It is well known that being overweight is a risk factor for the formation of gall stones. Gall stones are formed in the gall bladder because of an imbalance between fat, cholesterol and bile, and they are more likely to occur in women.
The symptoms of gall stones include upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, back pain and sometimes jaundice. Weight loss surgery leads to a rapid reduction in weight and procedures such as laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy can result in between 60 – 70 % excess weight loss. As a consequence of rapid weight loss the liver produces more cholesterol which can result in an imbalance in the gall bladder and in some individuals can cause the formation of gall stones. This can occur in about 14 – 15% of people who have had weight loss surgery. Different weight loss procedures may affect the rate of gall stone formation. For example gastric bypass surgery is more likely to cause the formation of gall stones than sleeve gastrectomy.
If you develop symptoms that are suggestive of gall stone disease after weight loss surgery, please consult your surgeon as you may require removal of your gall bladder which can be done via a keyhole procedure (laparoscopic cholecystectomy).
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