Guest guest Posted May 10, 2001 Report Share Posted May 10, 2001 Pam, I had my gallbladder removed last Oct. I got sooo sick and kept having attacks. They thought it was my heart at first but confused it with gallbladder. I was pregnant and 22 weeks along. I just found out I was having a boy, my father-in-law died and then the end of that week I met with a surgeon and had the surgery the next morning. I lost 17 lbs and was so sick that when I had the attacks I just wanted to die. I had some small gallstones. In the end, my son is now 4 months old and doing just fine. Having my gallbladder removed made my pregnancy alot better and I wasn't sick after that! Stefany Approved by Medical Mutual of Ohio for RYN Sending out application for Dr. in Columbus GALLBLADDER QUESTION Hi everyone, I have a question for those of you who had your gall bladder removed PRIOR to your surgery. What symptoms did you experience? In other words, what happened that caused you to have your gall bladder removed? I'm interested in hearing your responses!! Thanks!! Pam Pre-op in MD Dr. Vanguri Surgery date July 9, 2001 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2001 Report Share Posted May 10, 2001 Pam, I had my gallbladder removed last Oct. I got sooo sick and kept having attacks. They thought it was my heart at first but confused it with gallbladder. I was pregnant and 22 weeks along. I just found out I was having a boy, my father-in-law died and then the end of that week I met with a surgeon and had the surgery the next morning. I lost 17 lbs and was so sick that when I had the attacks I just wanted to die. I had some small gallstones. In the end, my son is now 4 months old and doing just fine. Having my gallbladder removed made my pregnancy alot better and I wasn't sick after that! Stefany Approved by Medical Mutual of Ohio for RYN Sending out application for Dr. in Columbus GALLBLADDER QUESTION Hi everyone, I have a question for those of you who had your gall bladder removed PRIOR to your surgery. What symptoms did you experience? In other words, what happened that caused you to have your gall bladder removed? I'm interested in hearing your responses!! Thanks!! Pam Pre-op in MD Dr. Vanguri Surgery date July 9, 2001 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2001 Report Share Posted May 10, 2001 My gallbladder/gallstone symptoms came off **quickly** a couple of years when we were camping with friends. I am usually a vegetarian, a low fat vegetarian, but on special occasions I allow myself to sample dishes that don't fall into this category. Phils biscuits and sausage gravy were famous for richness and taste and the smell permeated the campground. As I cooked my soy based 'breakfast links' and " Not quite eggs " I was feeling sorry for myself so I went over and mooched a couple of biscuits and gravy. Yum they were wonderful. About 3 hrs later my tummy started giving me some gassy pain, then pain on my right side under the ribcage then general pain everywhere in the tummy area. One of the other campers in our group was an ER room nurse so about 3PM I went ot inquire if " The nurse is in??' She was if she didn't have to be too sober....and I told her my symptoms. I feared a ruptured appendix as I had went through that with my son and it was scary. She said that if I had come into her ER she would have sent me directly to radiology for a look at the gall bladder, then referred me to a general surgeon. The following monday I was at my PCP with the story and he agreed, the following friday I was in surgery having the gall bladder out. I had lovely pearl sized gall stones that my usual low fat diet didn't hassle to much. The unexpected influx of rich and fatty food set the gall bladder off into Whoopee land. I had a lap gall bladder removal and was back to work in 2 weeks. The End elle in oregon, BMI 37, 255#, 58YO, 5'9 " , s DS sometime this summer, waiting for my sleep study on June 14 pamjams2@... wrote: snip > What symptoms did you experience? In other words, what happened that > caused > you to have your gall bladder removed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2001 Report Share Posted May 10, 2001 --- I have not had my gallbladder out yet, but I hope to when I have surgery. I have had gallstones for about 12 years. I have had several gallbladder attacks and they but they are usually only about once a year (knocking on wood). They come anywhere from 5 minutes after I eat to three hours after I eat, and they last anywhere from 3 hours to three days. They are soooooo painful. The pain for me is right at the top of my stomach. It is a burning aching constant pain that penitrates all the way through to my back. After the attack is over I am usually sore on the upper right side. I cant wait to get mine out. I have always put the surgery off thinking I will lose some weight first. I have finally realized I am not going to lose the weight so if I am going to let them cut me open for that I might as well get ds at the same time. Shirley In duodenalswitch@y..., pamjams2@a... wrote: > Hi everyone, > > I have a question for those of you who had your gall bladder removed PRIOR to > your surgery. > > What symptoms did you experience? In other words, what happened that caused > you to have your gall bladder removed? > > I'm interested in hearing your responses!! > > Thanks!! > > > > Pam > Pre-op in MD > Dr. Vanguri > Surgery date July 9, 2001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2001 Report Share Posted May 11, 2001 I'm new to the list, my name is Lynette. I want to have wls