Anatomy of the DS as it relates to Gallbladders...

[biggeekgirl]

I am being a post hog this afternoon...

I am 7 years out from my DS. I have been having, what my surgeon is sure, are gallbladder attacks.

Last week he removed my gallbladder in a 4 hour surgery (tons of scar tissue got in the way).

All the "normies" in my life caution me I can't eat too much fat now... blah blah blah... no bile for my digestion...blah blah blah.

BUT -- isn't our bile already diverted by the DS ? Aren't we already operating on lack of digestive enzymes, etc?

So will having my gallbladder removed now affect my eating / pooping lifestyle?

Thoughts from you anatomy experts?

Thanks!

Cindy

[Deleted]

Yes, it doesn't matter for DSers.

However, you MIGHT have minor issues with loose stools, burnie heinie, etc., if your system hasn't already adjusted to the flow rate of bile into your gut. It probably won't be much of an issue if at all.

[biggeekgirl]

I am actually tending more towards constipation now (6 days out) but that may be due to me limiting my carb/fat intake so as not to upset my system with gas while I'm so tender and have nothing to do with the gallbladder removal.

I was suspecting I wouldn't have the same issues digestively as a "normie".

I wonder how I developed gall stones / attacks to start with if fat isn't a factor for us? It's not genetic in my family (something the surgeon asked me) and it's not due to any recent rapid weight loss (I was on Actigul 7 years ago after DS to squash any gallbladder problems during rapid weight loss...)

Cindy

[sandyv63]

I am 8 weeks out and I knew I wanted my gall bladder removed when I had my DS. Dr. K was kind enough to accommodate my request. My results thus far: I drink my shakes with half & half because I can't digest regular milk. I eat everything with lots and lots of butter (and I mean Paula Dean amounts of butter, y'all.) I have to take Triphala for constipation, so the 'you'll have chronic diarrhea' nonsense is just that - nonsense. I do not miss my gall bladder at all and I knew I did not want to have to be back on the table to have it removed down the line so I figured I might as well get rid of it while getting the DS. I also asked to have my appendix removed but Dr. K said it was hiding and he couldn't get to the darn thing. Oh well. Between the 2 of them, I really wanted that gall bladder removed because of the high incidence of needing it removed post op. I'm a big wussy chicken (soon to be a skinny wussy chicken.) I don't like pain and I hear a gall bladder attack hurts.

[biggeekgirl]

Sandy - 7 years ago I asked my gallbladder be removed during my DS. My surgeon told me "I don't remove healthy organs." He said he'd only remove it if there was evidence of swelling / irritation, etc. (Obviously there wasn't and he didn't....)

Fast forward 7 years later... but in the end it's not a bad thing. They scoped my stomach while I was under as well as did exploratory to make sure all my intestines were in line / no scar tissue adhering to them, etc. I guess it was kinda nice to have my insides checked out so many years later as confirmation all is well. LOL.

Glad to hear it's not affecting your fat intake! I had a Taco Bell Salad (cruncy bowl and all) today for lunch. That is the most fat I've eaten in one meal since having the gallbladder out... we'll see what happens.

Cindy

[valgroce]

I couldn't tell you the difference, because my surgeon removed my GB when I got my DS and I eat all kinds of fat, so no worries.

[Happy DSr]

my doc routinely removes the gallbladder and appendix when he does the DS, and I am grateful to him for it, especially when I read posts about gallstones and appendicitis. I have had no problems with fat/bile.

[supershae]

My surgeon removed my gall bladder and my appendix during my DS. So far I have had no problems at all.

[Girlrocker]

I just wanted to thank you for posting this. I'm a recent revision to DS, and Dr. K also took my gallbladder and appendix. I'm only 3 weeks out so I have much of an idea of what will and won't bother me yet. But the responses here have been very informative, appreciate it!