Lonna

Thanks for responding back! I see you haven't been on in awhile. I thought alot of these acid issues would have faded away by now but they seem to get worse or not change at all. How are you managing yours now days? And what type of Water would you suggest to drink?

I just got diagnosed with LPR as well. I had my sleeve done in Sept. 2010. I started suffering from severe acid reflux approximately 3 weeks after the sleeve. A year later I found out I had 4 ulcers in my esophagus after an endoscopy. After treating and healing them I had another endoscopy that revealed I have Barretts. I take 40 mg omeprazole 2x a day. I started having the lump sensation in my throat and heaviness in my chest so they did a test to check my symptoms by putting a tube in my nose and down my throat. I had to wear it for 24 hrs. while it recorded my reflux. After reviewing the results of the test, the Dr. diagnosed me with LPR. They explained to me that the only cure is Fundoplication surgery but by me having the sleeve, the surgery is impossible. So the only thing I can do right now is take my medicine to keep the acid levels down so they won't back up into the esophagus. Hopefully someone will come up with a better alternative especially for the people with the sleeve.

Yes. It's kinda weird to take acid to stop acid but something about the vinegar levels the PH balance.

I should try the apple vinegar and honey. I've read that will reduce acid.

Thank you Shell! I definitely want to live for my babies. I will keep my faith!

You are in my prayersmy sleeve sister...this too shall pass...keep your hope and faith you have them babies to live for....

Yes I was taking 40 mg of Omeprazole 2x a day now I am taking a 40 mg Omeprazole capsule once a day. It works. I sip on organic apple cider vinegar with organic raw honey mixed in a bottle of Water 3 to 4 times out of the week. With the vinegar, I was able to lower my dose of Omeprazole. Yes, it is good to follow the doctor's orders...I didn't follow them and that may have caused my issue.

Most surgeons prescribe an acid blocker after surgery and perhaps that's a good thing. I have been trying to get off mine but I'd rather take it than get Barrett's. I have been taking it every other day and that seems to work.

Are you taking it every day now?

You're welcome! Good luck and thanks again!

Thanks so much for sharing. I am planning on having surgery next month (no date yet) and the more we learn, the better. This surgery is for me a calculated risk, a leap of faith. Again, best wishes!

Definitely needed that ButterflyTx! Thank you so much. This shall pass and I will keep my faith strong. Thank you

I'm so sorry to hear this. Please think positive and don't allow this new issue in your journey to overtake you. God's grace is upon you and this too shall pass. You are in my prayers.

Well I didn't even know I had acid reflux at first and I don't know how long I had it. When they did all the tests before scheduling a surgery date, that is when I found out I had it. I never had heartburn or anything to let me know I had it but the barium swallow showed that I did. I was fine after surgery I didn't take any PPI's like I was instructed to do. About 2 weeks after, I started feeling very bad burning in my throat so I started taking Prevacid. I only took it every now and then (only when the burning got unbearable) because I honestly hate taking medicine. After months and months of "off and on" burning I decided to go see the Gastroenterologist. That is when I found out I had the ulcers. I would probably ask the doctor to schedule and endoscopy before surgery just in case...who knows, I could have had problems existing in my throat before surgery and didn't know it. But thanks for the good vibes..much appreciated

Sorry to hear this Lonna. I would be scared too. However don't let fear paralyze you. Research all you can and keep up with your check ups. I will be sending good vibes your way.

Did you have issues with acid before surgery? Is this something we need to be asking our surgeons. Thanks for any light you can shed on this.

