Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Can someone explain why acid reflux....



Recommended Posts

Before surgery I would get odd episodes of acid reflux. Not often and not too bothersome. Since surgery, i have been taking omeprozole, even with that i notice that i have slight acid at night times. If i miss a dose, i have serious discomfort.

Can anyone explain in baby speak, why VSG can cause acid reflux? And will this be a permanent thing?

Thanks a lot !

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am not a doctor, but it was explained to me that the stomach is producing the amount of acid required at full size, but your stomach is obviously not full size anymore. I switched to Zegerid OTC - it has an additive in addition to the omeprozole and it works a lot better for me. I noticed that I had to supplement with Tums or take 2 ppi's before I switched to Zegerid. You might want to try it.

My doc said I have to take omeprozole for 6 months and then I can try to wean myself off. According to some sleevers, it never goes away and the ppi will be a part of your life for the foreseeable future. I found once I got it under control with the right med, I felt better overall.

Good luck-

Lara

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

As I understand it, when you had a quart-sized stomach the acid could slosh around in there and have a lot of room to move around. After surgery, you have a small diameter and volume stomach but still acid production, so the acid has fewer places to go. One of the places to go is up--producing reflux. I think the permanence of reflux depends on the person--I read something that said if you didn't have reflux problems before surgery, probably you wouldn't have them after, but I am thinking "after" means six months to a year after surgery. I tried to go off my PPI after 90 days and woke up in the middle of the night with reflux. Back on it now and no problems at night. I'll give it another try in 3 more months.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Couple of things I can think of.

The main reason acid reflux happens is because the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) - the ring of muscle right at the end of your esophagus and the top of your stomach - is not functioning properly. Normally, it's closed tight at all times except for when you are swallowing something. If there's any sort of problem with it, e.g. the nerves in it or some of the muscle itself were damaged during the surgery (which often happens to a small extent), it will have trouble closing or staying closed. So, reason 1: surgical damage to the sphincter. Reason #2: imagine that you ate too much for your newly small stomach - the food will push both ways, and the upward pressure on the LES may cause it to open to some extent, pushing some acid back up into your esophagus.

A reason I hear often on here is that the stomach is overproducing acid for the first little while because your cells don't "know" that there's a lot less stomach left. I don't know if I believe it that much. It would have to be an issue of quantity of acid rather then strength - stomach acid is about as caustic as it gets. The reason for that is that your stomach normally produces up to 4 liters (a gallon!) of Fluid a day, and your GI system reabsorbs/flushes it just fine. So I don't really understand why you would suddenly have a problem reabsorbing these secretions in your small and large intestines and having it go back up.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Amazing ladies, quick, easy to understand answers. Thank you so much!

Im sure i had read somewhere to avoid taking things like tums/rennies/gavisgone. Am i making this up? Is it ok to take one of these to stop symptoms immediatly if they are bothering me?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Amazing ladies, quick, easy to understand answers. Thank you so much!

Im sure i had read somewhere to avoid taking things like tums/rennies/gavisgone. Am i making this up? Is it ok to take one of these to stop symptoms immediatly if they are bothering me?

You can take an antacid for immediate symptom relief if it's bothering you a lot. I've definitely done it a few times as I only have reflux for short periods of time, maybe 1-2x a month. But if you have consistent reflux, you should really be taking a PPI to manage these symptoms. The issue is that antacids neutralize acid, which relieves the symptoms right away BUT then your cells produce even more acid because the pH in your stomach has risen. But the PPI actually blocks acid production, so you don't get that rebound influx of acid.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know the last post was a year ago, but I still have concerns about this mostly because some doctors say that acid reflux will deminish after VSG surgery and others say it will be worse. I'm so confused...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know the last post was a year ago' date=' but I still have concerns about this mostly because some doctors say that acid reflux will deminish after VSG surgery and others say it will be worse. I'm so confused...[/quote']

People might be quoting general WLS statistics. I believe acid reflux does diminish after the RNY, but that's not generally the case with the sleeve.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • vsg.with.sharon

      Hey everyone!
      I’m new here! Looking for some friends! 🥰
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×