Guest guest Posted August 24, 2003 Report Share Posted August 24, 2003 My gallbladder is still fine, but I was wondering if anyone knows if I can have it removed as a preventative measure, or do I have to wait until I have stones or a full-blown attack? =================================== It is very doubtful that a surgeon will take a healthy gallbladder out on the off chance you may develop gallbladder disease in the future. What doctors will do prophylactically (sp) are mastectomies and hysterectomies if there is a strong family history of breast, ovarian or uterine cancer. I had my gallbladder removed about 10 months before my wls, but my wls surgeon had my friends have theirs checked. If it was healthy, it stayed in. Regina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2003 Report Share Posted August 25, 2003 Yes, they will remove a breast or a uterus for the frivolous reason of the " possibility " or familial traits....pardon me, but when have you ever heard of a prophylactic removal of testicles because there is testicular cancer in the family? Gasp! Why do you suppose? The question is rhetorical, and not meant to stir anyone up! Just a bit of steam escaping....SSSSSSSsssssssssssssssssssssss now that feels better! Regards~ Jacque It is very doubtful that a surgeon will take a healthy gallbladder out on the off chance you may develop gallbladder disease in the future. What doctors will do prophylactically (sp) are mastectomies and hysterectomies if there is a strong family history of breast, ovarian or uterine cancer. I had my gallbladder removed about 10 months before my wls, but my wls surgeon had my friends have theirs checked. If it was healthy, it stayed in. Regina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2003 Report Share Posted August 25, 2003 Could it be for the same reason they were pushing to have Viagra covered by insurance when it first came out, whereas birth control was not??? in NJ *********************** > Yes, they will remove a breast or a uterus for the frivolous reason of the " possibility " or familial traits....pardon me, but when have you ever heard of a prophylactic removal of testicles because there is testicular cancer in the family? Gasp! Why do you suppose? > > Regards~ > > Jacque Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 26, 2003 Report Share Posted August 26, 2003 My surgeon doesn't remove gallbladders if they look healthy, but does give his patients Actigall for a period of time after surgery. If someone has gallstones he'll try to remove the gallbladder at the time of surgery. However, he wouldn't guarantee that he'd do it; if the anatomy was difficult, if he couldn't reach things easily through the RNY incision (he only does open) or it would have meant drastically prolonging the surgery he'd leave the gall bladder alone and plan to do a lap removal later, after healing from RNY. I knew I had stones--had had them for at least 18 years--with occasional but not frequent attacks, so discussed this with him during pre-op visits. When he saw me briefly right before surgery I reminded him about the gallbladder and he got a little testy, said he'd do the best he could to get it out but couldn't guarantee he could do it and give me a " freebie. " I was a little offended at his use of the word " freebie, " since he certainly gets paid generously for the surgery, but of course you don't want to argue with someone minutes before he cuts you open! Fortunately, things went well and he was able to remove my gallbladder. After worrying for 18 years that it could blow up on me, but being too nervous to get it out when it wasn't really making me sick, it was a big relief to have it finally gone. Celia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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