Like a previous poster, I have been put on Actigall for 6 months. I asked my surgeon, and he said the chances of a WLS patient developing gallstones are the same as any other person as long as the patient is on Actigall. If they are not, the chances of developing gallstones is relatively high.

The pills aren't so bad. They kinda cancel out the big effect of the iron pill! I haven't needed nearly as many fiber supplements, if ya know what I mean!

My surgeon says that gallstones commonly occur with any rapid weight loss.  He puts his patients on Actigall  for 6 months after surgery to help prevent them. "We take out patient's gallbladder only when we feel the risk of complications for gallbladder removal is lower that the chance of developing significant symptoms from gallstones. For people who have gallstones and no symptoms, it has been shown that there is a one percent per year risk of developing problems related to the gallstones. There is almost a one percent chance of injuring your bile duct during removal of the gallbladder. After significant weight loss, patients who did not have pre-operative gallstones have a 30 percent chance of developing stones. If you take Actigall for six months, your risk for gallstones is only three percent."

I had mine removed and I was more worried about that than the actual WLS - not sure why - but, all came out well - have had no problems.  I feel great all around. Kim

Hi There,

I do not have any gallstones but am planning on having mine removed as a precautionary thing. The Bariatric Program Director told me that they remove it anyways in people with a BMI of over 50. I saw what my father went through when he had severe gallstones. He waited too long to get to a doctor, was vomiting all the time and could not even keep water down. He even had jaundice, that is how sick he was. Thank god he finally went to the ER after my mother got after him! That was enough for me to decide to get my gallbladder out when I get my surgery.

Good Luck with the rest of your journey!
Clayton

I had my gallblader removed last February, I was not having wls but I was having gallblader problems.  I found out I had gall stones, it was the worst feeling ever.  If you can get it out and prevent gall stones, I say go for it.  I never want to go through that again!!!  Yvonne

I had my gall bladder removed the same time because of the gall stones. I have heard for some of the other people that didn't have them removed eventually some had problems and had to have it removed anyway. I haven't missed it... Sandy

Good Luck Deb.  I haven't had my surgery yet so unsure at this point if my surgeon will feel it has to come out or not.  Keep us updated on how everything is going. Hugs & Prayers, Deb