From the Research
Approximately 4.5% of people develop gallbladder symptoms after bariatric surgery, as reported in the most recent and highest quality study. This percentage is based on a retrospective study of 177 patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and were followed for a median of two years 1. The development of gallbladder disease (GBD) after surgery may be attributed to various factors, including the formation of stones shortly after the procedure, the exacerbation of existing stones due to the surgery, or inflammation of the gallbladder. Rapid weight loss after surgery has also been proposed as a contributing factor.
Some key points to consider:
- The incidence of symptomatic gallstone disease after bariatric surgery can vary depending on the type of procedure, with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) having a higher incidence of 14.5% compared to other procedures such as laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and laparoscopic gastric band (LAGB) 2.
- Previous bariatric surgery is a risk factor for gallstone formation and cholecystectomy, with 15.8% of patients with previous bariatric surgery developing symptomatic gallbladder disease compared to 4.6% of those without previous bariatric surgery 2.
- Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) therapy for 6 months after bariatric surgery may reduce the incidence of gallstone-associated morbidity, with 96.8% of patients remaining asymptomatic under UDCA therapy 3.
- Patients who undergo bariatric surgery should be informed of the risks of GBD and undergo careful screening before surgery to detect any pre-existing gallbladder issues 1.
It is essential to monitor patients for gallbladder symptoms during the rapid weight loss phase, which typically occurs in the first 12-18 months after surgery. The most recent and highest quality study suggests that the prevalence of GBD after LSG is low and comparable to the general population without LSG, and therefore, LSG does not increase the risk of GBD 1.