Another gallbladder question

If you are taking ursodiol to prevent gallstones the first 6 mos post op, what is the likelihood of still needing your gallbladder removed? I noticed a lot of folks have had theirs removed and was a bit worried :/.

I still have mine, and I know I have gallstones. Had to have a MRI done for my back, that is how I know I have them. My doc told me as long as it was not causing trouble she would leave it in. not shure if that helps or not.

Laurie

I was taking Actigall faithfully twice a day as prescribed. In fact, my surgeon decided to keep me on it for 9 months instead of the usual 6 post surgery because I was still losing weight so rapidly at my 6 month check up. I ended up needing it removed 8 1/2 months post RNY anyway. The medication thins the bile, to help prevent stones from forming. In my case, it worked, I had no stones.... My gallbladder was just no longer functioning properly. It couldn't keep up with how fast I was losing. Some people never lose their gallbladders. Statistics do show you have a much higher chance of keeping it if you take the medication.
I wouldn't worry too much about it. If it happens, it happens. I certainly don't miss mine at all! LOL

It's important to distinguish between gallstones because of surgery and gallstones after surgery.  600mg of ursodiol during the first six months drops stone formation to like 2%, compared to 32% in untreated patients.  Even then, if you're in the 2% your stones may not be serious enough to require removal of your gallbladder.  In other words, if you take ursodiol the chances of your gallbladder being a problem because of surgery is very small.  Almost nothing.

However, that is not to say your gallbladder will never be a problem.  It's the most common surgical procedure performed in the United States and you may develop problems all on your own.  Developing gallstones 2, 3, or more years post-op probably shouldn't be blamed on the surgery itself.

Thank you guys that does ease my worries! I have had several surgeries in the past and am no stranger to the whole thing (open appendectomy, repair of ankle with plates/screws, then the RNY). Always hoping to avoid more scars of course, I keloid terribly and it's very unsightly :(.