Gall Bladder Removal

Hey Brothers. Sorry I haven't been around for awhile... life's been pretty hectic.    Got a question for the locker room... I'm down 151 pounds since my 8-22-07 RnY.  Several months ago, I had some pain episodes, so my doc did an endoscpoe (everything looked good), and an ultrasound (at least 2 gall stones). My doc said there was not a rush, but I might want to consider having my gall bladder out at some date in the future, and she would discuss at my next f/u visit. 2 weeks before that f/u, I had an episode with abdominal pain something fierce - it was worse than I remember after my RnY.  I couldn't even stand straight up.  It lasted for at least 12 hours, until I fell asleep sitting up (the only tolerable position).  In the morning it was gone. At my f/u, doc discussed the pros and cons, especially the part about how it's much easier to do the removal when thing AREN'T inflammed, or worse, infected.  It's done as an outpatient lap. procedure, home that evening, back to work after a couple days.  Sounds fairly routine - at least compared to the RnY. So my question for you guys that have had it removed:  Any downside(s) I might expect, that they don't tell you about in the glossy sales brochure?  TIA, Boxman    

I'm not positive about the recovery aspects of it but I know that you shouldn't have any trouble digesting food after you have it removed. It would be better to have it removed before it gets infected like your doc said or before you have some really severe episode that requires emergency surgery that can't always be done in lap form. I'd say get it out before it gets any worse. But that's just the nursing major speaking. Good luck to ya!

Thanks, Lance.  That's what I'm thinking too.  Many years ago, my older brother had to have his removed, in an emergency open procedure.  I do NOT want to go there!  The only downside my surgeon mentioned was that some people have loose stools afterward, but it is usually only temporary, until the body adjusts. My understanding is that if you stay away from high-fat meals - which I no longer have any business eating anyway - I should be OK.  Guess I'll find out - my surgery is scheduled for Thursday.

Yo Box! I had my GallBladder taken during my RNY surgery. No issues...... But, early on?

Post-Gallbladder removal & Diarrhea… Here’s some info on Bile Salt Diarrhea/gall bladder post-op info that I happened to have…..Clearly not on the glossy brochure. ------------------------------------------- Bile Salt Diarrhea is fairly rare.  Only about 5 to 10% of people having their gallbladders removed develop it.  And there’s no real evidence of it being any more of a problem for WLS patients having their gallbladders removed, than non-WLS patients. For most it goes away during the first several weeks. If it lasts for more than the first 3 months, it is likely to be a chronic (repeating again- VERY Rare) Condition.  The “good news” for those still having problems past 3 months? It is very controllable with preparations/medications. What causes it? That lack of G-Bladder to store the excess produced by the liver can (in very few people) create a condition by emptying excess bile salts between meals.  The extra bile salts can sometimes overpower the small intestines' ability to reabsorb them.  The extra moves straight on into the colon, and the bile acts like a laxative, leading to diarrhea.
One added frustration for those just experiencing Bile Salts Diarrhea is that there is not a specific diagnostic test for this condition. The Dr. can diagnose bile salt diarrhea by ruling out other possible causes of diarrhea such as infection, colitis, cancer, and others. It can be disconcerting because there is not an actual “Cure” for “Bile Salt Diarrhea.” But, there are several very effective treatments. The most common Prescription treatment/med is cholestyramine. On the market as- Locholest, Locholest Light, Prevalite, Questran, Questran Light. Also a pill form called Colestid. This is a bit of an issue for WLS patients because Cholestyramine gets in the way of, or decreases the absorption of vitamins.  Usually not a problem because it can be taken at a different time (by 3 hours) from Vitamin supplements. Some docs just recommend non-prescription, over the counter meds like Imodium in conjunction with Fiber supplements like Benefiber in order to get the non-constipation/diarrhea balance. Since most of those 5 to 10% of folks who do have diarrhea for the first 2 to 3 weeks post gallbladder surgery, most don’t receive any prescription treatment. The “Home-Remedy” of choice is soluble fiber. It soothes and regulates the digestive tract, stabilizes the intestinal contractions resulting from the gastrocolic reflex, and normalizes bowel function from either extreme.  That's right – soluble fiber prevents and relieves BOTH diarrhea and constipation.  Nothing else in the world will do this for you. The most common soluble fiber supplements are: Equalactin, FiberChoice, Fibersure, Benefiber, Metamucil, Konsyl, Fybogel, Citrucel, and Fibercon.  Most are widely available at drug stores.  Metamucil, Konsyl and Fybogel contain psyllium, Citrucel contains methylcellulose, Equalactin and Fibercon contains calcium polycarbophil, Benefiber contains wheat dextrin and both FiberChoice and Fibersure contain inulin.  These supplements are available as powders that you mix with water and drink, or as caplets that are either chewable or meant to be swallowed whole with a glass of water. If you're at all prone to bloating or gas (as many WLS Post-ops can be when eating certain foods) avoid both psyllium and inulin (the main ingredients in Metamucil, Konsyl, Fybogel, Fibersure, and FiberChoice), which can generate more gas. Simple Apple Pectin, like “Sure Jel” – http://www.kraftfoods.com/surejell/sj_index.html or any of those “Home-Made Jam/Jelly” additives are the absolute best at regulating bowel movements while keeping gas output low. How is Soluble Fiber both a laxative and anti-diarrhea solution? The "soluble" in soluble fiber means that it dissolves in water (though it is not digested).  This allows it to absorb excess liquid in the colon, preventing diarrhea by forming a thick gel and adding a great deal of bulk as it passes intact through the gut.  This gel (as opposed to a watery liquid) also keeps the GI muscles stretched gently around a full colon, giving those muscles something to easily "grip" during peristaltic contractions, thus preventing the rapid transit time and explosive bowel movements of diarrhea. By the same token, the full gel-filled colon (as opposed to a colon tightly clenched around dry, hard, impacted stools) provides the same "grip" during the muscle waves of constipation sufferers, allowing for an easier and faster transit time, and the passage of the thick wet gel also effectively relieves constipation by softening and pushing through impacted fecal matter.  If you picture your colon as a tube that is squeezing through matter via regular waves of contractions, it's easy to see how a colon filled with soluble fiber gel is beneficial for both sides of the ‘irregularity’ coin. Where does this Blah, Blah, Blah? Come from?  Mom has chronic Bile Salts Diarrhea! Uses Questran Light and it’s no problem.  Dad had a short bout after his gall bladder removal, but his went away after the first month. Hope this random info helps … Best Wishes- Dx

