Advice Needed on Having Gall Bladder Surgery After Lapband

[Mandie 0]

I am looking for advicve on having gall bladder surgery after having Lapband. I went to the dr a month ago, then after numerous dr's, er trip and finally a hyda scan they figured out that my gall bladder is not working properly and to eliminate the pain and all is to remove it. I am opting to remove i. I go on the 30th of Oct for a pre op appt, so until then I have horrific pain the dr won't do nothing about. To people who have had their gall bladder out before, when they do the surgery did they do the laproscopic or open surgery? I have been ready online that if you have had previous stomach surgery they won't do laproscopic only open due to scar tissue, but then I have seen blogs of people who had laproscopic done. I'm confused. Lol. Also do they unfill your band? I have the realize band with 5.5cc's in it. And is the aftermath recovey pretty simple? I had my band put in on June 17th, but I had a surgery earlier that month on my leg, so I am use to having surgeries, but with them being so close is going to be another story. Someone help. Lol. :thumbup:

[katklaws 0]

I had the gall bladder out 1 month before the lapband, and both were laproscopic. And I had 2 c-sections, 4 and 6 years ago. I'm sure there was some scar tissue, but my doctor likes to avoid open surgery. Hope yours does too.

I am looking for advicve on having gall bladder surgery after having LAP-BAND®. I went to the dr a month ago, then after numerous dr's, er trip and finally a hyda scan they figured out that my gall bladder is not working properly and to eliminate the pain and all is to remove it. I am opting to remove i. I go on the 30th of Oct for a pre op appt, so until then I have horrific pain the dr won't do nothing about. To people who have had their gall bladder out before, when they do the surgery did they do the laproscopic or open surgery? I have been ready online that if you have had previous stomach surgery they won't do laproscopic only open due to scar tissue, but then I have seen blogs of people who had laproscopic done. I'm confused. Lol. Also do they unfill your band? I have the realize band with 5.5cc's in it. And is the aftermath recovey pretty simple? I had my band put in on June 17th, but I had a surgery earlier that month on my leg, so I am use to having surgeries, but with them being so close is going to be another story. Someone help. Lol.

[kiz 1]

My surgeries were reversed too. Laparscopic gall bladder surgery years ago and laparscopic band surgery last year. It wasn't even a concern to have a second lap surgery. My scars from my gall bladder surgery are tiny. I can't imagine one affecting the other. Also, they can't give you anything for the pain? I cannot believe they won't give you something to take during an attack. The pain was unbelievable during an attack, and my doctor gave me a prescription med to take. The good news is the recovery was quick for me. I had a newborn that I was nursing, so no handing off baby during feedings, and I got along just fine.

If your prone to vomiting after anesthesia ask for a patch (I think it's for motion sickness) and a shot (not sure what was in it) to reduce stomach upset after surgery. I got sick the first two times I had anesthesia. For my band surgery I was given a patch and shots after surgery, and I was barely queasy.

[Mandie 0]

I didn't understand either when I asked the doctor for some kind of meds for when things get bad. All she would tell me is she don't give out pain meds until after she does a surgery. When I told her I don't need no drug pain meds I just need something to help ease it. She kept saying she won't give me nothing. She told me to keep taking Ibprofen, well, I have been doing that for a month now and it is not helping no more, but now she is on vacation and I can't get no type of help. I am contiplating switching dr's, if she is telling me this before surgery I can imagin what she will tell me after and I have problems. My husband wants me to go to the dr that did my lapband, but since we moved she is 3 hours away, but she is awsome. I am not sure how this dr is about open surgeries. I seen her 1 time, I hope she won't have to do open surgery, makes me nervous. I know when we go for the preop and she says something my husband don't like I will be driving 3 hours to my surgeon. Lol. I can see it happening already. Lol.

[kiz 1]

I would listen to your husband and call your band doctor. That's crazy that she won't give you meds for pain with gall bladder problems. There's a chance you'll have to have your band fill removed from your band anyway, so that would make things easier.

If I remember right, I saw the doctor that did the gall bladder surgery three times. Once for the diagnosis, once for the surgery, and once to get staples removed from one of the incisions (it was pre-glue times). I had two full out gall stone attacks before I saw her, and the pain was almost unbearable. She gave me a pain med that was safe for nursing mothers, but strong enough that it knocked me out. She scheduled my surgery fairly fast, because my gall bladder was full of stones, and I ended up needing the meds she gave one time, and thank God I had it.

[DianaG 0]

I also had my gall bladder out before the lap band(same surgeon did both). In fact it was taken out in 1998. It was done laproscopically also. I have had other abdominal surgeries that were open (appendectomy and hysterectomy).

I know that scar tissue builds up in the abdomin after any of these surgeries, but it must not have bothered my surgeon because he did not mention it after he put in the lap band.

So unless something unusual is going on, I can't see why they would want to do an open surgery on you.

Also, I was in a lot of pain with my gall bladder attacks and never once was I refused pain medication. They usually prescribed a generic hydrocodone/tylenol for the pain and it really helped a lot. If it makes you nauseous, they can give you phenergan for that. The hydrocodone/tylenol in liquid form is what the surgeon gave me after the lapband.

Sure hope you get some help soon. Do you have regular doctor you could see for some help with the pain?

You might seriously consider finding another surgeon like your husband suggested.

Good luck to you.

[Enchanted 2]

I'd definitely see another doctor - at least for a second opinion. And since you loved your lapband doc, it makes most sense to start there - and if they can't care for you, they can refer you to someone who will.

Good luck.

[klutzyazhel 0]

Mine came out the same time the lapband went in. I asked him to do so as I had had issues with mine in the past and didn't want to chance another surgery when It could come out at the same time..

[Jessica Wren 0]

Hello,

I had my gallbladder and appendix removed just shy of my 1st year anniversary to my lap band surgery. My doctor used two of the incisions from my lap band surgery and then a new one in my belly button. He also changed out my port in a lower profile because it was sticking out really bad and was bothersome. He did put the fliud back in my band but put too much in and I ended up having to go to the ER to remove it. He said he put the same amount I had in but with the new port it might have been different. The recovery was a little easier then the lap band surgery I think. I was more sore and had a harder time moving around. Although I was off longer for the gallbladder and appendix surgery. Most of my pain I had before surgery went away. (I had a horrible pain in my side almost everytime I ate or worked out) Now it just comes and goes every once and awhile. I am very glad I had everything removed. Although it did but a damper in my weight loss. I am back on track now and couldn't be more excited!