Hi, I am new to this site, and excited yet very scared all at the same time! I have had GERD for about 10 years now, I wondered how the surgery affected others with GERD? Better? worse? same? What sort of test were required prior to the operation?

I also have a sensitive gag reflex, and I am worried about that. I actually only swallow the smallest of pills when I take my meds (otherwise I cut them up or take a liquid instead). I am nervou because I read that when I wake up from the operation, I will have a breathing tube and maybe a feeding tube down my throat? Or I may have a line run down into my throat for draining after surgery? Is that true? I am scared to death I will return to conciousness and start gagging and choking uncontrollably I know I am probably being a big ol' baby, but I am not even scared of the pain of recovery (of course I have gone through recovery for a c-section and for apnea surgery, where they cut out tonsils/uvula/palate and insert a screw in my jaw- I figure it could not be much worse than the pain I dealt with recovering from those), just gagging/choking. Thanks in advance for your help!

Beth

Unless you have complications, you shouldn't wake up with a breathing tube or feeding tube or ANY tube in your airway. I'm a nurse. I'm preop. I understand it to be similar but more internally invasive than a gall bladder. But if you've had apnea surgery, you might be at higher risk of post op breathing issues. Ask more questions next time you see your nurse or surgeon.

I didn't have a breathing tube or a feeding tube when I woke up. I had an I.V. in my hand and a drain tube hanging from my stomach and that is it. I had two c-sections as well. The pain for me was very different. With the c-section my stomach burned and it was really painful. With the sleeve I had horrible gas pain in my chest, shoulders, and upper back. And these pains were pretty severe. But the gas pain was horrible the first day/day and a half. After that it was fine. My incisions didn't hurt, my stomach on the inside didn't hurt, and if it wasn't for the gas pain, I would have been relatively pain free. C-Section was much worse in my opinion, but the two pains are completely different, so it is pretty hard to compare the two. You really should be fine unless you have breathing problems to begin with. As Jensnewjourney mentioned...I would just bring it up during the meeting with your nurse/surgeon. You will do great and it will be the best decision you ever made! Lots of scary information out there, but it all ends up being wonderful and life changing! Good luck to you! <3

I have GERD and am preop. My surgeon said it shouldn't be an issue as long as I stay on my meds. I take protonix twice daily and it is controlled with no issues.

I have been told the breathing tube is removed before we wake up just like with other surgeries that they use general anesthesia for.

April

You should be fine. I gag too and it has never been an issue. I've had 2 open abdominal surgeries, 3 laparoscopic surgeries, and 2 other surgeries with general anesthesia. I have NEVER woken with a tube in my throat; no breathing tube or feeding tube would be expected at all.

As for pain, the pain from laparoscopic surgeries is much less, and different, from open abdominal surgeries like C-sections or hysterectomies. The small incisions do not hurt much after laparoscopic surgery. The pain is mostly intra-abdominal gas that they pumped in to give them room to work, and it goes away after a couple days. The incisions are tiny and moving around is soooo much easier than it was when they did the surgery the old open-abdomen way.

Thank you so much for all the comforting words and advice! I met w/my surgeon about a week ago and he confirmed everything you all told me. Now just have to get through ins required 90 day diet and I should be good to go

Kandace, you are looking fabulous. You have accomplished a lot in such a short time.

I didn't have a breathing tube or a feeding tube when I woke up. I had an I.V. in my hand and a drain tube hanging from my stomach and that is it. I had two c-sections as well. The pain for me was very different. With the c-section my stomach burned and it was really painful. With the sleeve I had horrible gas pain in my chest, shoulders, and upper back. And these pains were pretty severe. But the gas pain was horrible the first day/day and a half. After that it was fine. My incisions didn't hurt, my stomach on the inside didn't hurt, and if it wasn't for the gas pain, I would have been relatively pain free. C-Section was much worse in my opinion, but the two pains are completely different, so it is pretty hard to compare the two. You really should be fine unless you have breathing problems to begin with. As Jensnewjourney mentioned...I would just bring it up during the meeting with your nurse/surgeon. You will do great and it will be the best decision you ever made! Lots of scary information out there, but it all ends up being wonderful and life changing! Good luck to you! <3

Hi, I am new to this site, and excited yet very scared all at the same time! I have had GERD for about 10 years now, I wondered how the surgery affected others with GERD? Better? worse? same? What sort of test were required prior to the operation?

I also have a sensitive gag reflex, and I am worried about that. I actually only swallow the smallest of pills when I take my meds (otherwise I cut them up or take a liquid instead). I am nervou because I read that when I wake up from the operation, I will have a breathing tube and maybe a feeding tube down my throat? Or I may have a line run down into my throat for draining after surgery? Is that true? I am scared to death I will return to conciousness and start gagging and choking uncontrollably I know I am probably being a big ol' baby, but I am not even scared of the pain of recovery (of course I have gone through recovery for a c-section and for apnea surgery, where they cut out tonsils/uvula/palate and insert a screw in my jaw- I figure it could not be much worse than the pain I dealt with recovering from those), just gagging/choking. Thanks in advance for your help!

Beth

I had GERD before my sleeve and it's a lot better now. The best I can tell is after you wake up as soon as you can start walking this will help you get rid of the gas. The more you move around the better. The gas can make you think your having a heart attack if you don't walk it off. Drink plenty of Water also, and be sure to take all your Vitamins evety day very important.