Hey All,

I am a few weeks from my 3 year anniversary of having my sleeve surgery. Sometimes I have the feeling that there is food stuck in my esophagus or I get heartburn. I never had heartburn prior to surgery. Any thoughts about why this might be happening and what I can do to get rid of these problems?

TIA!

Sounds maybe like a possible stricture causing GERD and you might need that looked at. Stricture causes delayed emptying of food into the stomach and can cause reflux of it backward, or reflux of stomach acid.

I've had esophageal stricture for about 15 years, I get bi-annual EGD with dilation of the stricture. Surgery helped some but mine is still there...

Thank you for sharing! I will contact my surgeon to see if they can do anything. All the best!

Are you eating slowly enough? I know that it's sometimes hard, but try to be mindful of that.

Doubtful that it is a stricture this far out from WLS. You need to see an experienced gastroenterologist to get a proper diagnosis. They may perform a variety of tests, such as EGD endoscopy, upper GI, Bravo pH, manometry, etc.

GERD/heartburn/reflux is a known risk of VSG and it can occur even in people who didn’t have it pre-op. This is one of the main reasons people have revision surgery from VSG to RNY, to resolve or improve GERD/heartburn/reflux.

VSG is contraindicated in people with pre-existing GERD. Because of my history of GERD prior to bariatric surgery, my surgeon would only perform gastric bypass on me, not sleeve gastrectomy.

I don't have the ❤?but I do have the feeling of food sitting there in bottom of esophagus and/ or Precious Pouch, 4 months post, stricture and ulcerations confirmed, on TPN because of insufficent protein levels for healing. Dr Noria keeps stating on my EGJs my esophagus looks notmal, I am supposed to be taking either a protein shake, or soup once a day at least, rather a token meal, nothing appeals, not much tastes good, satisfies or doesn't hurt, But dog-gone it, I am commited to heal, to feel better, and finally be all well. I am red-headed, strong-willed, and won't Give Up!???