I JUST GOT A CALL

    Thay called me from Dr.Shina's office today and said my gallbladder was bad. and ask me if i wanted to have  it removed, but if i did thay would have to put my gastric bypass surgery off or i can wait and do the gallblader surgery later what would you do?

hi, Why can't they remove it during your surgery?

Same here. I had my first gall bladder attack May 11 and I thought  was going to die.  My weight loss surgery is scheduled for June 15th. While at the hospital on May 11. I had an upper GI and ultrasound and it confirmed gallstones. I called Ana at Dr. Shina's office and they told me the same thing they told you.  They can't do the GB removal at the same time as the gastric bypass unless it is an open incision. Some thing about the instruments in the wrong position. They would remove my GB at the same time as my gastric bypass if I would let them do an open incision. I don't want that large scar nor the delay in recovery. I decided to go ahead with the gastric bypass by laprascopy because I have been working on this for over two years and it took forever to get it approved.  My GB has stones and it could flare at any time. I read somewhere that 30% of the weight loss surgeries get gall bladder problems after surgery. I just know now before WLS that I have to have it out at a later date.  Dr. Shina's office said he could do it later like 6-8 months post op.  I have been watching the fried food, eggs, high cholerterol foods and bacon and it hasn't bothered me again.  I'm going to be on a stricter diet after surgery so with all that considered I am not loosing my place in the upcoming surgeries. I will also do better having the GB surgery when I weigh less and they can do it laprascopic also. This is your decision though and you should make it after consulting your doctors.  This is what I decided to do and why. Good luck no matter what you decide.

          Annie thank you i think the same way as you.Im not   giving my spot up im going on with my gastric bypass   surgery.I will have the gallbladder surgery later.                                                            Thank you so much                                                                   Darlene

wow, I was suprised to read this post about not taking the GB out at the same time unless it's open? I was actually in surgery with Dr. Sonnanstine when he removed the GB while doing the bypass, laparoscopically.   it's right there under the liver near the area where they are working..did you actually speak to the surgeon about this? There are many docs who can do this surgery but also prefer not to do both at the same time unless it's absolutely necessary.  There is always risk in any surgery so by doing a second surgery at the time only raises that risk factor.   most surgeons would rather pass on taking out the gallbladder at the time they do the bypass.  Then go back later once you are healed.... I just wanted to make the statement that doing a laparoscopic bypass and remove the gallbladder isn't impossible..just not prefered. Brenda

I've dressed in scrubs and sat in surgery during several gall bladder operations.  Its my job to accompany felons to the hospital for many different medical procedures.   Different doctors do different things but mine does not do it unless it is an open incision. This is the standard reply his office gives. I guess they can if they want to keep the patient in surgery under anesthesia that much longer and then swap instruments. Was the GB removal you refer to a high risk obesity patient?

yes it was a high risk patient.....but he did do the GB and bypass both laparoscopically..first the bypass then went right into the GB.. Interesting job Annie, I bet you have some stories to tell!!