Gallbladder issues?

[mandyjdc]

I'm thinking about getting the sleeve, and was reading up on possible complications.
I saw that gallbladder issues and eventual removal are very common.

Have any of you had issues with your gallbladder?

Also, why would losing weight cause gallstones?

TIA

[RehabNurse]

Gallstones are a product of our obesity, as well as the rapid weight loss.

1. Obese individuals are at greater risk of developing gallstones (regardless of weight gain or loss) since excess weight increases the amount of cholesterol in bile, which might lead to stones.

2. With rapid weight loss, the liver releases more cholesterol into bile, which might lead to gallstones. This is why people who undergo bariatric surgery often have gallbladder problems after losing weight.

[Kindle]

I had my first gallbladder attack about 7 months after my VSG. I had lost about 80 pounds at that point. Ultrasound showed no gallstones so I didn't do anything. Had 3 more attacks over the next 14 months before stones showed up on the ultrasound. I finally Had my gallbladder and 14 stones removed 23 months after my VSG.

I had the option of having my gallbladder removed at the same time as my VSG surgery and with 20/20 hindsight I wish I had. The attacks were, by far, the most painful things I've ever experienced...... 2+ hours of excruciating, debilitating, nearly passing out pain that no medicine or positioning can relieve. I broke my back when i was 18 and had 2 vertebrae fused in my neck when I was 40. Neither came close to the gallbladder pain. Not to mention the $6000 deductible I had to pay for the second surgery. Doing it at the same time as my VSG would have only cost $500.

Not everyone experiences gallbladder issues after rapid weight loss, just like not everyone has hairloss after WLS (I didn't). Problem is there's no way to predict if either will happen. Good luck!