 

 

 

Thanks, Dx!  Great info!  You are truly the Locker Room's "Gastric Guru"  

I had my GB taken out in July 2004, with many of the same precipitating symptoms as you report.  In my case, my GB was also severely inflamed and infected (biliary colic can cause reflux of the germ-laden intestinal contents into the GB, causing an infection). It's preferable to remove a GB that isn't infected, but an infected GB isn't a contraindication to having it removed.  In my case, they put me on levofloxacin (Levaquin) and metronidazole (Flagyl) for a week before performing the surgery. Discomfort-wise, a lap cholecystectomy is like a mini-micro-RNY.  When you wake up from surgery, you still feel like you were hit by a truck, but it's a small truck.  You'll go home the same day or at worst the next day.  And you should be able to go back to work in a week or sooner. I never noticed *any* dietary issues post-op.  The only thing I DID notice was a negative; in other words, I never ever had a repeat performance of the pain of an acute GB attack.  That's it.  You're back to 95% at two weeks, and after a month, you forget that you've had the surgery. /Steve

Thanks, Steve.  I guess I'll put up with getting hit by a 'small' truck.  That would be better than when I had my recent episode.  Felt like Rocky Balboa had mistaken my belly for a side of frozen beef!   

I had mine out via scope about 10 years ago. It was a slam dunk. I went home the same day and actually went to work for the last half of the following day. Obviously, I have a desk job. If you run a jack hammer, you may have to wait slightly longer. I sometimes have some general nausea If eat too much fat and chocolate is a real killer. I can't speak to life with RNY and without a gall bladder because I'm still pre-op. I'm sure you'll do fine. God Bless.

Thanks, Mars and everybody for the advice.  I'll let you know how it comes out.  So to speak. 

I had mine removed one week prior to wls. I was found to have stones in my pre-op testing. The doc said I may not be having problems with but I would. As I remember it was a piece of cake. I was in and out in half a day and took it easy for the weekend and was back to work on Monday.  pan head