Good Morning,

I am making this a priority today to get this out to anyone that can give me some advice. I had the lapband to sleeve surgery about 7 years ago. I am happier that i went to sleeve after the band not working, but from the moment i woke up from surgery until today and i mean everyday, i have heartburn. Since i had my surgery in Mexico the us doctors have been pretty reluctant to help. Then 3 years ago i moved to the Caribbean to retire with my husband. I wont be on medicare for another 1 1/2 years so i do not have any any medical coverage. I can see a dr for $20 per visit but no one knows about this surgery and can not help me. I live in a small town. and I really do not want to tell other people my problems of my sleeve and food issues.

I am buying strong heartburn medicines and i need to take it every day. and at nighttime ,my burn is constant. I drink sips of water and that seems to help, but not much. I am on no other medications. I am tall, fairly strong in health, and other than needing to lose maybe 30 pounds i am good. I have lost only 20 pounds since having the surgery. I would like to lose more, but I never want to be on a diet again. I've had a lifetime of ups and downs of eating and dieting and the sleeve has done wonders to help me with the amount I take in. So i guess I would like to lose some weight but that is not a concern to me now.

Does anyone have the same issues as me and could give me some insight. What would be a good food plan that a doctor might of given you. I know I can go on google and research a diet that helps with heartburn, but would love some communication with someone. I would really appreciate it.

Thank you for listening.

Marianne

I'd say you are a likely candidate for another revision to RNY bypass. To have uncontrolled GERD is concerning, because it can lead to increased risk of esophageal cancer. You'd be looking at going to Mexico again, most likely, if you did choose to have a revision. (Many times RNY fixes acid issues.. it isn't guaranteed, however).

A concern is your lack of aftercare in where you live. RNY requires more maintenance than the sleeve, and of course, what would you do if you had complications?

Man, you are in a tough spot. While you are trying to figure things out, maybe list which medicines you've tried.. maybe there is something else...

Food and drinks that commonly trigger heartburn include:

• Alcohol, particularly red wine.
• Black pepper, garlic, raw onions and other spicy foods.
• Chocolate.
• Citrus fruits and products, such as oranges and orange juice.
• Coffee and caffeinated drinks including tea and cola.
• Peppermint.
• Tomatoes.

Also, if you really don't want a bypass, you could see if you just need a hiatial hernia repair. That might help without the long term issues of a bypass.

I had heartburn before the sleeve due to choices of food. My gastroenterologist placed me on a bland diet. Probably not the best for a sleever, but if you can somehow make food choices VERY bland, that should help. Don't eat anything 2-3 hours prior to laying down too. Not sure what else other than start with your diet and see if it lessens. If not, then you'll have to figure another option. Hope you get better hon.

Since sleeve surgery I have heartburn. I take 1 prilosec at night. I get mine from Mexico when I go there because I get 120 capsules of the generic for $3 compared to 42 for $18 in the states. The meds there are just as good as what I get in the US and much more reasonable. That is why so many people go to Algodones MX for dental and Rx's. If I do not take it the heartburn comes back. I didn't realize it was a side effect of the sleeve. I've only lost 25 lbs total and have been stuck for almost 3 yrs at current weight unless I go on a super restrictive diet of which at 70 I'm not about to do. I only need to loose 25 lbs or so.

I would check BP sleeve complications groups and soon as you get Medicare consider like Berry said a RNY revision. If you close to Miami I would check out Dr's there or what ever US city would be closest to fly to. Good luck and keep us informed on your progress

Thank you for your help. I am starting a bland gerd food plan and I will see how it goes.

Regards

Marianne

I got stuck on moving to the Caribbean to retire! That's amazing!