Question:
TAKING ACTIGOL OR URSODIOL POST-0P?

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAD HEALTHY GALLBLADDERS PRIOR TO SURGERY AND HAD THE LAPARASCOPIC ROUX-EN-Y. DID YOUR SURGEONS PRESCRIBE BILE SALTS(ACTIGOL/URSODIOL) POST-OP, TO TRY TO PREVENT GALLSTONES? IF SO, WHAT DID YOU TAKE, HOW MUCH AND FOR HOW LONG? THANKS! MY DATE IS 12/03/02.    — SUSAN B. (posted on November 7, 2002)

November 7, 2002
Hi, I had to take Actigall after surgery. I am suppose to take it 3 times a day for 6 months. I don't remember what my dose is, but I think it is like 2 tsps or something. It is a whitish liquid and it tastes kind of gross but it really is no big deal. (surgery 8/7/2002 -70lbs)
   — fropunka

November 7, 2002
Susan, I had a healthy gallbladder and my dtr gave me a choice. He belives only 20-30% have gallbalder problems, so, he gave me a choice. His personal opinion is that the pills don't seem to help or hurt, so, I chose not to take them! I do know that if I had, the course was for 6 months.
   — heathercross

November 7, 2002
I didn't have gall bladder problems pre-op, so my surgeon did not take it out during surgery. He requires that patients take Actigall/Ursodiol for 6 months after surgery. I take a 300 mg capsule of Ursodiol twice a day.
   — ediecat

November 7, 2002
My Dr. perscribed Actigal for 6 months after the surgery. I quit taking it about 6 weeks after surgery. I just couldn't choke the pills down and when I did get them down, they upset my stomach alot. I figured I'd take the odds and run with them. (Actigal is supposed to work 25-30% of the time anyway.) I know....I'm a bad patient but to me personally, it just wasn't worth it. I concentrated more on choking down the vitamins. Knock on wood, I'm 7 months out and no problems so far.
   — Leah H.

November 8, 2002
I was prescribed Augticall for 6 months. I still take it for just incase I figure I will take it until my refills run out.
   — Chris9672

November 8, 2002
I had Lap RNY and a healthy gall bladder and my doctor prescribed two Actigalls a day. I think I'm supposed to take it for eight months.
   — sandsonik