Re: Why Galbladder removal?

[Guest guest]

,

Because of the rapid weight loss induced by the DS, gallstones are

almost inevitable. Therefore, if you do not have the gallbladder

removed during surgery, it is likely that you will need to have it

removed later. Most DS surgeons remove it at the time of surgery. A

few DS surgeons (mostly lap) do not remove it. If you really are

uncomfortable with loosing your gallbladder you can speak with your

surgeon. I think there are some medications that can help prevent

the formation of gallstones. Keep in mind that you gallbladder may

already be deseased from yo-yo diets of the past.

Hull

> I forgot to mention that during Dr. 's lecture he said it is

mandatory to

> remove the Gallbladder with the DS . This alarms me. I know that

the function

> of the gallbladder is to store bile until it is needed in the

digestive process,

> and I would prefer to keep it. It scares me to remove one of my

organs, as it

> was obviously put there for a reason and it seems dangerous to

remove it. Where

> will my bile be stored if I no longer have a gallbladder? I forgot

to ask Dr.

> why it is imperative to remove the gallbladder. Can anyone

shed any light

> on this for me? Particularly why it is necessary, and why it is

not considered

> dangerous to remove it.

>

> Thanks!

>

>

[Guest guest]

At 6:57 PM +0000 11/18/01, chull1@... wrote:

>,

>

>Because of the rapid weight loss induced by the DS, gallstones are

>almost inevitable.

I thought the incidence was between 25 and 40%. Maybe that qualifies

as " almost inevitable. "

>... If you really are

>uncomfortable with loosing your gallbladder you can speak with your

>surgeon. I think there are some medications that can help prevent

>the formation of gallstones.

Actigall (ursidiol = generic name). Dr. Elariny has us take it for

the first six months if we still have our gall bladders. Mine was

clear to ultrasound prior to lap surgery, so he left it in.

BTW, as to NASH for fatty liver, why not say it as the French do: " foie gras? "

--Steve

--

Steve Goldstein, age 61

Lap BPD/DS on May 2, 2001

Dr. Elariny, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Virginia

Starting (05/02/01) BMI = 51

BMI on 11/14 = 39 (-80 lb.)

[Guest guest]

The complications of stones--impacted stones--and infection aren't

worth keeping it. Remember--there is no need to store bile--as the

bile and enzymes are diverted to meet up so much later at the common

channel. The intestinal rerouting essentially take over the role of

the gallbladder. Just like the appendix--it is really rendered

uselees by the surgery. Having to go through another surgery 6mo to

a year later isn't worth it.

Pammi

> I forgot to mention that during Dr. 's lecture he said it is

mandatory to

> remove the Gallbladder with the DS . This alarms me. I know that

the function

> of the gallbladder is to store bile until it is needed in the

digestive process,

> and I would prefer to keep it. It scares me to remove one of my

organs, as it

> was obviously put there for a reason and it seems dangerous to

remove it. Where

> will my bile be stored if I no longer have a gallbladder? I forgot

to ask Dr.

> why it is imperative to remove the gallbladder. Can anyone

shed any light

> on this for me? Particularly why it is necessary, and why it is

not considered

> dangerous to remove it.

>

> Thanks!

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I'm pre-op DS and I had my gallbladder removed last year. It was

essentially a bag of stones after my last diet. My gallbladder

attacks were the most painful things I've ever had to live

through...I really wanted to die several times right there curled up

on the bathroom floor!!! The gallbladder functions to hold bile until

it is needed for the digestion of fats, but it isn't an essential

organ. I asked my surgeon what dietary changes I needed to make

after having it removed and he said there were none.

Dr. Rabkin removes both the gallbladder and the appendix during DS

surgery. With rapid weight loss, it is very likely that patients

will develop gallstones and nobody needs the appendix anyway. Part

of the reason for removing them during DS surgery is to rule out the

gallbladder or appendix as sources of post-operative abdominal pain.

My gallbladder attacks FELT like a blockage. I thought I was going to

explode on the inside. That is NOT a feeling I want post-op and I

wouldn't want to waste time trying to figure out if it is anything

other than DS-related.

--

K

pre-op Rabkin

Jan 28, 2002

YM: mariak415

ICQ: 129363427

[Guest guest]

> ,

> I'm pre-op DS and I had my gallbladder removed last year. It was

> essentially a bag of stones after my last diet.

Warning: not for the faint of heart! If you want to see a remarkable

picture of a gallstone filled gallbladder, go here and click the " prev "

arrow one time:

http://www.pacificsurgery.com/Newsletter/Other_Views/other_views.html

This was the gb of a Rabkin patient who was operated last year. EGADS,

huh? :-)

M.

---

in Valrico, FL, age 39

Lap DGB/DS by Dr. Rabkin 10/19/99

Starting weight 299, now 153

Starting BMI 49.7, now 25.5

Starting size 26/28, now 10/12

http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/M/melaniem.html

Direct replies: mailto:melanie@...

[Guest guest]

OMG ! Ugh! Mine looked just like that! Pain pain pain!

Ew...thanks for posting! heheh

-maria

At 1:09 PM -0800 11/18/01, Magruder wrote:

>Warning: not for the faint of heart! If you want to see a remarkable

>picture of a gallstone filled gallbladder, go here and click the " prev "

>arrow one time:

>

>http://www.pacificsurgery.com/Newsletter/Other_Views/other_views.html

>

>This was the gb of a Rabkin patient who was operated last year. EGADS,

>huh? :-)

>

> M.

[Guest guest]

Something else to consider about Gallbladder removal..My insurance co

would only pay up to $3000 per lifetime for treatment for

obesity.When I was preapproved for this surgery I was assuming that

they were agreeing to pay for the surgery. In fact, they would only

pay up to that cap amount and after they reached that they started

sending back the explanation of benefits saying they denied the

charge and would not pay because it exceeded the amt ...blah blah

blah...(you know...insurance jargon) I had a hospital bill of over

$21,000.00 and they were NOT going to pay it. I had my doctor write

them a letter stating that all elements of the surgery were not for

treatment of obesity...Such as the gall bladder removal. That was

the KEY to getting them to pay the hospital bill. They sent a check

out that week. I was looking at near financial ruin and that darn

gallbladder removal saved me! I dont even notice its gone either!

How bout that!

a

Dr.Hess

4/11/01

Can anyone shed any light

> on this for me? Particularly why it is necessary, and why it is

not considered

> dangerous to remove it.

>

> Thanks!

>

>