Hey,

This topic is actually for a friend who has a band. She developed severe acid reflux after the band was inserted. She has had all of the Fluid removed but still has the issue - she also had part of her stomach that managed to get up into her diaphragm. She is planning on the Roux en Y but I'm wondering if the sleeve might be a good option for her. Has anyone had acid reflux and done the sleeve? Has the sleeve addressed the reflux problem?

I never had acid reflux until I got the sleeve! Now it is so bad, I will probably be on a PPI for the rest of my life unless I convert to bypass which ain't happening! Your friend is making the right choice.

Sleeve is prone to causing reflux so anyone high risk for it may as well go gastric bypass I think.

Hhhmm, I don't know if I agree. I didn't have reflux prior to my band and the GERD I began having was caused by the band. I had a revision to a sleeve last May. He fixed a hernia while doing the revision and I've not had ANY reflux issues since my band removal. I think it would have to be based on previous GERD problems prior to the band in the first place. What does their Dr. say?

Thank you all so much for your insights. Her doctor seems to think the Roux is the only answer but she didn't have the problem until the band and I know the sleeve is still relatively new (so he/she may be sticking with what is known). My concern is that she will have a pouch that can re-expand after the surgery getting her back to the same place she is today - not that the same can't happen with the sleeve but I understand it's less likely because of the part of the stomach that is kept. She is a lover of chocolate and seems to think that after the surgery, she will be able to stop cold-turkey...thus my concern for re-expansion. She's an emotional eater who is very very emotional and chocolate is her solace.

The sleeve will absolutely not fix any of those problems either.

I had my band removed due to acid reflux. My reflux was so bad that when I laid down I would wake up choking. Once my band was removed it went away. I was sleeved two weeks ago. Since then I have had some acid reflux not as much as with my band but it is there. My doctor prescribed protonix and it helps but I notice it more when I haven't eaten. If I eat every couple of hours I don't have it. I'm happy with my sleeve so far.

The sleeve will absolutely not fix any of those problems either.

I think we are all differant. I was cured with the sleeve. I used to take 2 pills a day for it and now nothing. 11 months out.

I think we are all differant. I was cured with the sleeve. I used to take 2 pills a day for it and now nothing. 11 months out.

I was talking about her friend's emotional eating and love for chocolate.

Thank you all so much for your insights. Her doctor seems to think the Roux is the only answer but she didn't have the problem until the band and I know the sleeve is still relatively new (so he/she may be sticking with what is known). My concern is that she will have a pouch that can re-expand after the surgery getting her back to the same place she is today - not that the same can't happen with the sleeve but I understand it's less likely because of the part of the stomach that is kept. She is a lover of chocolate and seems to think that after the surgery, she will be able to stop cold-turkey...thus my concern for re-expansion. She's an emotional eater who is very very emotional and chocolate is her solace.

I have found that my "full" feeling is different with the sleeve compared to having the band. However....we ALL have to learn to deal with the emotions that cause us to eat. Although surgery was a year ago, I can pinpoint moments over this last year that my emotions influenced my food choices instead of being hungry. By recognizing that there is something triggering the desire to eat, I can better handle it. Having restriction doesn't always fix that, you still need to face the issue. That being said, my sleeve has given me the chance to be successful with weightloss, to recognize what it truly feels like to be "done" with eating something (and stopping) as well as realizing when I'm eating because of emotions instead of real hunger. When you fully embrace the process, transform your life and move ahead, success can happen.

Best of Luck,

Annette