Curious about Acid Reducers/PPI

[M2G 1,836]

Does anyone mind sharing their tales of acid reducers, or PPI's, etc.

I guess my biggest question is does EVERYONE who gets sleeved need them in some form? I have never had acid or heartburn or reflux, so all of that stuff is a complete mystery to me.

Do some of you take them temporarily after surgery and then find that you don't need them. I know some of you have mentioned it is simply part of your daily routine. I'm curious about anyone else who never had trouble with this type of thing prior to surgery and then find that they need them after surgery. I go for my pre-op appointment tomorrow and I will ask the surgeon his opinion, thoughts etc. But just wanted to ask around here too. Thanks!

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Most surgeons put their patients on them for 6 months post op. Your stomach is very small after surgery but it seems to make just as much acid as it did when it was the old size. That's why you need acid reducers or acid blockers. Ask your doctor if you should be on them for a couple of months at least, or if you should try without them and see how it goes.

[Fleur de lis 2]

Initially my doctor didn't put me on a PPI. He gave me Pepcid Complete. I had never experienced reflux or heartburn before either and it exploded after surgery. I had to ask my doctor for a script and finally got Protonix. It started working the first day and I'm just sad I didn't ask for it sooner. I was MISERABLE for about a week before I got it.

[M2G 1,836]

Thank you! I am definitely going to ask him tomorrow.

I know if I did searches I would probably find tons of mentions of PPI's, etc. But just thought I would start a new thread. I understand some people had problems BEFORE being sleeved, so then it's hard to attribute it to JUST the sleeve.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Thank you! I am definitely going to ask him tomorrow.

I know if I did searches I would probably find tons of mentions of PPI's, etc. But just thought I would start a new thread. I understand some people had problems BEFORE being sleeved, so then it's hard to attribute it to JUST the sleeve.

That's why I explained that. Your stomach is making just as much acid for a regular sized stomach, which you won't have anymore

[M2G 1,836]

Okay, so I talked to my surgeon and he said from what he's seen it hasn't been a big issue. I know there are LOTS of folks on this board who would beg to differ. lol. He doesn't do PPI as preventative, only if there seems to be a problem.

He actually said that the band can help someone who suffers before surgery and can almost eliminate those issues once they have the band.

SO I guess I will just wait and see what happens for me personally...

[Tiffykins 673]

Most bandsters would disagree with that little theory because I know more bandsters that suffer with horrific non-treatable reflux than I do sleeve patients.

I never had acid issues before the sleeve, not even with my band, and I nipped it in the bud around 6 weeks out when I started getting this false hunger, weird twinge in my stomach after I'd eat. My surgeon didn't put patients on a PPI initially either, but as the trend goes more and more people were having issues, and I think his protocol has changed. I think a lot of people don't realize that the biggest issue is that the staple line is healing, and really we don't need hoards of acid bubbling inside our tiny tummies.

I was NPO for 22 days post-revision, so my staple line had a long time to heal, plus I was clears for another 17 days, and only had issues once I hit mushies.

I'm over 16 months out now and still take my 20mg Prilosec once a day every morning an hour before eating like i have for the last 14 months. I'm not going off of it any time soon either. I like not being hungry, I enjoy not getting reflux, and especially love that I can eat whatever and not worry about heartburn.

[Becca 108]

Are there any negative side effects to taking PPIs longterm?

[Bornagainbabe 4]

As far as I am concerned the negative aspects of being obese far outweigh those of taking a PPI. I am one of those ex-banders to whom Tiffy was indirectly referring and my problems started AFTER I had the band and I still suffer now although I no longer have reflux. I take a PPI every morning and before I go to bed. Sometimes if I forget I am ok but generally I start suffering from indigestion if I don't which makes me feel very sick. As far as I am concerned this is the legacy the band left me with but on a positive note I now weigh 126lbs less than I did. Taking a daily PPI is only a minor issue to me.

[Jordien 30]

I just started Prevacid last night, and I already feel better! I am glad I asked about it. My doc said the same thing... too much acid and no place for it to go in such a small stomach.

[Tiffykins 673]

Are there any negative side effects to taking PPIs longterm?

Because of the lack of acid, it's difficult for us to absorb Calcium and that is why we need to take calcium citrate and not carbonate. Carbonate needs an acidic environment to be absorbed properly. Also, since we're low on stomach acid, some bacteria can slip through causing gi upset (I haven't had this issue), the long term side effects with a PPI are minimal, and the main concern is low bone density in women over the age of 50. From everything, I've read, and discussed with my surgeon, my possible long term issues with being on a PPI are worth not having future complications of ongoing reflux such as Barretts esophagus and esophageal cancer.

I'll pop my PPI everyday to avoid reflux. I have only had a couple of episodes of breakthrough reflux, and it was a horrific experience. I know that Tums/Pepcid aren't going to fix it so I'll stick with my Prilosec and take my Calcium as directed to prevent bone issues in the future.