Hi everyone,

I started my WLS journey a month ago and I have to admit , I'm terrified! So scared of not having a full stomach and how life will be after surgery. I'm 5'3 320 pounds . Suffering from GERD & Hiatal hernia. There's days I can control my GERD but times when everything I eat comes up or acid . In my mind the only way I can get this hernia thing done and lose the weight is going through with the WLS. At times I just want to get the hernia fixed on its own and try and see if I can lose the weight on my own.. It just terrifies me the fact that I won't have a normal stomach. Any advice?

Hey, Have the doctor's given you and option to work on ur GERD on its own?

Yes, nexium and just the regular don't eat before you sleep , sleep with 4 pillows underneath , no fried foods & chocolate , etc. the normal stuff

When you say a "normal" stomach, do you mean the one that allows you to make 3 trips through the all-u-can-eat trough or the one that "normal" people have where they eat a well balanced, correctly portioned meal?

If it is the first, I don't want that anymore and if it is the latter, than the procedure has given me a "normal" stomach, so ...

I, too, had a hiatal hernia repair during my procedure. I had terrible reflux, but now, I do not battle it at all. Zero. It solved my problems with reflux and there is a good chance it will for you, too.

That's amazing, Im sure its very scary situation, But just think about all the positive this surgery can do for u.

Pdxman,

When was your surgery?

07/08/2011 - It was outpatient with Dr Umbach in Las Vegas (baby!)

Hi everyone,

I started my WLS journey a month ago and I have to admit , I'm terrified! So scared of not having a full stomach and how life will be after surgery. I'm 5'3 320 pounds . Suffering from GERD & Hiatal hernia. There's days I can control my GERD but times when everything I eat comes up or acid . In my mind the only way I can get this hernia thing done and lose the weight is going through with the WLS. At times I just want to get the hernia fixed on its own and try and see if I can lose the weight on my own.. It just terrifies me the fact that I won't have a normal stomach. Any advice?

Today I'm eating shrimp and steak. I can eat anything - but I don't. You will still enjoy food. I'm a TOTAL foodie. I just eat healthy and in the proper proportions.

You've got to do this. I was 5'1" 246 pounds and I was literally dying.

When you say a "normal" stomach, do you mean the one that allows you to make 3 trips through the all-u-can-eat trough or the one that "normal" people have where they eat a well balanced, correctly portioned meal?

Oh how I love this point that he made here and I think it's important to note. What all of us have known as a normal stomach is actually abnormal - this surgery is amazing and wonderful and turns your stomach back into normal. Yes it can be a very scary thing in your mind but the reality of it for me is if I had to do it over again I wouldn't think twice and would absolutely do it again - it is so worth it.

I totally agree with PDXman. I love my new stomach. I love that I can get full on a little bit of anything. I feel great!!

Christy, the only thing I regret is not having the surgery sooner in life. Your new sized stomach will restrict u to eat " normal" sized portions. Good luck :-)

Omg! Thanks so much for all your advices . I wanted be honest. I would really like to try losing the weight on my own because (and i opologize ahead to anyone that has had the surgery I don't want to sound insulting) I want to feel normal but a part of me says I'm going to go through the yo to dieting and never really rich my goal meanwhile I'm still obese and in danger of (god forbid) getting a heart attack etc. it's just so overwhelming having to pick and not know what can happen afterwards. But I really do appreciate all your advices and congratulate those that have had the surgery and reached their goal and are living a new life! ❤

Also.. Is anyone having problems with GERD or REFLUX after the surgery? And how are you treating that?

Dolce0405 when was your surgery and how are you feeling after? I know you would do it again but would you really?

I'm am only 16 days post op and I have lost 26 pounds. I started at 260. The first 3 days suck. I am not going to lie. Not really pain but no energy. U just don't feel like moving. Day 4 I started to feel so much better. To answer ur question of I would really do it again, of course I wish I could of done this without surgery but I have tried so many times and failed. I. Would do great for a week and that would be it. This surgery prevents u from " cheating". I did not have any medical issues before the surgery. I did this strictly bc I wanted to look a d feel better and prevent any future issues. I am a nurse and I see the problems obesity causes all the time. This is not something that u can just jump into. It is also important to talk to a therapist a deal with any issues that may attribute to over eating. It's great that u r asking questions. I wish I saw this site a long time ago.

I had reflux before surgery and going out I had h pylori when I had my EGD done. That is a bacteria that causes ulcers n causes reflux. I treated that before surgery. I have has 3 incidents of reflux since surgery. They will give u Prilosec after surgery. It's great!!!!