Omeprazole?

[cbruce125 114]

I got a prescription for this, but I haven't taken it.

Did your doc automatically put you on a drug like this (prilosec)?

I hate taking anything I don't absolutely have to!

But I saw the nurse practicioner today and she said it was important that I started it.

Are you?

[MaMaCole 12]

My doctor gave me Prilosec. Stomach acid can cause problems during and after surgery. If your doc gave it to you I suggest taking it or at least discussing your concerns with him.

Edited August 25, 2015 by MaMaCole

[_Kate_ 2,224]

I'm taking it for 3 months. And same as Mama Cole said discuss your concerns with either the team or your GP.

[maggie409 765]

I took something for about 10 days after surgery

[VSGmary 418]

I was given this to help with stomach acid. I developed GERD and was taking 20mg a day. I have not had to take omeprazole for the last 30 days so i think my GERD is well and truly under control, however i do carry it around with me should i have a reflux attack. I had my operation 10 months ago.

[cbruce125 114]

Thanks for the feedback.

She wants me to take it for 3 months, so I suppose I will.

VSGmary, it's not a rescue drug so it won't help you in case of an attack.

It's a preventative .

[WorkinOnMe 596]

WLS & the change in stomach acid can cause ulcers during recovery. I was on something else for a hiatal hernia (which I didn't really have) but my surgeon put me on prilosec for 3mos following surgery & explained that it works better than the other medication & why it is needed.

[1SlimmerMe 122]

At almost 5 months post op, I still take it. I find that if I don't I get reflux after around 3-4 days. It helps with the stomach acid and when I take it I can better differentiate head hunger and real hunger. You should follow your surgeons instructions, it's not their first rodeo. In addition, a little discomfort now may help you avoid a lot later. The best to you!

[rnsamantha 352]

My surgeon recommended it for at least the first 30 days. I had no issues with reflux before surgery or for the first 3 weeks post-op...then it reared its ugly head. Omeprazole and Nexium haven't been effective for me. I've moved on to Prevacid which seems to work better, but I still carry TUMS in my purse too! I'm 9 weeks out, and hope it improves over the long term, but still feel the reflux is a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things.

[violetroyalty 25]

I was prescribed omeprazole as well for stomach acid, the first few days after surgery I wasn't taking it because I felt I had so many pills (I'm not a pill person at all) but ended up always hungry the NUT said was stomach acid and to take the pill and it did help.

[miller1109 116]

It was prescribed but I didn't need it so I didn't take it.

[Kiba 47]

I have always had ulcer issues and needed to take Omeprazole most of my adult life (awful I know.) My recovery after surgery was harsh, I needed the Omeprazole plus Carafate when healing. I eventually found myself feel so great I didn't need either. I'm at 6 months out and I have the same gurgling sensation as before..along with gas and hiccups I think I need to start up again! My surgeon said the VSG will make you susceptible to acids issues always. Best to listen and take the medication as acid can really mess with your hunger.

[doddsr 1]

I'm seeking some input on reflux following VSG and some (apparently) related physical symptoms. I am 6 months post-op, and have had no problems at all - no nausea/vomiting, no pain - I only took one day off work! However, I can say that from the day following my procedure have stayed hungry. Of course, I eat a couple of bites and I'm full, but still . . . So, I was recently speaking with a co-worker who is about 3 years post-op, and she also happens to be a physician. She said it is likely reflux that I'm experiencing, not "real" hunger pains, but I don't experience any of the typical reflux symptoms ("sour" stomach, heartburn, etc.). I did a little additional research, and discovered that the vagus nerve (you know, that nerve that causes the horrible shoulder pain following your pneumoperitoneum) can become irritated by reflux and cause other symptoms. I have had benign PVCs since I was in high school, and they have been very well controlled until recently. Guess what - vagus nerve irritation can trigger PVCs. Then it dawned on me - the awful shoulder pain I have been having for over a month feels a lot like that following surgery, and no pain medication or muscle relaxer will make it go away. .. hmm, could it once again be irritation of the vagus nerve? I started on OTC omeprazole, and low-and-behold my shoulder pain is gone!! So, now to my request for input - I have a PCP visit scheduled in about 3 weeks and will bring this up to him at that time, but knowing how little most physicians - especially family physicians - know about the after effects of VSG, is there someone on this forum who can validate any parts of my unscientific theory? I'm just having difficulty resolving the possibility of having reflux while not having any of the "typical" symptoms. Thank you!

[longjohs 11]

I was told I was to take it for three months for healing purposes, not GERD...

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I got a prescription for this, but I haven't taken it.

Did your doc automatically put you on a drug like this (prilosec)?

I hate taking anything I don't absolutely have to!

But I saw the nurse practicioner today and she said it was important that I started it.

Are you?

My doc had me on it from day 1 for 90 days as well. Initially I didn't really notice a difference. Around month 3 I started feeling some acid. At first I thought I was just full. Missed dinner a few time. Then it dawned on me it was acid. Actually had to increase the dose to 40 mgs. That lasted from month 3 - 6. Now I no longer need it.

Thanks for the feedback.

She wants me to take it for 3 months, so I suppose I will.

VSGmary, it's not a rescue drug so it won't help you in case of an attack.

It's a preventative .

@@VSGmary - OP is right if you aren't taking it daily, taking it when you have a GERD episode won't help. It needs a good 5 days of daily dosage to get in your system and be effective.

I was told I was to take it for three months for healing purposes, not GERD...

It's both. The PPI prevents acid build up which can cause ulcers. This is helpful post - op when your tummy is healing.