and I think I've decided to have the duodenal switch. I don't want to have my gall bladder removed though. Is this absolutely necessary? Re: GALLBLADDER QUESTION > --- > > I have not had my gallbladder out yet, but I hope to when I have > surgery. I have had gallstones for about 12 years. I have had > several gallbladder attacks and they but they are usually only about > once a year (knocking on wood). They come anywhere from 5 minutes > after I eat to three hours after I eat, and they last anywhere from 3 > hours to three days. They are soooooo painful. The pain for me is > right at the top of my stomach. It is a burning aching constant pain > that penitrates all the way through to my back. After the attack is > over I am usually sore on the upper right side. > I cant wait to get mine out. I have always put the surgery off > thinking I will lose some weight first. I have finally realized I am > not going to lose the weight so if I am going to let them cut me open > for that I might as well get ds at the same time. > > Shirley > > In duodenalswitch@y..., pamjams2@a... wrote: > > Hi everyone, > > > > I have a question for those of you who had your gall bladder > removed PRIOR to > > your surgery. > > > > What symptoms did you experience? In other words, what happened > that caused > > you to have your gall bladder removed? > > > > I'm interested in hearing your responses!! > > > > Thanks!! > > > > > > > > Pam > > Pre-op in MD > > Dr. Vanguri > > Surgery date July 9, 2001 > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2001 Report Share Posted May 11, 2001 I'm new to the list, my name is Lynette. I want to have wls and I think I've decided to have the duodenal switch. I don't want to have my gall bladder removed though. Is this absolutely necessary? Re: GALLBLADDER QUESTION > --- > > I have not had my gallbladder out yet, but I hope to when I have > surgery. I have had gallstones for about 12 years. I have had > several gallbladder attacks and they but they are usually only about > once a year (knocking on wood). They come anywhere from 5 minutes > after I eat to three hours after I eat, and they last anywhere from 3 > hours to three days. They are soooooo painful. The pain for me is > right at the top of my stomach. It is a burning aching constant pain > that penitrates all the way through to my back. After the attack is > over I am usually sore on the upper right side. > I cant wait to get mine out. I have always put the surgery off > thinking I will lose some weight first. I have finally realized I am > not going to lose the weight so if I am going to let them cut me open > for that I might as well get ds at the same time. > > Shirley > > In duodenalswitch@y..., pamjams2@a... wrote: > > Hi everyone, > > > > I have a question for those of you who had your gall bladder > removed PRIOR to > > your surgery. > > > > What symptoms did you experience? In other words, what happened > that caused > > you to have your gall bladder removed? > > > > I'm interested in hearing your responses!! > > > > Thanks!! > > > > > > > > Pam > > Pre-op in MD > > Dr. Vanguri > > Surgery date July 9, 2001 > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2001 Report Share Posted May 11, 2001 Dr. Gagner in nyc doesnt remove the gall bladder at the time of the Ds if it is a healthy one... for your information,,,if you are in nyc go see him he is the best karen lap/ds on june 5th with dr gagner nyc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2001 Report Share Posted May 11, 2001 Dr. Gagner in nyc doesnt remove the gall bladder at the time of the Ds if it is a healthy one... for your information,,,if you are in nyc go see him he is the best karen lap/ds on june 5th with dr gagner nyc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2001 Report Share Posted May 11, 2001 Lynette: No it is not necessary to have your gall bladder removed. Most surgeons do it as a matter of course thinking that it no longer serves the purpose for which it is intended after surgery and can indeed cause lots of problems. Some surgeons do not remove the gall bladder unless it is diseased. Most do regardless of its condition, however. Those surgeons who leave it need to give their patients Actigal (sp?) which neutralizes the bile salts which are created so they won't create problems. Most of us who have gone through cycles of weight loss and regain over many years have significant gall bladder problems anyway. I had never had any problem identified with mine but I was told that when they removed it it was full of small gravel like stones. Why do you want to keep yours? Regards. Joe Frost, old gentleman, not old fartSan , TX, 60 years oldSurgery 11/29/00 by Dr. Welker Lateral Gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch340 starting weight, currently 244http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Joe/joe.html Re: GALLBLADDER QUESTION> > > > ---> >> > I have not had my gallbladder out yet, but I hope to when I have> > surgery. I have had gallstones for about 12 years. I have had> > several gallbladder attacks and they but they are usually only about> > once a year (knocking on wood). They come anywhere from 5 minutes> > after I eat to three hours after I eat, and they last anywhere from 3> > hours to three days. They are soooooo painful. The pain for me is> > right at the top of my stomach. It is a burning aching constant pain> > that penitrates all the way through to my back. After the attack is> > over I am usually sore on the upper right side.