Mine started a week after surgery. I was on omeprazole before surgery (which i stopped a few days before and after surgery) and my surgeon said to start taking again when I saw him for my 2 week post op. I recently switched to Protonix 1x per day and i'm fine. But OMG if i forget to take them...lord have mercy on me! I get heartburn right away, anything will set it off. I have my 3 month follow up with my surgeon next month and will be def. discussing this with him. I'm terrified of having revision surgery.