So Long Ms. Gallbladder!

Well, after several months of weird abdomonal pain, and a trip to the ER last Monday, I was diagnosed with gall stones and I had lapo surgery to have the gallbladder removed on Friday. My original bypass surgeon has moved out of the state, but I was blessed to be able to have the new replacement surgeon, Thomas Sonnastine, and he was awesome. Not only did he remove the gallbladder, but he also scoped my upper GI to check out my original RNY surgery. He said my original pouch and surgery looks perfect and just like it was originally done...meaning no damage, no stretching, etc. I received a clean bill of health on that and I'm soooo happy! I'm back at home and recoverying from the surgery and am doing well. I know that we are told ahead of time about the potential of gallbladder problems post surgery and that it's a chance we take, so it wasn't too unexpected. I just didn't understand or know how much the gallbladder can hurt! But it's nice to know that it's gone and I don't have to worry about it anymore. Same goes with drinking soda pop. I have taken to drinking diet root beer and there is such contraversy out here about drinking soda post surgery. Now, I waited till a full year AFTER my surgery before I even tried it, but it's great to know that it hasn't done any damage, stretching, or anything to my pouch. So, I guess it just goes to show that it doesn't really matter what happens to someone else, what is going to happen to you is based on YOU and your body. Party on, fellow RNY'rs!!

Glad to hear that you are now well. I watched my mom go through GB issues and I know from that experience that they really are quite painful.

Question...were you given any medication post-op to interfere with the build-up of stones?  I took a medication 2x a day for this and thought that I was safe. My surgeon explained that weight loss increases the chances of GB stones developing, hence his prescribing the meds.

Thanks,
Heather

Hi Heather! My surgeon discussed with me about taking a medication to reduce the gallstone risk, but due to side effects, etc., I decided against it. It was a risk I took...and lost.

So glad to hear you got that sucker outta you! I am having my RNY surgery on March 13th and i'm also having my gallbladder out at the same time thank goodness because I have had attacks in the past with my gallbladder and its no fun whatsoever. I seriously think its some of the worst pain ever! Did you have any gallstones in your bile duct?

I had my gall bladder removed at my rny too.  My doctor also discovered I had a hiatal hernia, damage to my esophagus and other problems caused by my band. She took out my remnant stomach due to the damage it had from the band and also so I won't have the hormonal component later on so many other peoole have later on when the stomach starts producing ghrellin again.

when you had your gallbladder out at hte same time as your rny did it take you a while to heal?

the incisions take a while but the only difference with just rny is I no longer had the gall bladder.  

So I will have the same thing. When your dr did your surgery did he scope to make sure u didnt have any in ur bile duct???

i didn't  have gall stones.  I had an ultra sound prior to surgery.

Oh okay so they just automatically removed your gallbladder then