Hi everyone!

Brand new to the forums here. I am gearing up for my December 15, Roux-en Y surgery at Stanford Medical. I know that a majority of patients get the RNY for weight loss. I've been having a hard time finding people who have the surgery to purely address GERD/Acid Reflux. Is there a thread here specifically for this? I'd love to find some people going through the same thing so I can be supportive as well. ?

Hello,

I had severe gerd due to hiatel hernia (stomach was 4 inches into chest cavity), and stomach polups. I hd no other choice but to have bypass. I don’t have Gerd anymore, but occasionally I feel a burning in my stomach when I need to eat. I hate this surgery!! I’m miserable and nauseous all the time and I feel very sad I can’t enjoy food anymore. it’s quite depressing.

I had GERD pretty bad pre RNY and since surgery have had zero issues. My surgery was for Weight with gerd a secondary issue.

I still have gerd and acid reflux

Hi again,

You are not alone.... It has been two years since my surgery and even with all the problems I am happy that I did it, and I no longer have any sign of GERDS or Barrett's Esophagus. Although I have lost too much weight and struggle to stay at 127 lbs. I am 5'7". My surgeon prescribed a drug named Creon 36000 it is pancreatic enzymes from a pig, yes the same pigs that we eat. I have been taking it for a few months and I take two before all meals and snacks.. It has helped quite a bit with my digestion.

Thanks, Alexandra

Thanks for the info! Does this help with nausea? That’s my main issue. Digestion is not issue for me. I get terribly nauseous with every meal?

Thanks for the info! Does this help with nausea? That’s my main issue. Digestion is not issue for me. I get terribly nauseous with every meal[emoji22]

Zofran helps me and walking helps me also.

Yes the Creon 3600 units helps me a lot.

I was at the point of not wanting to eat at all because I hurt so much after eating anything, sick of burping so much that I couldn't eat even I wanted to. My chest hurting so bad from burping every 3 seconds for 15 to 20 minutes after and every muscle in my torso screaming in pain. Most of the time after trying to eat I had to lay down and sleep so everything would relax so I could escape from the pain.

One other tip that I just thought of SLOW DOWN small bites chew a lot and I mean a lot and take time in-between bites to let it get down before taking another bite.

It has been just over 2 years and it get a little better each month but sometimes I still don't want to eat because it still hurts. But if I take the Creon and eat really slow (sometimes I put my plate down for over an hour before going back to it. I'm getting better slowly! And I have to say it is still worth it even with all the problems.

Thanks for listening, Alexandra

Oh sorry your question about nausea yes the Creon helps me to keep things down.

I know it is really tough and very depressing but so is thinking about living the way we were before surgery. We have to find happiness in other places rather than food. I am happy NOT have the fear of cancer in my esophagus in my the future. Every time I start to get down and depressed because of my problems with eating, nausea, belching and diarrhea. I thank god I didn't have to go through cancer of my esophagus. I too use to use food as something that would make me happy but the way I was living food did not make me happy. Count your blessings! Look around at your life and really look hard there are small blessings everywhere... Happiness starts in our own heart and head. We really are in control not food, things or someone else.... only us.

I am doing the bypass for my Hiatal Hernia which caused GERD and Esophageal Spasms. Due to my weight the standard procedure is not an option. As my insurance coverage does not cover "weight loss surgery or medications" it was a 10 month multi appeal process to get my surgery approved.

I do hope your post surgery is going well! Mine is scheduled for March 10th.

On 1/24/2021 at 2:11 AM, droose said:

I am doing the bypass for my Hiatal Hernia which caused GERD and Esophageal Spasms. Due to my weight the standard procedure is not an option. As my insurance coverage does not cover "weight loss surgery or medications" it was a 10 month multi appeal process to get my surgery approved.

I do hope your post surgery is going well! Mine is scheduled for March 10th.

Me too! Exactly Word for Word. I’ve had severe Gerd, esophageal spasms, large hiatal hernia, and food acid reflux at night despite being on some sort of anti-acid/PPI since I was 20. Being overweight I did not qualify for the fundilplication which was the standard surgical procedure. I work at Mayo and when they suggested the gastric bypass I really was not interested. It took me 7 Months to finally make the decision and get it done. The reflux is gone, and the weight loss is a win-win. My surgery was 2/24/2021

I had my surgery for hiatal hernia repair and resolution with Barrett's esophagus brought on by GERD. Also, the weightless lol They still have me on my omeprazole for now but I have had absolutely no break through heartburn and am looking forward to finally coming off the medicine after 6 months of recovery.

I had surgery 6 months ago (8/24/2020), due to GERD and what the surgeon refered to as a huge hiatal hernia. The acid had eroded by throat so badly that I could not physically swallow some days. Nothing was working, max doses of both Omeprazole and Famotidine as well as swigging Malox nightly and still having break through acid, I also required a muscle relaxant to allow me to eat. Gastric bypass was my last resort (and actually started out as kind of a joke -"remove my stomach and the acid will stop") Until a surgeon told me that thay might be the ultimate solution for my problem. While getting use to this new way of life has been difficult at the beginnig. There were many day I cried "why did I do this" it is a vast improvement from the possibility of worsing dysphsia and esophageal cancer. I no longer require any medication, have not had any reflux at all and while the quantity is greatly deminished I can eat almost anything I want. The bonus is i no longer require BP medication and the weight loss of course. 80lbs down and I feel better in my own skin, as well as being healthier and happier.

Our stories are similar. I too agree I’m healthier now, but it is difficult at times as food just makes me sick. Im hoping as time passes it gets easier

I’m scheduled for bypass in a week. It’s a revision from a sleeve. I’m having bile reflux and that’s the primary reason I’m doing the surgery. I’ve had some pretty mixed feelings about it, but logically it is the best choice.