Re: [duodenalswitch Re: Post-op:Gallbladder removal-surgery again!!!

December 3, 2001

In a message dated 12/3/01 6:16:23 PM, duodenalswitch writes:

<< I had

no

> complaints and no symptoms, my PCP just wants to monitor me since I

> haven't taken the Actigall (I would have continued taking it but it

> made me feel very queasy). I do not see any reason that you would

> need to lie to get an ultrasound. Your PCP can order one for

> monitoring purposes. I have spoken to post-ops with high BMI's that

> have easily reached goal and they all took Actigall for 6 months,

> have had no gallbladder problems and feel great. >>

Jodi: Yes, that's a great idea to get this monitoring and it may help if

something becomes wrong with one's gallbladder. However, if one has stones

this doesn't necessarily mean the gallbladder must come out. I think it

would be imminently better to advise the PCP that one is at high risk for

development of stones and/or gallbladder problems, request routine

ultrasounds as part of the follow up care and then proceed from there....

Rather than say they have pain (when they don't) and if stones appear, etc.

it could be decided to have the gallbladder out based on the presence of pain

and the gallbladder doesn't need to come out!

I think that most surgeons/doctors feelings concerning the gallbladder are:

If it ain't broke, don't fix it' and presence of stones alone will not

indicate a surgery (would one want to have the surgery after DS just for this

reason?). I think it almost always has to be accompanied by some kind of

pain in order to be taken more seriously. Also, if the gallbladder is so

diseased, I would think the person would be feeling uncomfortable and and U/S

wouldn't necessarily pre-empt such pain/discomfort but confirm it a hell of a

lot faster (and this is worth a million bucks for someone collapsing from a

gallbladder attack, I'm sure!).

It's great to hear there are those who haven't had problems with their

gallbladders after WLS/DS... I think this may happen more often then not but

I totally understand how NO ONE would want to be one of the unfortunate few

that do have the problems and have to have a second surgery to get the

gallbladder removed...

all the best,

lap ds with gallbladder removal

January 25, 2001

Dr. Gagner/Mt. Sinai/NYC

10 months post-op and still feelin' fabu

preop: 307 lbs/bmi 45

now: 198 lbs/size sweet 16

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