DavisP

Here's some encouragement about the PPIs.
My surgeon had me use a PPI (Protonix) for three months post-op.
After that I tapered off Protonix and went back to my pre-op Rx of 40 mg. Ranitidine twice a day. No problemo.
Then one day (after I hit maintenance) I got stuck in a car with fast-food-eating relatives traveling to a family event far away. That day (which lasted nearly a dozen hours) I wound up drinking 30 ounces of diet coke (I let the bubbles dissipate, but the acid content was still there), eating a huge ice cream cone, a McDonalds sandwich, a Subway sandwich, and 250 cals of Sun chips. NOT my best maintenance day ever, eh?
And for a full week thereafter I had horrible acid reflux.
I then went back to using my Protonix for 10 days, then went all the way back to my old Ranitidine Rx.
I'm fine now.
That led me to realize that I can't get away with violating all the rules of eating for reflux patients in the same day. And I have NO plans to ever drink a diet coke again, with or without bubbles.
So you can hope it's possible to taper off your PPI in the near future.
Good luck.

I wish my surgeon had put me on a softener.... My movements are FAR from normal, and have ended up at 7 weeks out possibly needing another surgery due to them being so hard and excruciating has caused a fissure... Water AND Fiber AND SOFTENERS PEOPLE!

HI Davis, I am so sorry to hear you are struggling so much! I know that most of us go through a case of depression right about where you are at . Some its very mild and short others its a real struggle. I promise you are just experiencing what a whole lot of people do at this stage. You have a 'brand new" stomach and it is still healing. It may take some time before you can get off the PPI's , especially if you were on them pre-op. The proton pumps get used to not having to work so they take time to get restarted. Sometimes its just having a very sensitive stomach as my husband does not have a weight problem but takes prevacid 2x a day for the last 20+ years. Don't give up! Everyone has a trial and error phase where you have to try things slowly and see what does and doesn't agree with you. As far as taking laxatives, it is quite normal to only have to go once every couple or 3 days as we aren't putting that much in to our bodies. If its the Iron giving you issues, try a stool softener instead of a laxative. I hope I have helped and not frustrated you more

First priority should be to stay hydrated and get the reflux under control. If you need to step back to liquids for a bit, then do so. As for the Constipation issue, you can add foods to your diet that will help you not need laxatives. Spinach pureed , small amounts of fruit pureed or a shot of prune juice daily may help. Make sure you are getting in ALL your Water. I was started on omeprazole in the hospital by my doctor. I had to increase my dosage from about month 3 to month 6. At that point my tummy was healed and my body adjusted. You're still early in the journey. You may need to progress back to whole foods at a slower pace.

At 7 weeks post-op your new tummy is still healing. I wish I could say all that would resolve itself but some have to take antacids ongoing. I know you don't wish to do that but that would be better than meds for co-morbidities. Hang in there it will get better. Your system is still re-adjusting to surgery, a major change in diet and higher Protein. Things will level off and the weight loss will make you feel better. Good luck!!