Ulcer or Gall bladder pains

[Farmer23]

Hey guys, so I have been getting really bad pains starting in my mid back then it goes all through my ribs and upper abdomen. I get really cold and clamy and I vomit everything I have and dry heave. It usually lasts 1-3 hours. Has anyone had this issue and can shed some light on this.

[Christie13]

I would definitely give my PCP a call. That does not sound good.

[Stacey03]

Gall bladder I'm betting on... get yourself to emergency now

[Farmer23]

I had an ultrasound done and they found something I have a doc apt tomorrow

[Stacey03]

I had an ultrasound done and they found something I have a doc apt tomorrow

Let us know Farmer boy and hope it all turns out good. Horrible to have that :-(

[Farmer23]

It was my gall blader...time for another surgery.

[DHB]

It was my gall blader...time for another surgery.

So I'm curious: Were you taking Ursodiol/Actigall pills after sleeve surgery to prevent gall bladder problems? My doctor is making me take them for 6 months. Hope it's not in vain....

[Farmer23]

Nope I wasn't taking anything for my gall bladder. This issue also runs in my family, not sure if it's hereditary or not lol

[KiwiGal]

Can someone please explain to me the relationship between gall bladder issues and WLS?

[DHB]

Can someone please explain to me the relationship between gall bladder issues and WLS?

Here's a good explanation: Gallstones form when there is an imbalance in the bile causing a high ratio of cholesterol compared to bile salts. This type of imbalance often occurs when people are on very restrictive diets. Such is the case with liquid protein fast programs and during the first 6 - 18 months after gastric bypass. Studies have shown that 30 percent of gastric bypass patients will develop gallstones, and 10 percent of patients will develop symptoms requiring surgical gall bladder removal (cholecystectomy). Similarly, Weiner(1) and colleagues reported that 11% of Lab Band patients required later gall bladder removal.

Gallstone development following gastric bypass can be prevented two ways. First, the gallbladder can be removed at the time of surgery. Second, one can take a medication called Actigall. Actigall is a naturally occurring bile salt. Taking Actigall increases the ratio of bile salts to cholesterol in the bile and prevents cholesterol from crystallizing as gallstones . Actigall must be taken twice a day while one is losing weight. Once the weight is lost one can stop taking the Actigall. Actigall has infrequent side effects, occasionally causing diarrhea or other symptoms ( see Actigall information sheet). Actigall prevents gallstone formation 98% of the time.

[KiwiGal]

Thanks Dale. I've never heard of this before and my surgeon has never mentioned it!

[Devin]

I'm worried about this as well, I've had gall bladder issues in the past and was recommended to have it removed but never did. My pre-op surgeon appointment is in 2 days, I'll be asking some questions for sure. Gall bladder attacks are awful to say the least!

[DHB]

I'm worried about this as well, I've had gall bladder issues in the past and was recommended to have it removed but never did. My pre-op surgeon appointment is in 2 days, I'll be asking some questions for sure. Gall bladder attacks are awful to say the least!

I think prescribing Actigal is becoming more common among surgeons doing this type of procedure. From what I've read, there are mixed reviews on how effective it is but it's not a huge burden to take 2 caps a day for 6 months and less troublesome than another surgery. Also, if you have had gall bladder problems already, some surgeons just go ahead and take your gall bladder out at the same time as the sleeve surgery. That might be the easiest course.

[Devin]

Funny thing is I was going to get it done but the company I worked for went under and financially it wasn’t in the cards. It’s been fine the last several years so I never really thought about it. I’ll ask my doctor about it. Thank you.

[Farmer23]

Yeah I'm just waiting for the surgeon to call because I have gall stones, so since there is stones they will operate, if they can't find stones they generally leave it in there.