I am seriously considering getting the lap band after being morbidly obese for the past 5 years, since having my one and only child. I am 42 years old. I am wondering if the lap band is NOT for me because I have a very acidic stomach (had an ulcer when I was 23, that is healed), but I do need to take either Prevacid or Nexium everyday, otherwise I get heartburn, regardless of what I do or do not eat. Will my heartburn get worse with the lapband?? Any thoughts are appreciated. I am looking to go to the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Fl. and meet with Dr. Rosenthal very soon!:help:

i had severe gerd before banding...would chew 3-4 xtra stregth tums at a time, 2-3 times a day, especially at bedtime. i think since banding i might have had 4 tums total.

I've tried both Prilosec and Pepcid Complete. The first time I did a round of Prilosec, it became my best friend. I did the 14-day course and rather than lasting just 6 months (I think that's what they promise), it lasted me NINE months. I was in heaven. When it came back, I tried to get back on a 14-day course and it didn't work at all. No effect whatsoever. I then did the Pepcid Complete for awhile until it stopped working. Then I went to Tums or Rolaids. Actually, the chewy Rolaids worked pretty well if I took about 2-3 of them. That whole acid thing got very frustrating. I hope it stays away! I don't want it. LOL

I had trouble with heartburn every single day. After the banding, I've not had heartburn, not even once. That was a nice surprise for me.