Acid Reflux?

[JohnT 12]

Hello - I am new here. I do not yet have my surgery date but expect to be "sleeved" in July.

Last night I was at a support group. I have never had acid reflux in my life, but at the meeting last night several people that have had the surgery indicated it was pretty prevalent for them the first few months following surgery.

If this is true, what is the best way you found to deal with it, especially early on during the recovery process?

Thanks!

[ANewBeginning15 41]

Hello,

Acid reflux has been a chronic problem for me for years and I've taken Meds like Prilosec and aciphex to help control it. But I'm not sure if I'll be able to continue that after the surgery. Maybe open up the pill and sprinkle it on applesauce when that is tolerable? This is a question that I also need an answer to. From what I've read, reflux gets worse or better after surgery depending on the person

[Bufflehead 6,358]

I was prescribed omeprazole after surgery. I took it just like any other pill. My doctor doesn't have a problem with patients taking pills as long as they will fit through a standard-sized ring.

With respect to opening up pills or grinding them up, make sure you discuss this with a pharmacist first. Some medications lose their effectiveness if treated that way instead of being swallowed whole, so making a plan for all your meds in advance is a good idea.

[JamieLogical 8,727]

Acid reflux is VERY common in sleeve patients. My surgeon prescribes 40mg of Omeprazole daily for the first 2 months, then has patients go off of it to see how they do. I had to go back on it immediately and it looks like I will be on it for life. I never had consistent issues with reflux prior to surgery, just rare heart burn.

I'm honestly not bothered by having to take the omeprazole daily, since I already have to take so many other Vitamins and supplements. What's one more?

[ANewBeginning15 41]

Cool, thanks!!

[JohnT 12]

Thanks everyone! I meant to introduce myself. I'm a guy, 53 years young, 265 lbs BMI 41. Several comorbidities including sleep apnea, Type 2 Diabetes (barely, but still diagnosed), hypertension, high cholesterol. I have my final NUT appointment this Friday. Then it should be time to get insurance approval and schedule the surgery.

Nervous but confident it is the right move.

[ANewBeginning15 41]

I'm nervous too!!

[Squizzo 15]

I am almost 2 weeks out and have not had an acid issue whatsoever. Free things gave me heartburn before and they no longer trigger it at all. I am worried it might develop though... I hope not!

[NikkiDoc 312]

I had GERD prior to surgery and was already on Nexium. I had my hiatal hernia repaired at the same time as I was sleeved. My surgeon normally has his sleeve patients on Protonix for a few months post surgery. He kept me on the Nexium since I was already on it and we knew it worked. My 3 month visit was on 4/30/2015 and he told me to stop the Nexium. No reflux since then.

My surgeon told me with the sleeve I can take pills that are smaller than an M&M. For the capsules the end needs to be smaller than that M&M. Also with capsules he prefers that I take it with warm Water to soften the capsule and with dairy such as cottage cheese or yogurt so it stays in the stomach a little longer to start to digest.

Bufflehead is correct that certain medicines should not be crushed or dissolved and then taken. The ones with the most problems are extended release (XR) or timed release. My metformin was XR and some narcotics are XR. Dissolving or crushing them can cause the medicine to hit the blood stream all at once instead of over a period of time like they are designed.

[marfar7 1,533]

I'm almost 2 yrs out and the reflux never went away. In fact, it's gotten pretty bad lately. I take Protonix and Zantac daily (yep, both and I still have severe reflux) and Gavascon for breakthru. About 3-4 days a week I wake up early choking on stomach acid and it actually goes up my nose when I cough. Ick and ouch.

I have an appt with my primary in 2 weeks. I'm gunna ask for something other than the Zantac. I take 3x the suggested dose and I STILL have reflux. Can't stand it anymore.

So yes, I have reflux. Not sure I'll ever be off meds. Its ok, I'd rather not risk it and take a couple pills forever...

[JamieLogical 8,727]

@@marfar7 I've had to resort to Zantac and Gaviscon a few times for heartburn. I had a VERY unpleasant bout of heartburn that would NOT go away the week before last. Sent my husband out for any fast acting heartburn relief he could find. He got me some sort of mint flavored liquid stuff and Tums chews. Still didn't help for more than like 2 minutes. Ugh, that was unpleasant. Not sure what caused it, but SO grateful when it finally went away after about a day and a half.

I've been tempted to talk to my primary about prescription strength options, since taking two OTC omeprazole a day sometimes isn't enough.

[JohnT 12]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. It sounds like acid reflux could be no problem, a big problem or somewhere in-between. However it is, I don't hear anyone saying they wish they didn't have the surgery because of it.

[blondebomb 580]

I had gerd for yrs prior to mine..took nexium for many yrs..had gerd till a few months ago I am 11 months po been off nexium for several months I eat clean diet..the nexium actually was doing more harm for me. Don't eat late at night an then lay. Certain teas like luzian was hard on my tummy as far as acid. I use Kroger brand so far doing fine. Only rolaide here or there every once in a while.

[agalindo17 331]

i had it for two year after i had my daughter and 3 weeks after i was sleeved so i was devastated that it came back my doctor gave me protonix he says is normal for people with WLS to get GERD.

good luck and maybe you will be one of the lucky ones that won't get it since u never had it before..