Heartburn after Gastric BYPASS

[Midwest Grateful 48]

Hello. I am 2 1/2 weeks post op. It's been a rough couple of weeks - severe allergic reaction on abdomen and a bad UTI. But I really didn't expect to have almost constant heartburn. I might have expected it with a sleeve, but this is horrible. Anyone else have persistent heartburn with gastric BYPASS? What have you done for it?

[catwoman7 10,970]

no - mine completely went away. But...do they have you on a PPI, like pantaprazole (SP?). My surgeon had us all on one, regardless of surgery, for a year - but that was back when they didn't know the side effects of long-term use of those. Most surgeons nowadays have people on them for 3-6 months, which is supposedly safe.. I would definitely let your clinic know. If you're not on a PPI now, they'll probably put you one on for at least a couple of months, until you heal. And if you ARE on one, they may increase your dosage for awhile. It may go away after you're healed up, but in any case, you should be on something for it. For one, that acid can't be good for healing - and for another, no one wants to deal with severe heartburn, and you don't have to!

[RickM 1,747]

Yes, as catwoman says, it is common for them to have you on a PPI, or increase the dosage of the PPI after any of out bariatric procedures; I've been put on pantoprozole (Protonix generic) after other minor procedures unrelated to the GI tract because the body often reacts to the stress of surgery by increasing acid production. Talk to your surgeon's team to get it resolved.

[LindsayT 571]

I was required to be on a PPI for the first 3 months after surgery. I'll reduce my dose for months 4-6 and after 6 months, I think I'll completely go off it- with my doctors blessing, of course

[Arabesque 6,665]

Your body is likely still producing the same amount of stomach acid for your smaller tummy as it did for your much larger tummy. Plus you aren’t eating much & what you’re eating (shakes, then purées & small portions) doesn’t require as much acid to break it down as part of the digestive process. A PPI, as everyone has suggested, is your best bet until you’re eating more soIid food & larger portions & your body has adjusted to your new needs re acid. Over the counter antacids don’t really help as they may sooth the symptoms of excess acid (heart burn) not the cause. PPIs reduce the production of the acid.

But do speak with your medical team.