Thanks a bunch Khy for the thoughts and prayers, and congratulations on your cancer success! It is scary to think about but I try not to let it overwhelm me. The doctors are keeping an eye on it so far..with that, and alot of prayer..I will be fine. Thanks again

Oh my gosh! I hope everything turns out ok. I had uterine cancer but am now 3 years out and doing ok. I KNOW the panic you are feeling Keeping a close eye on it will go along way toward maintaining your health. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Khy

Well I told a story a couple months ago that I developed ulcers due to acid..well went in for my 6 week endoscopy, the ulcers had healed but I was left with Barret's Esophagus (pre-cancerous condition of the esophagus). I don't understand how my acid reflux got so out of control. I try not to let it get to me but when the doctor mentioned the big C word (cancer) it really worries me since I have 2 small children to raise. I read that Esophageal Cancer is a lethal form of cancer and very hard to get rid of..with a high mortality rate. That really scares me. I like that I've lost almost 100 lbs but it's not worth being sick. I just pray that nothing comes of the Barret's. The good thing is, is that they do have new technology that can eradicate the Barret's Esophagus if it starts to develop cancer cells. Pray for me my fellow sleevers!

I wouldn't worry too much. I noticed that most people who didn't have an issue with ulcers before, usually don't have issues later. The thing is, is that I had acid reflux before surgery..I just didn't know I had it because it never bothered me. I'm pretty sure and hoping that you do just fine . Thank you so much for the positive thoughts!

So sorry that you are suffering from this! Did you have to go on a special diet due to the ulcers? I get concerned when I read stuff like this. I have not taken any type of antacid since my surgery (or before). My doctor did not recommend taking one. Which is weird. I guess my concern is that I will find out when it is too late that I needed to take one. But I haven't had any problems that I am aware of. Good luck to you!! Sending positive thoughts your way!

Hello and thank you You all are so lucky to not have any acid problems. It's all new to me because I've never had any problems before. I pray that it will pass and that I don't have to take meds forever. I'm looking at natural ways to help it too. I heard that Bragg's organic apple cider vinegar is good for helping gerd. I didn't have any issues for the first 2 weeks after surgery, then all of sudden it came. You may be just fine without a PPI..unfortunately I didn't get that lucky. But nevertheless, good luck with your weight loss!

Hello and congrats on the 90 lbs, that is fabulous! I'm so sorry to hear about the GERD. Have you ever been diagnosed with a Hiatal Hernia? I was on a PPI but just stopped taking it, because I don't have an acid problems it seems but I wanted to take it during the initial healing period to help protect the staple line. I didn't want the PPI to affect absorption of Vitamins for me. Some Drs suggest only taking for 1 month and some up to 6 months but I know some people never stop taking them at all. So far everything seems to be fine without the PPI, but I do wonder sometimes if I shouldn't go ahead and continue with them. I wish you luck with getting the problem resolved.

Wow, 5 a day!!! I didn't even know you could take that many in a day. Even with the ulcers they tell me to only take a 40mg Prilosec 2x a day. I am taking a med called sulcrafate to protect the ulcers from further damage and I take the prilosec to stop the acid from damaging them. If you want to be safe and make sure things are ok, maybe u can schedule for an endoscopy as well. Gerd is the pits! Hope it gets better for you.

I get severe acid reflux 2! I am almost a year out & I am taking up to 5 prilosecs a day! When u say u werent taking your ppi as directed where u taking too many? .not enough? I am just curious cause I have the fear of developing an ulcer! by any chance did they tell u how to prevent further damage?

Well I didn't even know I had acid reflux at first and I don't know how long I had it. When they did all the tests before scheduling a surgery date, that is when I found out I had it. I never had heartburn or anything to let me know I had it but the barium swallow showed that I did. I was fine after surgery I didn't take any PPI's like I was instructed to do. About 2 weeks after, I started feeling very bad burning in my throat so I started taking Prevacid. I only took it every now and then (only when the burning got unbearable) because I honestly hate taking medicine. After months and months of "off and on" burning I decided to go see the Gastroenterologist. That is when I found out I had the ulcers. I take a med called sulcrafate to help with the ulcers and i take prilosec to stop the acid to let the ulcers heal. They're scheduling endoscopies every 6 weeks to keep an eye on things. I wasn't taking enough of the PPI's so that may have caused it. Thank you for the compliments and I hope I answered some of your questions. Good luck with your surgery!