> > I cant wait to get mine out. I have always put the surgery off> > thinking I will lose some weight first. I have finally realized I am> > not going to lose the weight so if I am going to let them cut me open> > for that I might as well get ds at the same time.> >> > Shirley> >> > In duodenalswitch@y..., pamjams2@a... wrote:> > > Hi everyone,> > >> > > I have a question for those of you who had your gall bladder> > removed PRIOR to> > > your surgery.> > >> > > What symptoms did you experience? In other words, what happened> > that caused> > > you to have your gall bladder removed?> > >> > > I'm interested in hearing your responses!!> > >> > > Thanks!!> > >> > >> > >> > > Pam> > > Pre-op in MD> > > Dr. Vanguri> > > Surgery date July 9, 2001> >> >> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2001 Report Share Posted May 11, 2001 Hi Lynette-- I am no expert, but my understanding is that there is a very high incidence of gall stones after this surgery, and the removal of the gall bladder is to prevent a very unpleasant and potentially deadly complication which will require a surgery somewhere down the road to correct. Gall stones can lodge in the common bile duct, cause a rupture, which releases very potent digestive juices into the abdomen where they DO NOT belong. Plus a problem in the common bile duct can have repercussions in the pancreas (sp?) which can also be lethal. Plus the only reason we have a gall bladder is to store up bile for use when we eat a large fatty meal. After surgery, we Can't eat a Large meal of any kind -- so why keep the potential problem bladder hanging out for no use? Nan E. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2001 Report Share Posted May 11, 2001 Hi Lynette-- I am no expert, but my understanding is that there is a very high incidence of gall stones after this surgery, and the removal of the gall bladder is to prevent a very unpleasant and potentially deadly complication which will require a surgery somewhere down the road to correct. Gall stones can lodge in the common bile duct, cause a rupture, which releases very potent digestive juices into the abdomen where they DO NOT belong. Plus a problem in the common bile duct can have repercussions in the pancreas (sp?) which can also be lethal. Plus the only reason we have a gall bladder is to store up bile for use when we eat a large fatty meal. After surgery, we Can't eat a Large meal of any kind -- so why keep the potential problem bladder hanging out for no use? Nan E. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2001 Report Share Posted May 11, 2001 Hi Lynette-- I am no expert, but my understanding is that there is a very high incidence of gall stones after this surgery, and the removal of the gall bladder is to prevent a very unpleasant and potentially deadly complication which will require a surgery somewhere down the road to correct. Gall stones can lodge in the common bile duct, cause a rupture, which releases very potent digestive juices into the abdomen where they DO NOT belong. Plus a problem in the common bile duct can have repercussions in the pancreas (sp?) which can also be lethal. Plus the only reason we have a gall bladder is to store up bile for use when we eat a large fatty meal. After surgery, we Can't eat a Large meal of any kind -- so why keep the potential problem bladder hanging out for no use? Nan E. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2001 Report Share Posted May 11, 2001 I think because I'd like to change the basic architecture of my body as little as possible. This is one of the reasons I like the switch better than the rny- with the switch, my stomach will work pretty much like its old self- like a stomach rather than like a funnel. I'm still trying to be with the repercussions of having a smaller bowel though. I am seeing lots about chlorophyll and special supplements. I even wonder if I can keep an extra foot of intestine! Clearly I'm in desperate need of a radical solution, but I'm not entirely happy about that. I'm going to my first informational meeting at Mt. Sinai on Monday, and of course I hope to have the surgery the Monday after that! Re: Re: GALLBLADDER QUESTION Lynette: No it is not necessary to have your gall bladder removed. Most surgeons do it as a matter of course thinking that it no longer serves the purpose for which it is intended after surgery and can indeed cause lots of problems. Some surgeons do not remove the gall bladder unless it is diseased. Most do regardless of its condition, however. Those surgeons who leave it need to give their patients Actigal (sp?) which neutralizes the bile salts which are created so they won't create problems. Most of us who have gone through cycles of weight loss and regain over many years have significant gall bladder problems anyway. I had never had any problem identified with mine but I was told that when they removed it it was full of small gravel like stones. Why do you want to keep yours? Regards. Joe Frost, old gentleman, not old fartSan , TX, 60 years oldSurgery 11/29/00 by Dr. Welker Lateral Gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch340 starting weight, currently 244http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Joe/joe.