Gallbladder

[Season26 14]

Anyone have their gallbladder out recently. How did you feel afterwards as for the gallbladder symptoms? How was recovery?

[BeagleLover 1,020]

I had my gall bladder removed laparoscopically around 5 years ago. Recovery was a piece of cake. Took it easy, and didn't need any pain meds.

[BitterSweet* 835]

Once it's removed, the attacks of pain won't happen anymore. GI wise, it'll take a few months for your body to adjust without a gallbladder. If you eat high fatty foods you'll likely have a case of the BGs (bubble guts) and diarrhea. That too lessens with time.

Recovery after gallbladder removal isn't bad at all. Just abdominal soreness for a few days. I think I took pain pills for 2-3 days.

[Addawn 81]

I haven't had bariatric surgery yet, but I had my gallbladder out 2 years ago. Easiest recovery every...getting rid of gallbladder pain rocks!

[yllwrose 30]

I ended up in the ER 3 weeks ago with what turned out to be a gallbladder attack. They took it out...it was exactly 4 months from my sleeve surgery. Recovery was much easier that the WLS. I took two weeks off work, but I have a pretty physical job. Dr said I could have gone home same day, but because I live alone I opted to stay overnight as a precaution. So far I haven't had any real issues. I did have a soft taco from taco bell about a week after surgery and it went right through. Dr did warn that high fatty foods would do that. But my everyday diet and food choices have not caused any problems.

Good Luck!

[NikkiRX 6]

I was wondering about the gallbladder myself. Is it necessary to have it removed during WLS or after? How would you know that it has to be removed during WLS?

[BeagleLover 1,020]

@@NikkiRX, if I were in your shoes, I would go to my primary doctor and try to get the sonogram done to confirm it (if necessary). Then I would bring back the picture/report to the surgeon and ask if it's possible for it to be taken out at the same time. Best wishes!

[BitterSweet* 835]

Complain to your doctor that sometimes you have right sided abdominal pain after you eat. It'll prompt them to check your liver enzymes (LFTs), which helps determine the function of your gallbladder. If your lab result is abnormal, they'll do an ultrasound. If everything looks ok, then you can say, "Oh I guess it was just gas or indigestion!" If they find sludge or stones in your gallbladder, you will have saved yourself from a second surgery and it'll just get removed with the VSG. A little white lie never hurt anybody.

[LDallas 108]

I'm two yrs out from VSG. Had GB removed 6 mos ago. For me, the pain of that surg was much worse than sleeve surgery. I took no pain meds after VSG but had to after GB. Now I sometimes get weird pain in that area, but otherwise no problems.

Edited October 16, 2014 by LDallas