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GERD after Gastric Sleeve Surgery

DDN

By DDN, in Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories

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DDN    58

DDN
Posted

Hello everyone--

I am trying to make a decision between having the Gastric Sleeve or the Gastric Bypass (RYN). My Doc is steering me in the direction of the bypass because of my issues with GERD/Acid Reflux. However, he is leaving it up to me and has recommended that I complete thorough research in an effort to make an informed decision.

Any of you sleevers experience a greater sensation of GERD after surgery? If so, how is it being controlled? My wife and I prefer the sleeve over the bypass. :unsure:

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Babbs    14,681

Babbs
Posted

I had GERD before surgery, knew it may get worse and chose to go forward with the sleeve. Not gonna lie, it was a total pain in the butt early out. I was regurgitating everything I ate and drank the first 6 weeks out, so was kept on liquids for 6 weeks.

Now at 16 months out, it's minimal. I still take a PPI everyday, and will pop a chewable tums every now and then for occasional (once or twice a month) heartburn, but it's manageable. Very happy with the sleeve!

chryss reacted to this

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DDN    58

DDN
Posted

I had GERD before surgery, knew it may get worse and chose to go forward with the sleeve. Not gonna lie, it was a total pain in the butt early out. I was regurgitating everything I ate and drank the first 6 weeks out, so was kept on liquids for 6 weeks.

Now at 16 months out, it's minimal. I still take a PPI everyday, and will pop a chewable tums every now and then for occasional (once or twice a month) heartburn, but it's manageable. Very happy with the sleeve!

Baabs,

Thanks for responding. The more research I do, I'm thinking it's going to be best if I have the RNY. I watched the GERD go haywire across the monitor while on the table drinking some thick liquid and having the UGI performed (and this was after not eating or drinking anything for 24 hours). The technician actually mentioned that my case was pretty bad and if he were me, he would take the Doc's advice, especially if I were looking to be relieved of the meds for GERD as well as other meds to help treat other issues. I'm just really concerned about not being able to take any NSAIDs after surgery--hopefully the anticipated weight-loss will help to alleviate the need for them when desiring to limit pain associated with arthritis developed after two knee surgeries or when desiring to rush the cure of a cold or the flu.

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Ryan TN    348

Ryan TN
Posted

I had acid reflux before surgery, took prilosec daily. My surgeon never discussed doing anything other than the sleeve. I've had zero problems, now 7 weeks postop. My surgeon mentioned before surgery that i probably had a hiatal hernia with my history of acid reflux and he would repair that while he was in there, which i did have one and he repaired it. I still take prilosec, but no problems at all with reflux.

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DDN    58

DDN
Posted

I had acid reflux before surgery, took prilosec daily. My surgeon never discussed doing anything other than the sleeve. I've had zero problems, now 7 weeks postop. My surgeon mentioned before surgery that i probably had a hiatal hernia with my history of acid reflux and he would repair that while he was in there, which i did have one and he repaired it. I still take prilosec, but no problems at all with reflux.

Thanks @Ryan TN! I will definitely revisit my options with my surgeon. I've been on Nexium for 10+ years and it's very possible that I have a hernia as well.

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stacyg1    136

stacyg1
Posted

Yes. I'm 17 months post surgery and having problems with GERD I didn't have any problems before surgery. I'm taking protonix 40mg in the morning before Breakfast, omeprazole 40 mg before dinner and Zantac 150 mg before bed. I have pressure from the acid 5-6 times a week and regurgitation 2-3 times a week. Even with my acid issues I wouldn't change a thing about my surgery

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DDN    58

DDN
Posted

@@stacyg1 Thanks so much for your honesty. My Doc has a few patients who are willing to speak with me about their GERD issues after having the sleeve...he is that serious about trying to help me make the right decision. I will discuss with him further, but I'm thinking the RNY is the best option for me. Thanks again.

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NTL44    43

NTL44
Posted

I had GERD before the surgery, I had the surgery about two years ago and hardly have issues with it since.

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DDN    58

DDN
Posted

Thank you @@NTL44! I received a call from the surgeon and his coordinator last night, they are catching up after being off for the holidays, and I made my decision after the UGI results confirmed a hiatal hernia. I decided on the RNY and I'm scheduled for February 8th. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. Thanks again for the response...it confirms that I am making the right decision.

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glitter eyes    1,398

glitter eyes
Posted

Prior to surgery I didn't have any issues with GERD. About 8 months post op I began to develop heartburn and acid reflux. I take 20 mg of Prilosec a day with the occasional Zantac. My reflux is horrible if I eat and try to lay down and sleep. I will have acid come up and I will wake up choking. I just don't eat about two hours before sleep and I am ok. However, definitely developed these problems post sleeve.

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DDN    58

DDN
Posted

Prior to surgery I didn't have any issues with GERD. About 8 months post op I began to develop heartburn and acid reflux. I take 20 mg of Prilosec a day with the occasional Zantac. My reflux is horrible if I eat and try to lay down and sleep. I will have acid come up and I will wake up choking. I just don't eat about two hours before sleep and I am ok. However, definitely developed these problems post sleeve.

Yep...I was warned that that would happen to me. My Doc was going to leave it totally up to me, but informed how uncomfortable I would be and the possibility of issues with the sleeve. Thus my decision for going with the RNY. I pray you get some relief soon.

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DDN    58

DDN
Posted

No problems here post surgery...I had acid reflux really bad prior to, but my surgeon repaired my hiatal hernia and I have had zero problems.

Thats awesome. Were you sleeved?

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cindyw41    761

cindyw41
Posted (edited)

No problems here post surgery...I had acid reflux really bad prior to, but my surgeon repaired my hiatal hernia and I have had zero problems.

This is refreshing to read. I have a HH. They are repairing my hernia at the same time as my sleeve. Praying for relief. My surgeon did warn me that it could get worse and revision to a bypass may be in my future.

Edited by cindyw41

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Go To Topic Listing Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories

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    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

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