I am having surgery in Mexico, but I asked my GI doc here about gallstones post surgery. He gave me a prescription for a med called Urso. He said to take it until your weight stabilizes, and you should be OK after that. Has anyone taken any preemptive gallstone meds? Has it worked for you?

I have been taking ursodiol (generic for actigall?) since surgery and believe I need to take it for a total of 6 months. Have not heard about taking it before rapid weight loss starts.

I have been taking ursodiol (generic for actigall?) since surgery and believe I need to take it for a total of 6 months. Have not heard about taking it before rapid weight loss starts.

How far out r u do u swallow the capsule

Yolo

It's for after surgery. Can't see a reason to take it before. I was just wondering if it really works.

I started taking the ursodiol about 4 weeks after surgery. I had no problem swallowing the capsule from that point onward. I have to keep taking it until I stop losing weight. So far so good.

I just talked to my GI doc today and he wants me to take it starting 1 week prior to surgery. He says the pills can be crushed and mixed as a slurry or added to whatever I am drinking. I know stones can form pretty fast. I looked at my gallbladder after 36 days on the HCG diet and it was bright white with sludge. I decided to stop there instead of going to 40 days. Ate steak and contracted it pretty good, but took one more fatty meal to return it to normal. I don't think my GB will make it too long without help. I really want to keep it. Hope this medicine works.

I have never heard of taking preemptive medicine for your gallbladder, I will definately contact my GI doc and ask. My gallbladder is something I was worried about, as I have a family history of gallbladder removals. Thanks for the info!

I was told that ursodiol reduces the chance of gallstones from 30% to just 2%. However, you have to stay on it for 6 months.

How far out r u do u swallow the capsule

Yolo

I had surgery on August 24th, and I've been swalling the capsule (twice a day with food) since 7 days out - it isn't so bad.

For the original poster, if you have a family history then your Gastro may be on to something. A friend who is two years out from being sleeved had hers out last month. I'm not sure what the odds are if you take the medication religiously vs not religiously vs not at all. Would be good to see a study on that.