Was Your Gall Bladder Removed?

[nprcowboy 533]

Hi. I had heard that if you still had a gall bladder then it would be removed during the VSG surgery because of the high rate of gall stones with rapid weight loss. I had my pre-admission pre-op visit today, surgery 1 week from today. About 6 weeks ago, I called the bariatric center I work with and specifically asked if my gall bladder will be removed as I had hoped so and the gal there put me on hold to verify and she said yes. The reason I asked to be sure, was that I saw the insurance paperwork and mentioned an EGD, VSG, and liver biopsy but no gall bladder removal. SO I wanted to make sure it was being removed and I was told it will be and is part of the VSG entry for insurance ie: gall bladder removal is part of what they do in the procedure. Anyway, today the Physicians Asst that saw me as part of pre-op where I sign my surgery consent, said NO, it is not standard unless I had had gall bladder issues before. She said only like 10% develop issues but I had read it was like 60% or more hence why its standard to remove the gall bladder. Afterwards she tells me how it does "suck" as her sister was sleeved last year and 9 months later had to have her gall bladder removed.

How many of you had it removed (if you still had one) and how many had it left in and if so, any issues?

This bariatric center is becoming more incompetent by the day and my surgery is in a week. uggggg I just didn't want issues down the road which would be painful, cost more money and more lost work time. I cant really do anything now because if I raise a stink or ask for it, will delay my surgery (ie insurance re-approvals etc..)

thx

[stephh 634]

I just had surgery on 10/13 and my gallbladder was NOT removed. I was given a prescription for Ursodiol at my one week appointment to help my gallbladder keep from forming gallstones. I will be on this prescription for 6 months.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

I did not have my gall bladder removed. My surgeon says, and I agree, that it's unwise to remove a healthy, functioning part of your body just because it might start malfunctioning in the future.

[Elode 8,093]

@@nprcowboy My Surgeon won't take mine out either . He says it's not necessary if it's functioning properly. I worry About complications later too and I really don't want anymore scars on my stomach unless it's a tummy tuck! I guess we just have to trust them

[slvrsax 301]

I had my surgery in Mexico last December. I had an ultrasound in May of my gallbladder because I had a tiny bit of tenderness when pressed, sure enough I have stones. I've never had an attack, it is slightly tender to the touch but you really have to reef on it I have decided to have it removed next month. Surgeon said that judging by the size of my stones I probably had them for quite sometime before my VSG. Having it removed is optional given that I'm having no symptoms, I'm only having it removed because I've met my deductible for the year.

[Melissayw816 62]

I too was told that there was no need to remove a healthy gallbladder I asked why not just kill two birds with one stone and remove now rather than later because I would I hate to miss more days out from work when problems start arising...so yes I still have my gallbladder

[nprcowboy 533]

thanks folks for the replies. Yeah I have also hit my max out of pocket for insurance. I guess I'll hope for the best and mention to the surgeon about maybe getting that Ursodiol stuff. thanks all!

[rdelly01 25]

I'm having surgery in December .... Mine is being removed but only because I've had problems with it in the past! ... My doctors office only removes it if you have a history of gallbladder issues.

[BitterSweet* 835]

A healthy organ won't be removed automatically. That's correct. The key to this process is determining if in fact your gallbladder IS healthy. That is determined by having LFTs (liver function tests) drawn and an EGD pre-op. The confirming test is an ultrasound of the gallbladder.

Gall disease must be assumed to be present, and ruled out through those tests / diagnostics. If those things have not been done, the "healthy organ" argument goes out the window, because they are only assuming there's no issue with it because you are asymptomatic.

The fact is, obese people have fatty livers. Fatty livers affect bile production, which in turn affects the gallbladder - which is where bile is stored. Many obese people have sludge and stones in their gallbladders and yet they are completely asymptomatic; rapid weight loss and dietary changes will turn that asymptomatic, diseased organ into a a nightmare.

My tip to you is to advocate for yourself. Find out the specific things that have been done to rule out a diseased gallbladder. If nothing has been done, nicely demand it. It may save you another surgery in the near future. Good luck to you!

[Forsythia 882]

This is a thing? I don't have an appendix. But that was removed in 1983 when I was 6. My gall bladder is fine and still inside my body.

[Dmclaren83 21]

I'm worried because I had stones pre-surgery, but they felt it wasn't safe to remove at the time of surgery. I'm hoping mine doesn't act up, and if it does, it's cut asap.

[veronicalynnnnnnn 35]

I had my gallbladder removed when I was sleeved 10/29. I can't tell if my issues are due to sleeve or no longer having a gallbladder. But I'm sick every time I eat no matter how small and also have become lactose intolerant

[robga999 129]

mine was removed with vsg.I had gall stones and soreness.i never had an attack but it always bothered me.my dr said if its right there when he goes in he would remove it.

[Forsythia 882]

@@veronicalynnnnnnn Lots of people become lactose intolerant post sleeve. Not sure why. You might find that things like cheese or yogurt are okay but milk is the devil. You might try soy or almond milk if that is the case.

[slvrsax 301]

I just had my gallbladder removed this past Thursday, I found out I had stones back in May. The blocked gas in my shoulders was worse than my incisions. I didn't have any gas with my sleeve (done in TJ). I'm recovering well. I am 11 months out from sleeve and 110 lbs down.