I had mine taken out years ago after losing like 100 lbs (which I've since gained back...). But the doc told me the gall bladder processes the fats in foods we eat and often after someone loses lots of weight it acts up and has to come out.

It was the first surgery I ever had! Back in my early 30's... It was done laperscopy and I recovered quickly. I remember asking my doc if now that I don't have a gall bladder would the fat I eat go straight to my hips :) He assured me that this would not be the case.

I was also told that some people cannot eat some types of foods after (I cannot remember what ones), but that was never the case for me.

Here is a link with all sorts of info that might help....

http://www.gallbladderattack.com/

Becca~

I had my gallbladder taken out laparoscopically this past August (I had my RNY in 2010). I had been having occasional gall bladder attacks and had some "gravel" but the surgery was actually an emergency surgery for twisted intestines and an intussusception. I asked them to take out my gallbladder while they were in there to save me another surgery. It was the easiest surgery I've every had. Recovery was quick. I was cleared to work out 3 weeks afterwards.

Gallbladder attacks were incredibly painful for me. RIght side just under the rib cage. Major pain after eating. The worst episode radiated to my back and made me rock back and forth in pain for a couple hours.

JJ

People that have any form of WLS have a higher chance of needing it out. Usually when you lose weight quickly you have a tendancy to get more gall stones or produce more bile.

Anyway its pretty common, I had mine out with my RNY this Feb. Some Docs take them out when they do the surgery just as a precaution. My Doc doesn't I just happened to need mine out, and they decided to do it all at the same time. My Gallbladder attacks were really painful too, and I had heartburn unless I was eating (so all the time). I regularly got stones stuck in the duct leading to your intestines from the gallbladder (ouch). After surgery I felt soo much better no heartburn, and no pain.

So as you are probably not to keen on the idea of surgery, but you will most likely feel much better once you get it taken out...Best Wishes

I also forgot to mention lol after reading Becca's post...the only thing you will have to worry about is eating a meal that is too fatty, some not all who have had surgery have said it gives them diarrhea because it no longer collects into your gallbladder. Because you still produce more bile when you eat really fatty foods and it goes directly into your intestines. Also I was told to expect possible diarrhea for up to about 6 weeks post op while your body readjusts. For me I haven't had to worry about it though as I try to keep my foods less fatty anyways...Good Luck

I had it removed 3 years postop. Had tremendous pain & they said it had to come out.

Even though I took medicine given to me right after my WLS (to prevent the gallbladder from forming stones) sometimes the weight loss & other things (e.g. the way I ate for so many years prior)...it just has to come out.