gallstones =/

**cindymarguerite** · 12-21-2011 04:49 PM

Well fellow sleevers, it looks like I may have some dreaded gallstones! Two days ago I was at a friend's house and suddenly had a case of horrible vomiting and stomach cramping. I could feel my little sleeve tummy convulsing and flipping around and burning! My heart was pumping and I felt like i was going to pass out right in his bathroom! Went to the doctor's today and ordered an ultrasound for my gallbladder. UGH! Has anyone dealt with gallstones before? Did you have to have your gallbladder removed?

**N2DVN** · 12-21-2011 04:55 PM

Sorry you are going through this! Praying for a speedy recovery!

**michelleb** · 12-21-2011 05:13 PM

I have a gallbladder issue. I have sludge in the gallbladder and I get pain when I eat solid food. I had an ultrasound done a few weeks ago. I have an appt with the gastro doc 1st week of January and an upper GI booked for 1/9. I'm guessing ultimately I'll have to have it removed. I had issues with it when I was pregnant too. Keep us updated on your ultrasound.

**Kelly Jo** · 12-21-2011 05:18 PM

Were you put on preventative meds for gallstones after your surgery? My doc puts everyone on 6 months of meds to prevent the gallstones. Sorry you are experiencing this.... Best wishes!

**tprincess** · 12-21-2011 06:36 PM

My dr did an ultrasound before the surgery. I was then told that I would have to have it removed. So along with the sleeve I had the gallbladder removed at the same time. I believe he does the gallbladder ultrasound to determine if there will be a problem after surgery. So I am glad he did it and removed it. I am told problems with the gallbladder can be extremely painful - as you are going through right now.

So sorry about your pain. Hope you feel better soon.

**tprincess** · 12-21-2011 06:36 PM

My dr did an ultrasound before the surgery. I was then told that I would have to have it removed. So along with the sleeve I had the gallbladder removed at the same time. I believe he does the gallbladder ultrasound to determine if there will be a problem after surgery. So I am glad he did it and removed it. I am told problems with the gallbladder can be extremely painful - as you are going through right now.

So sorry about your pain. Hope you feel better soon.

**TXMOM** · 12-21-2011 06:40 PM

Hello. My surgery is next week. What meds are you on to prevent gallstones? My surgeon didn't say anything about the meds.
He did do an abdominal US which shows my gallbladder is normal.

Thanks.
TxMom

**Anamor2011** · 12-21-2011 07:05 PM

I think it all depends on your Dr if they think is necessary to put you on preventive meds or take it out during the procedure. I had mine out 8 months after lap band surgery and loosing about 60 lbs. When you loose weight rapidly, your gallbladder will usually go bad. Many people who have weight loss surgeries eventually end up getting their gallbladder if they didn't at time of surgery. I had to go straight to the ER after two days of attacks, vomiting, etc... and had it taken out that night. It is worst than labor pains and nothing you would even desire on you worst enemy. If you continue to have these episodes, you probably need it taken out. I would prefer them take it out than continue to experience that pain!!!

**Kelly Jo** · 12-21-2011 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by TXMOM

Hello. My surgery is next week. What meds are you on to prevent gallstones? My surgeon didn't say anything about the meds.
He did do an abdominal US which shows my gallbladder is normal.

Thanks.
TxMom

My surgeon puts all of her patients (that have their gallbladders) on Actigall/Ursodiol for 6 months twice a day as a gallstone preventative.

**sis4lfe** · 12-28-2011 08:12 AM

Cindy, I sure hope you've been feeling better! I just recently had the SAME thing happen & I ended up having emergency surgery! Here's what happened to me:

I was EXTREMELY excited to be celebrating my 1-yr sleeve anniversary when I started having 'gas' issues on Friday, Dec 16th. I called my surgeon (I don't have a PCP) and they told me it was not gas/heartburn, it was my gall bladder. I have several friends who have had theirs removed but no one ever talks about the symptoms... they just talk about the surgery itself and how great they felt afterwards. Well, my DR said we'd schedule an u/s for Mon/Tues and we'd review the results on Wed (@ my 1-yr check up appt). But...I couldn't handle the pain. It just kept getting worse -- I was having a hard time catching my breath. It felt like a HORRIBLE contraction that would NOT let up or go away. And occasionally, I'd have the additional sharp pains in my ribs, breast and shoulder. It was starting to scare me that I couldn't get past the pain and my husband & 4-yr old were very worried for me. I called my DR back a few hours later and told them I was going to the ER. Dr. Marvin told me which hospital to go to and asked for the ER DR to call him when I got there. They got me right in and immediately did an x-ray and u/s. The u/s showed that I had severe inflammation and Dr. Marvin had me admitted. I was scheduled for a MRI on Saturday afternoon (just so they'd know exactly what they were dealing with) but the machine was broken. So around 5pm, I was wheeled into surgery. It turned out to be a fairly simple surgery (no blocked ducts). My gall bladder was TWICE its normal size and full of tiny, gravel-like stones. After doing some research, I've realized that I'd been having 'symptoms' for quite some time now but never realized it. I'm so thankful that my DR decided to do the surgery right away. It did put a damper on our holiday plans though (for the 2nd year in a row); my husband teased and asked what surgery I wanted to schedule for next Christmas. I'm feeling much better now ~ just a little soreness here and there. I'm looking forward to when I can pick up my daughter again!

P.S. I realize every DR/surgeon is different. Mine told me that once I started having these severe 'attacks', I'd continue to have them and surgery was the only cure. Other DRs/surgeons may say otherwise... IDK... I sure do hope you feel better soon though! I wouldn't wish that painful/dreadful experience on my worst enemy!!!

**scgal21** · 12-28-2011 09:14 AM

Thank you Kelly Jo for answering my question. I have been researching gallbladder problems post surgery and wondered if anyone ever took preventave measures. I don't have any symptoms yet and would like to keep it that way. I'm going to ask my Dr. about the meds. If there is any way to prevent problems in the future, I'm interested in exploring that. While reading about gallbladder surgery, I saw on several sites, that having the gallbladder removed relieves the painful symptoms immediately, but can still return with liver problems.

**WorkInProgress** · 12-28-2011 10:00 AM

My surgery is on Jan. 10th and they are taking my gall bladder out at the same time. Surgeon said that rapid weight loss can create gall stones and I already have multiple stones. Although I have not had any pain or what I would consider a gall bladder attack, I have had it happen when I lost weight in the past. And I'm sure that the multiple stones that I have are also due to dieting on an off my whole life.

**sis4lfe** · 12-28-2011 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by scgal

While reading about gallbladder surgery, I saw on several sites, that having the gallbladder removed relieves the painful symptoms immediately, but can still return with liver problems.

I'm going to have to ask my DR about that when I see him in 3 months! Even if it is a slight possibility, I'd like to know. Thanks!