why so many unnecessary gallbladder removals post op = makes me so mad

Just in the past week alone, I have read close to a dozen people writing that they had to have there gallbladders removed and they were all less than 6 months outs - a couple were only 2 or 3 months out. This is so unnecessary and can be prevented.  There are medications that can prevent these gallstones from forming that is the main reason for these surgeries - our rapid weight loss is known to cause gallstones and if you take Actigall or Uridisol for the first 6 months and some take it for up to a year, it will prevent gallstones and the need to have your gallbladder out.  I dont' understand why all surgeons dont' prescribe it from the beginning.  I know my surgeon does - I didnt' take it but that is only because I didnt' have a gallbladder but if I did, I certainly would have taken.  There is no need for a second surgery so early out that could definitely be prevented.  We have enough complications that can't be prevented.

For those of you reading this that are newly postop, if you aren't taking Actigall or Uridisol please ask your surgeon for one of them and take it daily for atleast 6 months and possibly a year.  I personally think you should take it until the rapid weight loss stops.

So far so good. [knocking on wood] I still have mine and I was on the Urso (Uridisol) for 6 months post-op. I have heard folks say they still got gall stones even after taking the gall badder med, so YMMV.
 
Good post.

--gina

I have my actigall. The last thing i want is another surgery.
Maybe surgeons are not using this routinely?
Great post.
Question YMMV? what does it mean
Maria

Maria, I always google those acronyms.  Learned that YMMV means 

Your mileage/method may vary 

I didn't know, either.  ;)

Anyway, good post.  I actually think the gallstones themselves are worse than the surgery!  (Had mine out 5 years before RNY)

Actually I really haven't heard much about this.  I see some people list they take Actigall.

I lost my gallbladder in 1992 after an intense Optifast diet.... the Dr said it may happen.  Not sure if they had meds then to prevent it. 

I took my Uridisol for 6 months..... no way I wanted another operation!!

I also took actigall for 6 months after surgery.  Any precautions we can take, we should take.

 Mine didnt presribe anything and i had over 100 lbs to lose .Yep Im glad U said something because it ****** me off too !!!!  

Its almost like they're deliberately making more work for the surgical community ( not to mention costing US essential bodyparts ) out of sheer negligence,  ]
'
Its a well documented FACT that rapid weight loss stresses the gallbladder .... and that these medicines help statistically . 

Ive been very lucky and have never felt so much as a twinge of pain....  but if I do ...Ill know whose fault it is ....GRRR

I'm on the fence with this one.  When I asked my surgeon about Actigall he said he wouldn't prescribe meds for a problem I didn't have (ie preventative) as I guess he hasn't seen a high incidence of gall bladder problems post op.  I am one year out with no gall bladder problems and am glad I didn't take all those meds for nothing.   Actually I remember a Doctor saying I was predisposed come to think of it, as I had the 5 f's, Female, Forty, Fair, Fat and Fertile *** thanks Doc, lol) a couple of years ago.  But alas, I've never had problems!

 oh i LOVE The four FS!!!   ROFL !