Dear All,

Having been sleeved a whole 17 days, I have noticed a very nasty side effect to this surgery - Reflux.

I have been given the PPI, avoid fatty/surgery foods, limit caffeine and chew like the proverbial cow chewing the cud. None of this seems to help things. If I'm gonna get taken out with it, I'm being taken out.

On academic research, I have learnt that VSG increases the likelihood of GERD due to, in short and without doing the 'science bit', the Lower Esophageal Sphincter being weakened. Subsequently, all your gastric juices - PPI or not - jump above that valve and languish in your esophagus causing general discomfort, pain and misery.

Consequently, what I'd like to ask all you good people, is a) have you had this (before or after surgery) b ) how did your surgeons/doctors deal with it c) have your symptoms improved with the surgery, weight loss, or just got worse over time?

Any opinions, particularly from the long-term sufferers, are very much appreciated. x

Not to be a killjoy, but careful stopping the PPI. YMMV, of course, but I had to restart it after a few weeks off when I started noticing a nagging sore throat and what seemed like hunger (but couldn't be).

But three cheers for feeling well enough to skip it!

Oh, I'm still having it in the evening! There is NO WAY I'd go without it. I'm too fearful of drowning in my own bile!

Yes girl, PLEASE keep taking it! So glad you are feeling much better!

Madam, have you tried aloe Vera juice or apple cider vinegar for reflux/Gerd?

Pre-sleeve I took apple cedar vinegar every time I had acid reflux. It worked right away. I am almost 3 weeks post sleeve and starting getting acid reflex. I don't want to keep taking meds for I heard they cause gallstones. Worried about the vinegar since I am to new post sleeve. I tried the aloe Vera juice and thus far it is working. It is also very soothing to my sleeve and estophugus

Tampa, what kind of Aloe Vera juice do you use?

Molly3, I am taking Natrual Request which I found at SAMs club which is like Costco. I have seen it in GNC. I got a whole jug for $7.99. So far so good!!

Awesome, thank you! How does it taste?

The Vinegar is very pungent. I just drink a little shot glass with water. Some people put honey in it. The aloe Vera is okay. I just do shot glasses of it when I feel heartburn. I also mix it in my morning shake. About 1/4 cup. Good luck. Let me know