Has anyone asked their doc if ulcers can be developed where they cut the stomach ? I'm assuming that tissue is very fragile and I'm worried about getting new ulcers & developing stomach cancer after. Just a thought. Trying to get all my doubts out in the light before I completely go for this surgery. Thanks

Ulcers are a possibility if excess acid isn't treated. Not everyone has issues with heartburn and acid reflux after surgery, but a lot of people do (at least for a few months). As long as you take your acid reducers, this shouldn't be an issue. Whether, there is a greater risk of stomach cancer in VSG patients, I have no idea. I would love to read a study on this if anyone is aware of one.

One thing about the staple line where they cut away the majority of your tummy; in the early months, yes this area is fragile and must be treated with care. However, once it heals and scar tissue forms over the staples, this part of your stomach actually becomes stronger than the rest of your stomach lining because there is denser tissue there from the healing process. Hopefully, that puts you at ease some.

Thanks so much! So helpful!

Also, do you think that what we eat is the cause of all the excess acid in the stomach that cannot be controlled or only controlled with anti acids and does reducing the amount of greased food and food with a lot of acid in it help to reduce the amount of acid produced

I think what we eat causes a lot of the acid. I have reflux and I am pre op, and I notice that some food give me problems

In the early weeks after your surgery, I don't think the excess acid is due to what you are eating, after all in the early weeks, you are on a liquid diet and aren't eating much. Rather, I think the acid is partly because the stomach is for a short time still producing enough acid for it's larger former self instead of it's new trim self. lol. Also, I think the acid is just part of the body's response to the trauma of the surgery. What you eat can exacerbate this, but even people who eat the mildest things often have issues with acid early on. Once you have fully healed, then at that point excess acid will mostly be because you have either eaten too much or eaten something your stomach doesn't tolerate well, but in the early days it's just part of the recovery process. For me, I had acid reflux for about three months after surgery, but then it went away and I haven't had any issues since, thankfully!

Omg! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with me. I'm so scared and confused about this whole surgery thing. My doc suggested maybe getting RNY due to my GERD and REFLUX but I'm not comfortable with the re-routing of my intestines and am trying my best to stay with VSG . At the same time every surgery has its risks and not knowing what may happen long term is still a worry for me. I'm jut worried all around lol. Never had surgery before . 38years old , 320 pounds and 5'3 . Hoping to reach my goal of at least 165 pounds. God help me make the right decision!

If you can, explain how this sure hey has changed your life and if you would do it again! Would love to know

Yeah, it's always a risk because everyone is an individual and has their own reaction and outcome to surgery. That said, for me, it was totally worth it. The acid I had after surgery wasn't fun, but it really wasn't that bad either. It was well controlled with over the counter meds. If you need something stronger prescribed, you can always do that. Those early weeks can be a little tough for some, but almost everyone would do it again in a heartbeat. VSG is the best decision I ever made. It was a tough decision and a scary one, but ultimately, it was the right decision for me.

Again thanks so much for your advice and information.. Your great best of luck on your journey , so glad your on the flip side , post pics! Lol

Aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium can cause ulcers in even normal stomachs so dr.s caution us against them. My dr. does an EGD and takes a biopsy for H. Pylori, the bacteria associated with alot of ulcers. Then acid reducers for 3 months. All to reduce chances of complications. Their reputations are based on outcomes so they are on our side. That being said, this groups experiance and honesty has taught me so much!

About the cancer fear, with the sleeve your dr can scope you... not so easy with the RNY. With RNY, a big piece of the stomach is left in the abdomen with no way in to take a look with a scope.

There is an increased chance of GERD with the sleeve. Taking antacids all the time make it more difficult for the body to use calcium as well. This being said, what you eat has something to do with it, and the return of GERD to sleeve patients is correlated with weight gain... (perhaps food choices are at least part of the fault in this as well?) I did not have constant acid before surgery, but sometimes did.... used antacids for 6months after surgery, went off of them with no problem. If I eat junk, I may get a little acid... with chocolate mostly!

I LOVE the sleeve.

I had terrible reflux before surgery, haven't had any since! :-)