I'm seeing SO many posts about the same exact thing lately and it seems like it takes half a dozen responses before someone touches on the easiest answer, one that will drastically improve quality of life for a newly sleeved person.

Expect to be on a PPI (proton pump inhibitor) after surgery. If your surgeon does not bring this up, please be proactive and ask about being on one. If he/she doesn't prescribe one as a matter of course, generic over-the-counter PPIs (NOT antacids) are available and quite inexpensive.

PPIs are Nexium, Prilosec and Protonix; antacids are Pepcid, Tums or Rolaids. Many, many people have posted that Prevacid does not help, despite falling into the PPI category. It didn't do anything for me.

The feeling of hunger immediately post op? Most often it's acid and a PPI will control it.

Burning heartburn or acid reflux post op? Get on a PPI, not an antacid.

A really noisy new sleeve? Could be acid and a PPI will help. It could also just be a healing tummy, though, and is very common.

Do you feel pain, pressure or like food is coming back up when you lie down? It's acid. Take a PPI, and don't eat immediately before you sleep. Sleep with your head inclined until the PPI controls the problem.

Everyone is different. I was only in need of a PPI for 3-4 months post op, though in times of stress (and apparently, pregnancy), I feel the need for one short term. More common seems to be 6 months of use and some people need them for a year.

If you're taking the time to research the sleeve, arm yourself with this information. Be prepared prior to surgery! I cannot express how much this one simple thing can affect your quality of life.

I hope this post makes the need for one even more visible, and leads to fewer newly sleeved patients living in pain or discomfort, and then complaining about their sleeves! Healing is a tough process with the soreness and seriously restricted diet already and there is no need to complicate matters when there's an easy fix.

Good luck and congrats on your choice to be sleeved,

~Cheri

Awe Cheri thank you for posting. Yes I am having issues with heartburn. doctor did put me on Pepcid when I said was not working he. Said since I already had it so to double it up. Or change to Prilosec cuZ it works better and gavescon as needed in between. But dumb me forgot to ask if ok to swallooww or If I had to open it up. I will call him today. I posted that question here somewhere but no response yet. You are so right life would be so less complicated with out this. It has gotten better. And I will change to Prilosec as soon as get a response about swallowing a cap. Thank you

I was prescribes a capsule and told to open it up and sprinkle it into applesauce. I actually just put it in my morning Protein shake because then I can't taste the grit. It made my applesauce too gritty. The argument against putting it in a drink is that you may not finish the drink, but I always make sure I finish my morning Protein Drink.

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Thanks. I will try that until I get Clarence to swallow.

Do you take the PPI immediately post-op or have to wait until off of clear liquid?

I started as soon as I was on clears. I had no problems with it not absorbing, getting stuck, whatever you might worry about with your new sleeve! They're very small pills - mine were not capsules.

~Cheri

All the ones I see even generic are capsules. yucky. Which ones did you take that where pills. Cheri

Thanks for this information!!! Is there a way to get this 'pinned' so we can refer back to it as needed?

Just got the prilosec at Walmart tablet form. Lolls duable

I have added this to the list of things to ask about when I go back for my next appointment. Thank you!

@ clk. Prilosec was heavenly !!! No heartburn what so ever since next day I started. Thank you !!! Still on it twice a day I am tempted to reduce dose but its ok lol I am enjoying this

clk - "generic over-the-counter PPIs (NOT antacids) are available and quite inexpensive"

how do i tell the difference between generic PPI and generic antacids? i think i got the right thing but i want to be sure. thanks.

...clearly this is still an issue. Bumping to help the folks that don't seem to have this information prior to surgery.

~Cheri

Who are these surgeons that operate and don't bother to warn their patients about this common issue?