Hello all!

I am considering VSG - but I have heard rumors of worsening acid reflux. My reflux is well managed by a PPI now, I have break through from time to time if I eat certain things. AND when I have lost weight in the past, my acid reflux has gotten better - I was off of a PPI for awhile. I am concerned about vitamin deficiencies associated with the other surgeries, so I think VSG is the best option for me - but this issue has me concerned.

Does anyone know the incidence of reflux post VSG? Or can anyone give me any data? Or any insight into this issue?

Thanks!

sorry, I do not have any data or research. I'm 20 days post op (VSG) and even though they have you on a reflux medicine for the first 30 days, they have already have had to change my meds to a stronger on and I still fill food coming up and down. ( NEVER had reflux before surgery.) So I'm glad you posted this so I can get some insight as well.

45 minutes ago, kthomsen0688 said:

Hello all!

I am considering VSG - but I have heard rumors of worsening acid reflux. My reflux is well managed by a PPI now, I have break through from time to time if I eat certain things. AND when I have lost weight in the past, my acid reflux has gotten better - I was off of a PPI for awhile. I am concerned about Vitamin deficiencies associated with the other surgeries, so I think VSG is the best option for me - but this issue has me concerned.

Does anyone know the incidence of reflux post VSG? Or can anyone give me any data? Or any insight into this issue?

Thanks!

I had reflux before surgery. I'm 6 weeks post op and am eating regular food, just not much of it. I have not had any issues with reflux post VSG. I was not given any meds for reflux either.

It's case by case unfortunately. I've heard people with severe reflux insisting on VSG over RNY and reflux was cured, I've heard people with no history of GERD developing it out of the blue, I've heard people in the clear for years and years only to develop it later and now need the revision with no weight regain problems (all tales from my team)

Generally if GERD is an issue a surgeon will suggest RNY and depending on the outcome of testing it may be the only option. But if all things are equal the decision will be yours, you have to decide if you want the possibility of another surgery if the need arises.

Edited September 13, 20187 yr by GreenTealael

I would not have VSG with pre-existing GERD. My surgeon refused to do a VSG on me because of my history of acid reflux.

Being on PPIs long term is not a good idea because cellular damage may still occur; PPIs only mask the symptoms not cure the problem. They also weren’t developed/studied/approved for long term use and doing so can possibly lead to other health conditions (e.g. calcium/magnesium absorption issues, c.diificile infections, pneumonia, heart or kidney problems, Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis).

I had pre-surgical GERD and by the time I was investigating surgery, I had no symptoms and wasn't on any medication. After upper GI testing, my surgeon thought it was probably situational, meaning it was related to what I ate, time I ate, and obesity in general.

I went through with the Sleeve, even after being warned that it may lead to "intractable GERD". At about 3 weeks post op, I began experiencing heart burn that eventually developed into pretty persistent GERD. I'm not talking just heartburn here, although that is certainly part of it. I was waking up every morning with a sore throat (evidence that gastric juices were refluxing into my throat).

Nexium pretty much controls my symptoms, but I had to begin sleeping on an inclined bed (much to chagrin of my husband) and feel like I'm constantly trying to keep it at bay.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is my friend who essentially "sold" me on the sleeve because before her sleeve surgery she had GERD so bad that she had developed Barrett's esophagus, but had NO GERD symptoms after the sleeve.

I tell you these things, not to scare you or to even say I regret the sleeve (I don't). I tell you so that you can see that the development or persistence of GERD is highly individual. The medical studies out there are inconclusive: some say there is a greater incidence, whereas others say the difference is negligible.