Was your gallbladder removed?

[Duckman]

He patiently explained that I didn't need it, it was likely to go south, and removing a potential cause of pain in a post-DSer's differential diagnosis for abdominal pain was a good thing (ditto the appendix). I had both of mine out during my DS.

Interesting. I was wondering about getting the appendix out since they'd already be in there. I'll ask Srikanth in two weeks if that's an option for me.

 

[Txkat]

They did not remove mine. It really depends on the doctor. I had to have mine taken out 5 months later, though, Apparently losing a lot of weight really fast can piss off your gall bladder to no end.

 

[Jbandmmomma]

Both my gallbladder and appendix were left in. I wanted them out - surgeon said no and that insurance would frown on taking out otherwise 'healthy' GB. I'm over 2 years out and just yesterday had an episode of what I firmly believe was GB pain from a stone moving through the duct. I've got an appointment to discuss with surgeon later this week. I don't want another abdominal surgery, but I ESPECIALLY don't want an emergency GB removal.

 

[galaxygrrl]

If you leave it in, you need to take Actigal while you lose weight. Actigal prevents gall stones.

Here is a thread that discusses the choice. http://bariatricfacts.org/threads/medical-tourism-insurence-questions.4484/

 

[Stefanie S.]

Mine was removed during the DS op. The pre-op screening showed sludge in there, and a good sized stone that was not yet bothering me, but likely would. Happy to have it yanked through the main lapro incision. I haven't missed it once.

And suddenly I understand why one of my incisions is much bigger and more painful!

 

[Stefanie S.]

For women, there is a fifth "F" - fertile.

I actually argued a bit with Rabkin about taking out a "perfectly healthy" gallbladder (even though I had had a couple of what were probably gallbladder "attacks" over the years, without visible stones). He patiently explained that I didn't need it, it was likely to go south, and removing a potential cause of pain in a post-DSer's differential diagnosis for abdominal pain was a good thing (ditto the appendix). I had both of mine out during my DS.

I had not heard about the appendix being a standard removal. Is it common to have a ruptured appendix with rapid weight loss too? ... Mine is still in...

 

[Stefanie S.]

Both my gallbladder and appendix were left in. I wanted them out - surgeon said no and that insurance would frown on taking out otherwise 'healthy' GB. I'm over 2 years out and just yesterday had an episode of what I firmly believe was GB pain from a stone moving through the duct. I've got an appointment to discuss with surgeon later this week. I don't want another abdominal surgery, but I ESPECIALLY don't want an emergency GB removal.

Oh no! What was the outcome?

 

[Clematis]

One of our members here had her DS February 2016. She begged her doc to remove GB but he refused to remove a healthy organ. He said he believed only 10% of WLS patients have GB issues. (wrong!) She ended up in ER last week with gallstones and is having GB as I type this.

 

[Stefanie S.]

One of our members here had her DS February 2016. She begged her doc to remove GB but he refused to remove a healthy organ. He said he believed only 10% of WLS patients have GB issues. (wrong!) She ended up in ER last week with gallstones and is having GB as I type this.

Yeah, Duke told us in our classes that only 30% have GB issues so they leave gallbladder in... however, to my surprise, Dr. Sudan said he always takes GB out for DS.

 

[DianaCox]

I was told many years ago that anytime a surgeon was in the neighborhood, s/he would remove the appendix, as it does nothing for you, and can be a bad thing if something goes wrong. I had two abdominal surgeries (at age 22 and again at age 46) in which the surgeon attempted to locate and remove my appendix, but couldn't find it. I then had a barium enema study done, which located my appendix as being retrocecal (up high on the cecum and under my liver). When I had my DS a few years later, I brought the X-rays to Rabkin, and he went out of his way to locate and remove my appendix.

 

[Stefanie S.]

I was told many years ago that anytime a surgeon was in the neighborhood, s/he would remove the appendix, as it does nothing for you, and can be a bad thing if something goes wrong. I had two abdominal surgeries (at age 22 and again at age 46) in which the surgeon attempted to locate and remove my appendix, but couldn't find it. I then had a barium enema study done, which located my appendix as being retrocecal (up high on the cecum and under my liver). When I had my DS a few years later, I brought the X-rays to Rabkin, and he went out of his way to locate and remove my appendix.

I don't know much about the appendix, but guess I should study up. Sounds like you had a great surgeon who listened to you!