Question:
Why do some sergeons leave gallbladder and some remove it?
I believe my surgeon leaves the gallbladder unless he sees a current reason to remove it. My concern is that I see many people that end up having it removed later. Which is better? — [Anonymous] (posted on December 6, 2001)
December 6, 2001
I'm not sure but I think it has something to do with a surgeons code of
ethics. If the organ is healthy, then it's not ethical to remove it. That
is why most surgeons do the gal bladder ultrasound. Not everyone needs it
removed after weightloss ......so why fix it if it ain't broke?
— [Anonymous]
December 6, 2001
That is exactly what my surgeon told me when I asked if it could be removed
by request. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. There is probably only a
small percentage that have gallbladder troubles after WLS, so it is
probably better to let it remain unless there is a problem with it. Your
surgeon should have a gallbladder ultrasound done for you to check its
current health.
— Cheri M.
December 6, 2001
The reason why they may take it out during surgery if it is completely
filled with stones and you are already having problems related to it. If
they leave it, yes you will probably have to have it removed anyway because
of the massive change your body is going through following the surgery
(rapid weight loss). That's fine to have it removed at a later date
because then you can have your tummy tuck done at the same time and since
most insurances won't cover for a tummy tuck, the surgeon will be billing
under gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) and you can a tummy tuck at the
same time. Good luck. (RNY 60" distal 08/28/01 -57 lbs)
— trtorrey
December 7, 2001
Not only is it not ethical to remove a healthy organ, but the insurance
company won't pay for it.
— [Anonymous]
December 7, 2001
Actually, you may not get a choice. The whole gall bladder thing varies
from doctor to doctor. Some don't want to take it unless there are stones.
Others don't want to leave it to chance as it may impede recovery. I don't
think one way is necessarily better than the other. Of course, I had my
gall bladder taken out in Feb and I am pre-op.
And insurance companies WILL pay for it, even if there are no stones if
there is a valid reason. The whole healthy organ thing doesn't work. Most
insurance companies will NOT pay for an appendectomy if someone has been
operated on in the pelvis or abdomen in the past and the doc left it in.
Ask your doc which method he uses and why. Explain your concerns to him and
he should be able to put your worries to rest.
— Tina P.
December 7, 2001
I am pre-op and wasn't too happy when I heard my surgeon removes the
gallbladder. The thing is, I hear a fairly large number (upwards of 1/3)
or people who have WLS eventually have to have their gallbladder removed
anyway. So I think it's playing the odds, really. Have it removed during
WLS, or have a chance of a second surgery later. From what I have heard,
people who keep their gallbladder take medications to lessen the
possibility of of gall stones post-op, so do talk to your surgeon about
this. I almost wish I could make my surgeon let me keep mine just to see
if I would be okay. I think I can live with it though.
— [Anonymous]
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