Gall Bladder Issues - Please share!

[jadama22 110]

Hi Everyone,

So I am in the pre-op stages and I have several appointments already scheduled for April and May - I'm predicting that my surgery will be sometime late June - early July.

I just did my ultrasound on Monday and my primary doctor called me today with the results and told me they found 2 polyps in my gallbladder - which I did know because the radiologist technician called the doctor in during the ultrasound to confirm. After speaking to my doctor, he told me that typically for gallbladder polyps larger than 1/2 inch (about 10mm) in diameter are more likely to be cancerous and anything below would most likely be benign. The two I have are 4 and 6. He said that it will be up to my surgeon to make the determination on whether it should be removed.

So I immediately jumped on line and began to research what is its function and would happen if it is removed and how life changes after. What I found is that it may or may not change for some. The removal of a gallbladder can cause digestive issues with an increase of bowel movements and diarrhea. In my mind - I'm like "oh brother - really"

If anyone has had this procedure done along with WLS or without, please share.

Thanks!

[della street 213]

@jadama22 I had my g/b removed over 20 years ago -- had bypass surgery two months ago, so I've been w/o my g/b for a long time. Felt so much better after its removal, never noticed any iota of difference bowel-wise, etc. Of course, everyone's different, but that's my experience -

[Destiny61 29]

I had my gall bladder removed last april and I had no change in my body at all. I ate the same food no issue. Had sleeve done this march 19th and everything is going well. Hope that helps you.

[Babbs 14,681]

I had mine removed about 5 years ago as an emergency surgery. Doctor called it one of the "sickest" gall bladders he has seen. I also had some complications. I developed an abscess,and had to have a drain for 6 weeks. Then they discovered my bile duct was leaking, so they put a stent in until it healed. Aside from all that, once I healed I did have diarrhea off and on for about a year after. It really is a pretty low complication surgery, I just happen to be one of the lucky 1% to have complications.

[deedee19625 31]

Hi I was sleeved 5 weeks ago I also had my gallbladder removed because of a 9 mm polyp . I don't have any issues without my gallbladder. Hope that helped and good luck to you

[LiberalInAZ 10]

I had my Gallbladder removed about 3 weeks ago after a gallstone got stuck in the common bile duct and caused acute pancreatitis. The worst part was spending four days in the hospital. I was sore for a few days, but nothing a little tylenol couldn't fix. My diet hasn't changed since then and I haven't had any digestion problems at all.

[no onions 258]

Had my gallbladder removed many years ago. Surgery was fine.

I did experience something like "dumping" syndrome when I would eat. It's called bile acid malabsorption or bile salts diarrhea. Many people do not have this complication, but it sucks if you do. For me and many others it is totally treatable with medication. I take cholestryamine and It works wonders! Best of luck to you.