Any gallbladder advise???

Hi everybody, As many of you know my 23 year old son had lap RNY 2 years ago. For the past year or so he has been suffering with stomach pains and has gone through bottles of Mallox like it was going out of style. Finally he has seen a doc...who after a few tests, has sent him to a surgeon for gallbladder surgery. His surgery will be next Tuesday morning. My question to those of you who had gallbladder surgery after WLS. How is the recovery time? Did you have the surgery as an out-patient or did it involve a hospital stay??? I was also wondering what kind of recovery time from work was needed. I realize that gallbladder problems seem to spring-up with rapid weight loss..I say, small price to pay, but it's not me having the surgery right??? Thanks, Ginger

I dont know about after wls, as I had my gallbladder removed about 5 years ago. It was done lab, and I came home same day. It was not too bad, just slightly uncomfortable. I will say a prayer for your son to have a quick recovery. love marie

Hi Ginger, I just had Lap gallbladder removal the first week of this month. I've four small incisions ... one below my right breast, two at my right waist, and the largest (maybe an inch long) just below my bellybutton. My surgery was originally scheduled as out-patient with a warning that the possibility existed it would end up needing to be done "open", necessitating a hospital stay. It turned out to be a routine Lap, though, and I was in out-patient hospital for about 8 hours total ... most of that waiting. I think my surgery was only about 45 mins long. My main problem was/is/alwayswillbe a worse than usual sensitivity to morphine ... I don't wake as readily as I should and my breathing gets overly depressed. I think I would have been out of there much sooner without that little wrinkle, because my cousin had hers done the same day and she was ready to go long before I was aware enough to. Recovery wasn't bad ... the first day or two was rough ... kind of weak feeling and fatigued. Pain was only in the bellybutton incision, and that was really sharp those first two days, but not intolerable ... I just walked around holding up my panni because it pulled so badly on that particular place. Truth is, if you son can have it Lap, and have it near a weekend, he'd more than likely not have to miss much work at all. Gallbladders do seem to go bad after WLS ... and I'm hearing alot about surgeons going on and removing them during the WLS surgery as a precaution. Certainly if left untreated stones can do damage if they migrate down into the ducts, especially if into the pancreatic duct. All the best to your son!! Myra

I had my gallbladder removed laproscopically (May 2005) and I was up that same evening walking around. I did experience some minor soreness and discomfort. I was back to exercising (full routine) within 10 days. Mary

I had my gallbladder out last Thursday, March 16th. It was able to be done lap. I was on the table at 7:30am and on my way home at 3pm. I am going back to work Monday, but half days. I am really tired and the surgeon said my stamina will be the problem.. Pain is nothing compared to the WLS. Best of luck to your son. Prayers for a speedy recovery. Terri