Why don't more people get the MGB? I had mine on April 27th and it has gone so smoothly that I often forget I have it. My friend has a different surgeon and he is resistant saying that there are more complications and risk of reflux. However, they are bypassing the stomach so there can't be gastric reflux and there is a technique or stitch that they can do to prevent or minimize the risk of bile reflux. It seems with only 1 connection that the risks are smaller. Why do so many surgeons not offer this. I absolutely love mine!

My recovery has been great and so far I've lost over 60 pounds and that includes a 3 week stall. I absolutely feel restriction which is great and what I want. I do feel hungry and sometimes starving but I can eat a snack like a boiled egg and then I'm satisfied and full for hours. I don't dump and have no heartburn or reflux. I know my surgeon did the stitch to prevent bile reflux and so far it works. It seems that I can eat anything but just in smaller portion sizes. I only count fluid and protein. I stopped counting calories because it is a real effort to exceed 1000 at this point. Maybe because my favorite things are tri-tip steak and salad or scallops and veggies. When we eat out, I've learned to order al a carte or just bring home the leftovers for another meal or two. Most important is that I don't dump. That really terrified me. I can eat sweets but I've found that I have no interest in them anymore. One bite is all I need and I'm done. I had a small piece of cake at my niece's wedding and I didn't get sick but I didn't want more either. It was nice for a celebration.

Is my experience unique? I still have 50 lbs to lose and at some point I know it will slow and be more difficult but isn't it that way with all WLS methods? Why aren't there more MGB patients?

So far, I'm still having great results. It was my understanding that it is a cure for acid reflux as it does bypass the stomach. The only difference is that you can develop bile reflux. I haven't yet and definitely keep an eye on it and so far so good. It is one of my worries but I felt it was worth the risk because there were too many risks with a full bypass. Does Omeprazole help with bile reflux? Should I ever develop it, I'd rather just take that than have a revision. I thought one of the ways you could tell the difference between acid reflux and bile reflux is that bile reflux does not respond to PPI's or antacids like acid reflux does. Do you know if there is any truth to that?

Yes re: omeprazole for bile reflux. Might be worth talking to your surgeon about whether you should take it. I'm surprised he didn't put you on it.

My question that I haven't managed to have answered yet (bit too lazy to put some serious effort into finding out) is whether the delayed coating on the tablets or capsules is metabolised at the right speed given bypass can do funny things with medication. Like, if I'm taking it but it's not being absorbed properly then what's the point?

I do wonder though if I've had a little bit of bile reflux. When I had my lapband, I had awful acid reflux so I know exactly what that tastes and feels like. Haven't had it since. But a couple of times I had a funny metallic taste in my mouth that I wondered was it bile, so I took a Rennies and it did go away. It's only happened a couple of times though.

Omeprazole (Prilosec) did not resolve bile reflux, which I developed 8 months after MGB and was confirmed via EGD endoscopy.

Omeprazole (Prilosec) did not resolve bile reflux, which I developed 8 months after MGB and was confirmed via EGD endoscopy.

Did you have symptoms with the bile reflux?

Ursodeoxycholic acid would be used to treat the symptoms of bile reflux, not PPI.

Ursodeoxycholic acid would be used to treat the symptoms of bile reflux, not PPI.

Hmmm interesting. I wonder why my surgeon wants me on omeprazole for life. I just assumed it was b/c of the potential bile reflux problem.

Did he say that it's because of potential bile reflux?

Did he say that it's because of potential bile reflux?

To be honest I can't remember exactly why I'm on it. He talked fast and he was Belgian. But it's definitely there in the doctors notes he gave me for my GP (I took a copy).

Did he say that it's because of potential bile reflux?

I don't mind being on it, hey, what's another pill right. Although the "for life" thing surprised me coz most peeps here only seem to be on it 6 months or so. I think I better email and ask.

4 minutes ago, ummyasmin said:

I don't mind being on it, hey, what's another pill right.

Every drug has potential side effects. ? I wish I could get finally off the PPI. Might give it another try.

On 12/14/2018 at 3:54 AM, summerset said:

I had acid reflux and got an MGB - reflux got way better. Unfortunately not all RNY patients are free of reflux as well. Feels a bit like throwing a coin when you have reflux and have to decide for one surgery.

An MGB is comparable to a Billroth-II-Anastomosis. There are tons of studies on Billroth II surgery. General surgeons perform it since decades when it comes to ulcers (before anyone knew about HP) and cancer.

You're right BUT there isn't enough studies done on it's us for WLS. Therefore until the FDA says yup do that thang. It's still considered investigational therefore they won't cover it, so it turn, less people getting it. =\

Every drug has potential side effects. [emoji853] I wish I could get finally off the PPI. Might give it another try.

True [emoji12]

I'm tying to decide myself between full RNY or this MGB... I want the safest option with best results please

I'm tying to decide myself between full RNY or this MGB... I want the safest option with best results please

I think the only person who can advise you about that is your bari doc. Lots of factors to take into consideration incl. the expertise of the particular surgeon and your own health situation. Both have pros and cons.

I'm asking for people opinion and experiences!!!

On 12/18/2018 at 10:30 AM, ummyasmin said:

Did you have symptoms with the bile reflux?

Yes, my bile reflux causes stomach pain and is visible on an EGD endoscopy. It is worse in the mornings. Neither PPIs (Prilosec, Nexium, etc.) or ursodeoxycholic acid help ease the symptoms. If I could do it all over again, I would have RNY instead of MGB.