I"m curious about this as it appears people do have this. Also, why are people having this more because of the surgery? I know many don't get it but also seems people do get this post surgery when they have never had this issue after surgery.

Thoughts?

At restriction, over two years out and no acide reflux (knock on wood). I did have a hernia fixed at surgery.

A lot of people on here end up having hiatal hernia repair done and this causes acid reflux. My doc did the hiatal hernia repair (had no clue I even had one, but was starting to experience acid reflux a little before surgery) at the same time of being banded and I've been good ever since.

I suffered from acid reflux since I was 14.

I was on 2 prescription medications and lived on Tums.

I was banded when I was 39. My acid reflux went away 3 days after I was banded and I didn't have a hernia.

I was self-pay. If I didn't lose a pound just to have my acid reflux go away was worth it. I think I would have paid double if I had known my acid reflux would have disappeared.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

No reflux, no tums. I think that because we are on a strict diet we are eating foods that would not cause reflux. I have not had alot of the foods I know caused me reflux since being banded, which isn't a bad thing.

I can't tell what percent but is now that I do especially bad when I travel. I had to have an un fill after flying on two occasions now. But I think it is still worth it!!

I have acid reflux daily. Ive been banded since dec 08. It wasnt a problem at first, but after the first 2 yrs it came on and hasn't left. Ive told my surgeon numerous times. I had 2 small unfills and that didn't help. So i was wondering the same thing, how many other bandsters have this issue?

I only have it if I eat certain things. Protein shakes give it to me horrible.

A lot of people on here end up having hiatal hernia repair done and this causes acid reflux.

Why does having the hiatal hernia repair cause/contribute to acid reflex? Also, what causes the hiatal hernia to need repair to begin with? Eating to fast overtime which causes tissue damage??

My understanding of a hiatal hernia is that your stomach is pushing up where it's not supposed to be and therefore has an impact on stomach acid. Although, my doc actually sent an email to me after surgery and this may help answer your questions:

"Hiatal hernia is a condition that we find commonly in our patients. Some who have hiatal hernias have reflux symptoms, while others have no apparent symptoms at all. Failure to repair a hiatal hernia can lead to severe problems with reflux after surgery, so we always repair them when we find them.

Here is a link to the National Institute of Health's web site, which has some good information on hiatal hernias:

http://www.ncbi.nlm....lth/PMH0002122/

Here is a link to a YouTube video of one of our hiatal repairs narrated by me:

Patients who have hiatal repairs often experience more pain in the left shoulder and back from the sutures in the diaphragm."

I've developed minor issues at seven years out - I need to be on nexium, but one 20mg tablet does me for three or four days, so I'm not on daily medication. But once that three or four days is up, I know I need to take another.

I get burning pain in my stomach, but no night cough, no reflux, nothing coming up my throat. I know I had developed a slightly enlarged pouch, my surgeon believes that's pretty standard for someone as far out as I am. I have also had chemo for cancer in the past few years, and took Iron tablets for months which burned my pouch and caused a small ulcer - I've also become wheat, lactose and fructose intolerant so my gut is pretty damaged by chemo and radiation - its impossible to say if my reflux is due to my lapband or not, but I do know its a lot better when I stick to my low fodmap diet.

Do I get the sense my band will last forever? No, not really. Its very different now to what it was five years ago, but its been so successful for me, I would replace it in a heartbeat.

A lot of people on here end up having hiatal hernia repair done and this causes acid reflux. My doc did the hiatal hernia repair (had no clue I even had one' date=' but was starting to experience acid reflux a little before surgery) at the same time of being banded and I've been good ever since.[/quote']

You don't get reflux from a hernia repair. It works the other way-the hiatal hernia CAUSES the reflux and the repair fixes the cause of the reflux. That's why you've been good ever since the surgery. Usually you get reflux is the band is too tight and you are trying to eat around it...

I have my band for about 6 yrs. I had an ulcer about 2 wks after surgery and took protonix for about a yr after. Then insurance changed and then had to take Prilosec once a day then acid got worse the PA advised to take 2 a day. The insurance and pharmacist questioned it but that is what the PA advised. Still got the reflux. He deflated my band and did the barium X-ray and GI. The dr that did the GI stated that the band seems to be making my stomach mad. Went back to the PA he started to full the band again and will then fill again well the reflux is still there but not yet as bad.

It is not what I have been eating or that the band is tight I think that it is the band.

I go in on Friday to talk with the PA again. I am think of removal and going with the bypass

I read that with the by pass this will (may) take care of the reflux

Why does having the hiatal hernia repair cause/contribute to acid reflex? Also, what causes the hiatal hernia to need repair to begin with? Eating to fast overtime which causes tissue damage??

Hiatal hernias are common in obese people and common in people with reflux, whether or not they're obese. The band can resolve reflux by acting as a barrier between the stomach and the esophagus, but a band that's too tight can also cause reflux. You need to ask your surgeon about why. Also, it's not uncommon for hiatal hernias to develop after massive weight loss. Again, ask your surgeon why. I know several bandsters that's happened to. The gastro doc who diagnosed my hiatal hernia 20+ years ago told me that hernias usually develop in people who were born with the potential - they have a weakness in the diaphgram, and weight gain can aggravate it enough to encourage a hernia to develop.

Finally, large hiatal hernias are considered a contraindication for band surgery, but most surgeons repair the hernia during band placement.

I am think of removal and going with the bypass

I read that with the by pass this will (may) take care of the reflux

I've heard the same thing. I know a bandster who revised to the bypass for that exact reason. The revision resolved her reflux but also introduced a whole new set of problems. I sure wish there were a risk-free, effective WLS surgery. Or a cure for obesity.

Hiatal hernias are common in obese people and common in people with reflux, whether or not they're obese. The band can resolve reflux by acting as a barrier between the stomach and the esophagus, but a band that's too tight can also cause reflux. You need to ask your surgeon about why. Also, it's not uncommon for hiatal hernias to develop after massive weight loss. Again, ask your surgeon why. I know several bandsters that's happened to. The gastro doc who diagnosed my hiatal hernia 20+ years ago told me that hernias usually develop in people who were born with the potential - they have a weakness in the diaphgram, and weight gain can aggravate it enough to encourage a hernia to develop.

Finally, large hiatal hernias are considered a contraindication for band surgery, but most surgeons repair the hernia during band placement.

my surgeon fixed mine during surgery and i had no idea i even had one.

i guess he killed two birds with one stone

(btw, i hate that phrase just used)