Will I have to take proton pump inhibitors for life? I know that GERD is a big side effect of the sleeve surgery, but I am not crazy about the information I have read about long-term use of PPI's. I will definitely ask my doctor, but I was hoping to hear from anyone who has been able to discontinue these meds after the surgery.

I stopped taking them after 6 months with no ill effects. Based on what I have read about long term PPI use, if I developed severe GERD I would revise to bypass before I would commit to using PPI's for the rest of my life.

my doctor prefers that people with the sleeve at least try coming off them at one month.

at 4 months I find I still need mine about twice a week, but I do not take them every day. hoping to come off them in time.

I took mine for the first 4 weeks after surgery. I now use an occasional Pepcid when needed.

My doctor prescribed them for me for 3 months......I had a hernia repair along with the sleeve surgery so I'm hoping when I stop taking this all will be well! We shall see!

I took them for 6 months.

I had really bad GERD after surgery. To the point I was in tears because I thought it was a myth before surgery (silly me). However, I'm just over 3 months out and I don't take any PPIs anymore.

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My doctor has us on them for 5 months post op.

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Thank you all for responding. I read an article which stated that we have proton pumps in cells throughout our body, and that inhibiting them can cause problems long-term. It also mentioned that PPIs disturb normal gut flora. I am just really freaked about it and wanted some idea of what other people have encountered. Thanks again!

My doc prescribes for a month and then revisits. I needed them for an additional month then I was done. No problems since... Until literally a couple of days ago when I ate too much wasabi, LOL! Not doing that again. A little is fine tho.

Oh and I had a hiatal hernia repair also.

initially my doc told me that i will forever be taking med to treat possible gerd

then i read things differently over the board

i then spoke with my NUT, and she was surprised i was still taking a med

NUT said i should quit taking them

since i hadn't seen my doc in over 4 years, i listened to NUT

kathy

My doctor gave me a script for the first 4 weeks post op. They ran out a few days ago and so far all is ok.

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I HAVE TAKEN THEM FOR MAN YEARS WITH NO ILL EFFECTS THAT I KNOW OF

It isn't mandatory to take them for the long term or permanently for most people.

Long term use of PPIs could lead to some people developing bone thinning due to interfering with absorption of Calcium.

There was an article by the FDA and other studies. The surgeon wanted me to stop taking them after a few months for that reason.

This will not affect everyone and if the risk of GERD or a stomach ulcer is greater than it is probably better to take this on the long term or on a permanent basis.

That's something that a doctor needs to discuss with a patient on an individual basis to weigh out the risks.

If someone is taking it for the long term or permanently, a bone density test could be performed periodically as can an increase in calcium and other nutrients -note, I wouldn't take massive doses of calcium or any Vitamin or mineral supplement without consulting a doctor due to side effects of those supplements in large quantities, people's medicines they may be taking and their medical history.

Edited June 21, 201610 yr by 4MRB4PHOTO