Understanding Gallbladder Risk After Rapid Weight Loss

Women are significantly more likely to develop gallstones than men. Rates are two to three times higher among women, particularly those with elevated estrogen levels due to pregnancy or hormone replacement therapy. Rapid weight loss is another contributing factor to gallbladder disorders.

Thirty-year-old Shelby Yarbrough fit this profile. A mother of three from Hardin, Texas, breastfed her third child for a year. Her history of fertility treatments and polycystic ovarian syndrome made weight loss particularly challenging. "I could gain 10 pounds in a week. It was unreal." At 5-foot-5 and 225 pounds, the nurse practitioner started GLP-1 injections in October 2022.

Shelby subsequently lost 85 pounds in 18 months and felt great. Without the added weight, her breathing improved and her stamina returned, making it easier to keep up with her children. 

A Sudden Turn: Pancreatitis Diagnosis

However, in the spring of 2024, a sharp pain erupted in her upper left abdomen. "It literally felt like somebody had stabbed me,” she said.“I laid back, and when I leaned back up, I said, 'Oh my gosh, this hurts.'" She immediately went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with pancreatitis. As a nurse practitioner, Shelby thought she could manage the condition with proper medication and diet. But after a fourth attack, her personal provider insisted she “have surgery right now.” She immediately went to the emergency room and was transferred by ambulance to St. Luke’s Health - The Vintage Hospital, where her sister, Jennifer Cook, serves as chief nursing officer.

Expert Care and a Successful Procedure

Mrs. Yarbrough had acute pancreatitis caused by several gallstones,” explained general surgeon, Dr. Naveed Zafar. “We immediately resolved her pain, but her pancreas was very inflamed and we were unable to remove her gallbladder until the inflammation subsided, which it did in three days. We then removed her gallbladder in a laparoscopic procedure.”

Shelby has not experienced any issues since her gallbladder removal, and is back on a maintenance dose of her GLP-1 medication. She hopes her experience will educate other women who are at high risk for gallstones.

“I'm female. I had multiple pregnancies, fertility treatments and I was also losing weight,” Shelby explained. These are all risks for gallbladder problems, whether the weight loss is from GLP-1, bariatric surgery or other methods. I learned firsthand about these fairly common risk factors. Most important, though, is to pay attention to your symptoms,” She expressed relief that she chose St. Luke’s Health - The Vintage for her hospitalization and surgery.

“The inpatient care I received was great, from the surgical team to the attentive nurses and staff; even the food was good,” Shelby said.“I had an easy follow-up with the surgical team and was able to get back to taking care of my own patients within a week. I was so impressed by the level of care I received, I have referred several of my patients to St. Luke’s Health - The Vintage Hospital for surgery and care.”

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