PPIs mandatory?

[looly 361]

I was sleeved two weeks ago and I'm losing weight and feeling well. I can only manage to eat about 500-600 calories a day, but as I'm well-hydrated, I'm not too worried about that.

However, I've been automatically put on a PPI for 3 months and I am slightly concerned about this, as I have read that they are hard to discontinue. I've forgotten to take them on a couple of occasions and haven't experienced any acid reflux as a result. I'm sticking to them, as I think the surgeon knows his stuff and I don't, but I'm interested to know anyone else's experience of these drugs.

[apositivelife4me 189]

6 minutes ago, looly said:

I was sleeved two weeks ago and I'm losing weight and feeling well. I can only manage to eat about 500-600 calories a day, but as I'm well-hydrated, I'm not too worried about that.

However, I've been automatically put on a PPI for 3 months and I am slightly concerned about this, as I have read that they are hard to discontinue. I've forgotten to take them on a couple of occasions and haven't experienced any acid reflux as a result. I'm sticking to them, as I think the surgeon knows his stuff and I don't, but I'm interested to know anyone else's experience of these drugs.

What in the hell is a PPI?

[looly 361]

Protein pump inhibitor - stops you producing excess stomach acid and getting GERD*.

*Are you OK with GERD?

[Matt Z 4,138]

Yeah, you really want to be on an inhibitor while you are healing ESP with the sleeve since the sleeve is notorious for having elevated complications with GERD and reflux.

It's common with all WLS though, since they are damaging your stomach, you want as little irriation during healing as possible. That's where the acid reduction comes into play.

[redhead_che 824]

I was allowed to stop mine after the 3 months with no issues. Haven’t used it since.

[looly 361]

Thanks for that, Matt.

May I ask - were you on PPIs and how easy was it for you to stop using them (if you did)?

[looly 361]

Thanks redhead - that's very reassuring.

[Matt Z 4,138]

7 minutes ago, looly said:

Thanks for that, Matt.

May I ask - were you on PPIs and how easy was it for you to stop using them (if you did)?

I had started with them before surgery because of some stage 3 esophagitis, I'm still taking a half day's dose. I've been cleared to stop, but my surgeon agrees that continuing them isn't going to cause any issues, I just don't have the money to get another upper endoscopy to confirm the restoration of my esophagus, so I'm still taking them as a precaution. As far as stopping, I've missed days here and there without any negative effects. But the bypass doesn't have the GERD/Reflux issues like the sleeve does with the separation of the large portion of the stomach from the pouch.

[magpie26 244]

I had GERD before my sleeve, but it was due to my meds I was taking, I've been on omeprezole for quite awhile and I definitely notice if I miss a few days. It's not like instant acting like tums. I haven't had issues with any GERD since surgery (3 months) but I definitely wouldn't stop mine. The only time I get heartburn (kinda) is when I eat things like chili or really Tomato base stuff, I'm not a fan of spicy things anyway.

[jess9395 5,448]

My doc does them for a month for everyone. I stayed on an extra month so two total bc acid gave me a gnawing hungry type of feeling. Stopped easily at that point and have never had any issues since

[sillykitty 10,705]

25 minutes ago, jess9395 said:

l bc acid gave me a gnawing hungry type of feeling.

I stay on my PPI not because of GERD, but because of this, the uncomfortable stomach grumbling feeling.

[looly 361]

I'm reassured by all your posts that PPIs are effective and aren't incredibly difficult to stop.

Thanks for that!