My story, a journey and an adventure. GP and GERD.

[KD in CT 7]

I am ready for my journey, I view it as an adventure. While I have struggled with weight my whole life, I was mostly ok with my appearance, even though I ideally need to loose 80-100 lbs.. I have been active in life and successful in my endeavors. I've had a good life. Recently, the stress of life, finances and emotional challenges have taken their toll on my overall health and well being. Chronic GERD has caused GERD asthma and I've had two bad exacerbations since April. This has been very, very difficult. GERD causes the asthma, medications make GERD worse. A vicious cycle. I am retired and teach swimming lessons to young and old and it gives me so much pleasure to share this skill with kids of all ages. I now find the pool chemicals are triggering the asthma and it is limiting my time in the Water. I'm doing everything my doctors recommend and still having trouble controlling the asthma and GERD. I've done research to determine if Gastric bypass and hiatal hernia repair will help with Gerd and loosing weight and it seems promising. I have a 90 minute education session on Monday and my first appointment with the surgeon on June 16th. Lots of questions, but very happy I started this process. My husband is supportive and I've discussed with my daughter. Is there anyone out there with similar GERD related issues that were helped or have cautionary advice about gastric bypass. I would love to hear your story and challenges.

[catwoman7 10,864]

I had GERD and my surgeon said because of that I should at least consider bypass, although he'd do either surgery I wanted. Bypass usually improves if not outright cures GERD. My GERD completely went away for the first three years post-surgery. I have it again, although it's milder than it was before. I just take an over-the-counter antacid (like Rolaids) when it acts up, which is maybe a couple of times a week.

no cautionary advice - I love my bypass and would do it again in a heartbeat.

[BabySpoons 531]

10 hours ago, KD in CT said:

I've done research to determine if Gastric bypass and hiatal hernia repair will help with Gerd

I'd venture to say that gastric bypass surgery and hernia repair will not only resolve the GERD for you but also help with your breathing. I had both procedures back in April of this year. My doctor said 10% of my stomach was pushed up through my diaphragm. No wonder I couldn't breathe to do anything and had horrible acid reflux.

I am so thankful for this surgery. It gave me my life back and hope repairing that hernia will free up your breathing along with curing the GERD like it did mine.

Good luck.

[KD in CT 7]

Thank you catwoman7 and BabySpoons. It's so good to hear that you both are happy with your surgeries and that they do provide relief. I'm also very excited that almost everyone I read on this site has no regrets, which is truly amazing. Thank you both, I know this will be challenging and i'm ready to go. Hope the approval process can go quickly. I love summer and want to start feeling better soon.

[GrannyMaggie 14]

Babyspoons, did the hiatal hernia repair add to surgery time or complicate recovery? I too have a 10% hernia, still waiting for a follow up endoscopy before talking with the surgeon again.

[BabySpoons 531]

43 minutes ago, GrannyMaggie said:

Babyspoons, did the hiatal hernia repair add to surgery time or complicate recovery?

Timewise I was under for 4 hours instead of 2. Doc told me before surgery that the Endoscope didn't tell him how big the hernia was and wouldn't know till he was in there. As far as complications there were none. Week one was a bit of a blur since I was prescribed Hydrocodone for pain. But I think a week is pretty common for most WLS patients to get past the worst of it.

Surgery was a big game changer for me. No more reflux and I can breathe again.

Good luck going forward @GrannyMaggie !!