Hi: Hope you are "holding up" okay. Even though I haven't had surgery yet (due 10/17), I have a particular concern about GERD. I evern posted a question about it on this forum, but only received one response from someone who didn't have it before surgery and had it after. The research that I have done (and what they tell me at the hospital -- Mass General in Boston) is that some people develop much worse cases of GERD after Sleeve Surgery and Some don't. It seems to be a toss-up as to what result you have, and it looks like you are on the "got worse" side. I am taking Prilosec now and have been for several years. I will definitely continue taking it. I think if you stick with that and follow up with your endoscopies, you will be okay. So sorry to hear of yoiur distress. But it looks like you are doing soooo great weight wise! You are a real inspiration to me!

Hang in there.

Hello. I'm almost 1 year post op. I love that I've had the surgery and that I lost 90 lbs. but I'm still suffering from Severe Gerd. I went to a Gastroenterologist and had a endoscopy done and it showed that I had 4 ulcers in my esophagus and gastritis due to the acid. I'll admit, I wasn't taking my PPI's like I was suppose to so maybe that's why it became so severe. I definitely want to get it in check because I don't want the worse to happen. I'm taking my omeprazole 2x a day now and I haven't felt any acid pains...I go for another endoscopy in a few weeks...hope it's good news. By the way,..I did have acid reflux before surgery now it has turned to Gerd.

Thank all of you wonderful ladies! I love all of the support! I wish you all great success in your weight loss!

I'm at 8 months and have lost about the same as you with about the same starting weight to lose. Good job, keep it up and we will get to goal!

Well congrats to you, weight loss twin! Yes, we wil reach our goal! Thank you!

Congrats on your success! You're doing great! I also don't think it matters how fast the weight comes off but that you ARE losing pounds and that you are getting healthier each day! I seem to lose slower too- and have to keep telling myself the same thing!

Thank you! And you're doing fantastic! Keep up the good work

Congratulations! How wonderful for you--and that you're still losing, albeit maybe more slowly. Good luck in continuing to your goals!

Thank you and congratulations to you too!

Meg

I agree with everyone else here, CONGRATS ON YOUR SUCCESS!! I've lost 75 lbs in 8 months, so in comparison you're doing quite well. It is true too the further out you get the slower it is to come off. I've having to earn every single pound lost now!! It's not just melting off anymore like it did in the first 4 months or so. That's ok!! It will make me appreciate every one all the more.

Cheers to us "slow" losers!!!

ETA: I think pretty much when we are on the outside looking in everything always seems far more superb. But in looking at our individual success we can be more on the critical side. When really, I'd say majority of us lose % of body weight on nearly the same scale.

Congrats on your success as well! And I agree with u, I definitely have to earn every pound lost now! Thanks for the good word!

Lonna,

that is great. Slow or not, a 13/14 is nothing to shrug at! You are doing a great job. Keep it up!!

HUGS!

Thank you! I haven't been in that size since I was a young teenager! It does feel great I must admit! Thanks again and good luck with your weight loss as well! *HUGZ*

Great job and I hope you meet your goal by August!

Thank you very much!

Congratulations on your success! I am also a slow loser which seems to make very pound a victory lately, so I know what you mean. Size 14 is a milestone! It's like we're finally normal, huh? Keep up the good work, you'll get there.

Thank you! And yes it feels good to finally shop at the regular stores in the mall! I can fit some size 12's also! Congratulations on your weight loss as well!

Hey Lonna -- great job!! You and I must have been sleeved at the same time more or less -- You've done an outstanding job!

Thank You Julie! I see that you've done a fantastic job as well! Congratulations!

Losing weight at a slower pace but still making progress. Went from a size 22 to 13/14 in 8 months. Lost 81 lbs. so far. Hope to reach my last 40 lbs. by my birthday in August!