My doctor says I should take Actigal for 6 months post op to prevent gallstones. Do all bariatric doctors do this? I can understand it for the bypass since vitamins are not processed the same in the body but with lapband, all our vitamin and minerals are absorbed normally.

My doctor has never mentioned anything about preventing gall stones so I don't think all doctors do it.

My doctor hasn't suggested that either.

Mine did it but I wasn't put on Actigal; I think mine was called Ursodiol; I had nothing wrong with my gallbladder pre-op but when you lose a lot of weight quickly, gallstones are very common and often times people have to go in for a second surgery to have their gallbladders removed. Not all doctors do it but I am glad mine does! I've seen a lot of WLS patients need to have their gallbladders taken out due to rapid weightloss.

I was only on Ursodiol for about 3 months; It gave me an allergic reaction later on down the road and my doctor said to not take it anymore; I was past the "danger-window" of contracting gallstones either way.

So, be happy you're on something One less thing to worry about.

See below

Reverie just so you know actigal is the same as ursodiol. Brand name vs. Generic, or other way, I forget. But same thing

My Dr has me taking it. He said 3 months should be fine for me. It is very common with wls.

I didn't take it (wasn't offered it) but kind of wish I had. I'm having gall bladder problems (at least that's what we think it is) right now. I'm in Canada though and so my wait time for an ultrasound is long...had my first "attack" in February, ultrasound scheduled May 19th. Definitely not a process you want to go through so if you can avoid it, do it. When I have an attack, I am pretty much incapacitated for anywhere from 45 minutes to 4-5 hours. EXTREMELY PAINFUL!!!!

I'm on the Actigal for 6 mths too...it makes me kinda sick to my stomach so I wait until I go to bed.

I've had several attacks in the past two months, they are horrendous for pain. I have a ridiculously high pain tolerance due to nerve damage from an accident when I was younger and gall bladder pain is the worst pain I have ever felt.

Do whatever your doctor suggests to avoid it!

I had to have my gallbladder removed after I lost over 100 pounds when I was 19 (20 years before my WLS surgery). Really has nothing to do with vitamin assorption more about your body's ability to digest fat. I second a previous poster. Do WHATEVER you can to avoid a gall bladder attack. Bad ones make it painful to even breath! HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!

I wish I had been given ursodial. I lost very rapidly and have some tiny gallstones as a result. My surgeon wants to take my gb out, I don't want to have it done as my attacks are very seldom (last one was July 4, 2010) and I can manage well by eating a reduced fat diet (not 0 fat).

There is non surgical treatment for gallbladder attacks via diet. I haven't ventured there yet, but if I start having more frequent attacks, that is what I will try before surgery.

Oh my goodness! I thank you all for your comments. I am getting my prescription filled and starting it!

Wow, thanks for the worning. Will be setting a date next month for surgery.