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2001 Report Share Posted May 11, 2001 I think because I'd like to change the basic architecture of my body as little as possible. This is one of the reasons I like the switch better than the rny- with the switch, my stomach will work pretty much like its old self- like a stomach rather than like a funnel. I'm still trying to be with the repercussions of having a smaller bowel though. I am seeing lots about chlorophyll and special supplements. I even wonder if I can keep an extra foot of intestine! Clearly I'm in desperate need of a radical solution, but I'm not entirely happy about that. I'm going to my first informational meeting at Mt. Sinai on Monday, and of course I hope to have the surgery the Monday after that! Re: Re: GALLBLADDER QUESTION Lynette: No it is not necessary to have your gall bladder removed. Most surgeons do it as a matter of course thinking that it no longer serves the purpose for which it is intended after surgery and can indeed cause lots of problems. Some surgeons do not remove the gall bladder unless it is diseased. Most do regardless of its condition, however. Those surgeons who leave it need to give their patients Actigal (sp?) which neutralizes the bile salts which are created so they won't create problems. Most of us who have gone through cycles of weight loss and regain over many years have significant gall bladder problems anyway. I had never had any problem identified with mine but I was told that when they removed it it was full of small gravel like stones. Why do you want to keep yours? Regards. Joe Frost, old gentleman, not old fartSan , TX, 60 years oldSurgery 11/29/00 by Dr. Welker Lateral Gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch340 starting weight, currently 244http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Joe/joe.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2001 Report Share Posted May 11, 2001 I think because I'd like to change the basic architecture of my body as little as possible. This is one of the reasons I like the switch better than the rny- with the switch, my stomach will work pretty much like its old self- like a stomach rather than like a funnel. I'm still trying to be with the repercussions of having a smaller bowel though. I am seeing lots about chlorophyll and special supplements. I even wonder if I can keep an extra foot of intestine! Clearly I'm in desperate need of a radical solution, but I'm not entirely happy about that. I'm going to my first informational meeting at Mt. Sinai on Monday, and of course I hope to have the surgery the Monday after that! Re: Re: GALLBLADDER QUESTION Lynette: No it is not necessary to have your gall bladder removed. Most surgeons do it as a matter of course thinking that it no longer serves the purpose for which it is intended after surgery and can indeed cause lots of problems. Some surgeons do not remove the gall bladder unless it is diseased. Most do regardless of its condition, however. Those surgeons who leave it need to give their patients Actigal (sp?) which neutralizes the bile salts which are created so they won't create problems. Most of us who have gone through cycles of weight loss and regain over many years have significant gall bladder problems anyway. I had never had any problem identified with mine but I was told that when they removed it it was full of small gravel like stones. Why do you want to keep yours? Regards. Joe Frost, old gentleman, not old fartSan , TX, 60 years oldSurgery 11/29/00 by Dr. Welker Lateral Gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch340 starting weight, currently 244http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Joe/joe.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2001 Report Share Posted May 14, 2001 > I'm new to the list, my name is Lynette. I want to have > wls and I think I've decided to have the duodenal switch. > I don't want to have my gall bladder removed though. Is this > absolutely necessary? Lynette, I felt the same way, but after thinking it over, I decided it was a good idea. No, I've never had any gallbladder or appendix problems, but after my DS surgeon carefully rearranges my insides to my advantage, do I really want a surgeon without much/any knowledge of my procedure messing about in there? Not this kiddo.. and I felt as strongly as you seem to until I started really thinking about the pros & cons. One BIG reason to get it out is ADHESIONS.. the more often your abdomen is opened up, the bigger the possibility of adhesions. Say you keep your gallbladder, then 2 years post-DS you get a gallbladder attack & your doc says surgery. Then he says they'll do it lap.. but when they get inside, they can't see around all the adhesions, & have to convert to an open procedure. That will mean a longer recovery & more scarring. And more pain. A high pain tolerance, I don't have. The scars don't worry me near as much as more pain does.. so I'm having BOTH my gallbladder AND appendix out when I have my DS.. If it really bugs you, discuss it with your DS surgeon at your first consult.. Its still your decision.. but I have to side with Tom & Joe on this one.. better to have them out. Just my .02.. Hugs, Liane preop, 17 more days!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2001 Report Share Posted May 14, 2001 Hi Lynette, I wanted my gallbladder removed but Dr Herron at Mt Sinai says he only removes them if you have a history of stones. He said "if its not broke don't fix it". He said I would have to take actigall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2001 Report Share Posted May 14, 2001 Hi Lynette, I wanted my gallbladder removed but Dr Herron at Mt Sinai says he only removes them if you have a history of stones. He said "if its not broke don't fix it". He said I would have to take actigall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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