Question:
Anyone else whose surgeon won't prescribe Actigall?

I asked my surgeon about taking Actigall to prevent gallstones. He said he didn't prescribe it because he didn't think it was necessary. Anyone else want to take it and have their surgeon refuse to prescribe it? Is the medication really effective? Do most people who still have their gallbladders take it after WLS? I am not sure whether or not to press the issue with my doctor.    — sheltie (posted on June 29, 2002)

June 29, 2002
I didnt get it so decided to eat some fatty something every day to try to prevent GB problems. My surgeon has since started givbgf out the script as standard procedure, since so many had GB problems post op. Aklthough some insurance doesnt cover it because its a preventive measure.<P> When I say I ae fat, I mean I didnt stick with JUST lowfat foods. Regular chesses and such, along with other stuff like that. We can eat so little just after surgery, why not eat a bit of regular chesse? Its tasty too.
   — bob-haller

June 29, 2002
hi. Mine didn't refuse actigall, but he didn't give it to me either. I am seeing him on Monday and plan on asking him about it. I am 4 weeks post-op LAP RNY, and believe I am starting to have gallbladder complications now, so I am pretty worried, not to mention in pain. So i hope he prescribes it, unless it is too late for it! Hope yours changes his mind, cuz you just never know if your gallbladder can start failing you! goodluck!
   — Lezlie Y.

June 29, 2002
I am pre-op, but my surgeon prescribes it for ALL of his patients who still have their gallbladder. He will remove mine during surgery (when I am approved).
   — Ginger N.

June 29, 2002
My surgeon refused, as well. He said there is no clinical proof that Actigall actually prevents gallstones. I am doing the same as Bob and trying to eat a little bit of food with fat in it daily.
   — Jennifer Y.

June 29, 2002
Eat FAT to avoid gallbladder problems??? That's a new one on me! Besides no one ate more fat than I in the first six months after surgery and it did NOT save my gallbladder. As far as the Actigall goes, my surgeon DID prescribe it. However I could'nt swallow pills for three months post op... not my anti depresants or anything. So I never did take them. I don't know if they would have worked or not.
   — Danmark

June 29, 2002
My doc DID prescribe Actigall, but I never even opened the bottle. With all the vitamin and mineral supplements I take, I just couldn't stand the thought of one more pill. I had lost a lot of weight very fast years ago on Optifast, and never had a problem (nor has anyone in my family ever had a gall bladder problem). I'm down 75 pounds in 7 months, and not even a twitch. I still have that bottle of Actigall, if you'd like......j/k
   — Cyndie K.

August 20, 2002
My Dr. did prescribe Actigall as a precaution. I noticed a poster said that she couldn't swallow pills, you are supposed to open the capsule & mix the Actigall with something..I take it with a little bit of yogurt as the Actigall tastes disgusting..I do admit I don't take it as often as Dr. wants (2xs per day) b/c I take so many other meds that I can't stand it...though I do worry about setting myself up for problems down the line.
   — Trish R.

October 25, 2008
my surgeon perscribes it to everyone post op who still has a gall blader
   — broadwaymom83