Gallbladder removal

shelly2020 · April 1, 2008

Hi,

I'm new to this board. I had my consultation 2 weeks ago. I was all set to start my LapBand journey when all of the sudden a horrible gallbladder attack sidelined me. I thought I would be able to have my GB removed when I got Banded, but my surgeon said, no. He said I have to have my GB removed first. Now I'm wondering if I should get a second or third opinion rather than go through 2 surgeries.

Anyone out there had a similar experience? (I have avaided fatty foods for a month and have not had another attack since then.)

Any input at all would help. I like my surgeon, and have a lot of faith in him, but don't want to have to have 2 surgeries if there is any way to avoid it.

Looking forward to hearing from someone soon.

Thanks!

Shelly

Turler · April 1, 2008

He is right. Your Gall Bladder must come out first and not at the same time as your Band goes in.

If you were to have them done at the same time, you risk Fluid from the gall bladder leaking into the abdominal cavity. This starts a chain reaction from your body that will send your body into fighting mode. It would attack the Band as a foreign object and then the trouble would begin. I don't know if any surgeons do them together, it would be pretty risky. I would rather do the separate surgeries, than risk losing the band. That sure would defeat all the waiting you've done for this!

Also, the gall bladder would need to come out first because rapid weight loss can/will cause gall stones. You wouldn't want to make an already sick gall bladder sicker.

I am not a doctor. This is how it was explained to me had I needed to have my GB out. You should always get another opinion if you are in doubt or question your current doctor. Sorry your doctor didn't explain all this to you.

~C

Long2BFree · April 1, 2008

My doctor also said he would not remove the gallbladder at the same time as doing the Lap-Band. The reason was because of infection.

taz · April 1, 2008

Same here. I had to have my gallbladder out in Jan then wait a month to be banded. He said the same. Possible infection. The good thing is at least the insurance paid for the gallbladder.

shelly2020 · April 1, 2008

Thanks for all the input. Infection, etc...actually was the way he explained his decision. I actually feel better now that I've seen that others have had similar situation.

Thanks again!