Hi there -

Like many sleevers, I have reflux.

I've taken a PPI every day since surgery (Prevacid 30 mg solutab) and the last week or so it's not getting the job done. By late afternoon I have a horrid taste in my mouth and a sore, sore throat.

My doctor suggested taking the Prevacid midday on an empty stomach rather than in the morning. I did that today, no change. She also suggested cutting out dairy for a week to see if that helps, which I'm now doing.

Any other tips? This is not so fun.

My doc has me on Protonix but is switching me to Nexium cuz it's not working...good luck

Did you all have reflux before?

I have reflux now from my lap band. I am hoping it goes away post-sleeve surgery. I started off on Protonix and then the generic for that. I have been on Dexalant for over a year now. It worked very well for me until April of this year, My doctor had me double the dose for about 2 weeks and now I am back to one tablet a day at the 60 mg dose. They also have a prescription saver's card on their web site which gets me the prescription for $20 a month.

I talked to my surgeon and he said if I wanted to stay on it that was fine. He normally starts patients on omeprazole. He said he keeps his patients on a ppi for 6 months post surgery.

I have a friend who is almost 2 years post op and had reflux prior to surgery and said he will be on a ppi for the rest of his life.

He said about 5% of sleeve patients have permanent heart burn. I asked him also if I had a higher propensity to have it with the sleeve since I already have it, and he told me no. Mine is due to my lapband and the prolapse.

I hope you find some relief for your heartburn. It can be very miserable at times. I also have propped up the top portion of my mattress to help with elevation.

I did have reflux a bit before, probably caused by my band. It was easily controlled with a PPI. Prior to that, the only time I had reflux was when I was pregnant.

Has anyone had any improvement by cutting dairy from their diet? My doctor wants me to try this, and I will, but I get a lot of Protein from dairy so it's a bit of a pain to switch it up.

Thank you!

I'm having a lot of reflux also and my surgery is next week. I have noticed since not eating any dairy for the past 24 hrs my reflux isn't as bad. I think I'm lactose intolerant because tmi I normally have a lot of gas if I eat dairy. So try it without dairy !

I had a lil reflux pre surgery...but post surgery it's been bad...the nexium has helped tremendously!! WAAAY better than Protonix for me

Thanks so much for the tips. I'm seeing my surgeon in a week or two, I'll ask her about it then.

I had reflux pre-surgery but it got worse post surgery for the first 3 or 4 months. I was on nexium twice a day but I also started drinking a Tsp of organic apple cider in my first glass of Water in the morning. It is an old-fashioned remedy but it has helped. I now take the nexium only at night.

pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274