Heart burn? Ulcer? Help!

[jami.1992 162]

I had gastric bypass 5/14/20 and have lost 118 pounds....everything has been going great...but in the last few weeks I’ve started getting what feels like heartburn randomly....I’ll take some calcium chews or I’ll eat and it will go away....I’m scheduled to see my doctor soon but I’m just curious if anyone else has experienced this after having the bypass? If so what did your doctor say or do to treat it?

[catwoman7 10,881]

I had GERD before I had surgery, which is why I went with the bypass. It went completely away for two or three years. Now I get heartburn occasionally. I wouldn't call it GERD, like I had before - but I occasionally get minor heartburn like you do. Over the counter stuff will usually do the trick. I was having issues with high Calcium levels so my endocrinologist told me not to take Tums anymore (and to cut back on the calcium citrate that I was taking because of my bariatric status), so now I take another tablet that's magnesium-based instead. One or two of those will usually do the trick.

[AZhiker 2,251]

I did develop an ulcer about 6 months post op. I was feeling a lot of discomfort when my stomach was empty, but there was not much relief with eating, either. It progressively got worse and when doc scoped me, there it was. I was doing all the right things, and none of the wrong things and there was no reason for it. Doc said maybe one of the stiches got irritated. Anyway, a couple of months on omeprazole and sucralfate and I have been fine ever since.

[jami.1992 162]

Thank you! I’m scared because it has started happening more often and every google search says ulcer...I was never scoped before my surgery so I’m not sure what to expect...or if they’re going to want me to get tested for covid before scoping me (which is terrible)...I’m just feeling a lot of anxiety about this

[AZhiker 2,251]

I'm really surprised you weren't scoped pre-op. But anyway, there is nothing to it. A little IV is the worst of it. You take a very sweet nap, wake up, and go to Breakfast. Really. I work in the GI department of our hospital and it really is not a big deal. The procedure is very short, but you wake up feeling great.

The thing is it's really the only way to know if there is an ulcer, and you do want to know this. You don't want an ulcer to go on and get worse. They are treatable, but it's always better to find out sooner than later.