Gall bladder - does it stay?

[everpositive]

Hi people,

I've read confusing information and just wondered if anyone can clarify? Does the surgeon remove your gall bladder as a matter of course during the gastric bypass?

Thanks guys x

 

[alliecat]

Hi Claire,
Nope, this is considered on an individual basis but I think you will find most of the bypassers on here still have their gall bladders intact!

 

[tesmaralda]

This was one of the questions I asked at my 1st appt, I was told that they examine the gall bladder at the time of surgery and see if there are any signs of gall stones if so they remove it, as some people had more complications from the gall bladder op than wls. Its something you need to ask you consultant about as it depends on the individual surgeon.

 

[charliegirl]

I still have mine...xx

 

[phatgirl]

I asked really nicely if my surgeon would remove it because it gave me problems in the past but since I do not have gallstones, he refused. So I still have mine...

 

[tammy]

mine stayed don't think where i ahd mine done the routinely remove them. best to ask you surgeon what they do though x

 

[actionfish]

My surgeon didn't remove my gall bladder, but I am going to be placed on medication which will prevent gall stones from forming.

 

[wobbles]

In all the information i received from my surgeon, i read that everyone gets their gall bladder removed. And was told that mine too would be removed during surgery. However, until i see him on dec 22nd, i don't know if i am gallbladderless or not, and i know for sure that the other girl who had surgery the same day as me still has hers. I think it depends on each surgeon, and each individual patient.

 

[Silversurfer]

There is a couple of reasons why they do not remove the gall bladder as a matter of course:
Firstly the extra cost !

Secondly i was told that if they examine and decide to remove the gall bladder its done first before the bypass, if they experience any leakage into the chest cavity removing the gall bladder they cannot continue with the bypass and have to close up, and re operate at a later date when the risk of infection has passed, so it was explained to me - image if you'd gone through the pre op diet, the stress of having an op and then they wake me up feeling like crap and tell me "actually we couldn't do the op" how disapointed would i be !

They do however examine it closely and if there are any signs of gall stones or the potential for them, then they may remove it !

 

[phatgirl]

That sounds pretty reasonable, I guess that's why I still have mine!