Acid reducer...??

Ok I need to figure this out... Do we still have stomach acid in our "new stomachs" or not? Because I am taking Prilosec OTC and have been for quite some time... Anyhow to make a long story short, I was told by a fellow RNY'er that she's not had to take anything for reflux since the surgery... However my surgeon told me at a month out that I should take it for a while because I WAS having problems early out with it plus he said it would prevent ulcers from forming... I am wondering if I really need it any longer or not... Does anyone else have to take these meds now? I'm just curious if others are or are not taking acid reducers... I have to pay for them out of pocket and if they are not really necessary I don't really want to continue taking them... Chelle

I used to live off Prilosec like candy before my surgery but not anymore. You might call and ask your surgeon are take yourself off and see how you feel. If your not having any problems with your stomach and acid then why bother taking them but everyone will tell you ask your surgeon first. Donna 338/154

After my surgery I was taken off my GERD medication. But at 6 weeks post op I developed problems with acid again. My weight management doctor expained that some people have many acid producing pumps in the area of the remaining stomach area called the cardiac section of the stomach. I am one of these people. I need to take 40mg of Nexium a day. I take this upon rising and do not take in any food or drink for 1 solid hour so that the medication can work properly. Even with this high dose of the best medication around, I still experience acid reflux. I drink a lot of water a day, 64 oz Plus. I take my vitamins and I avoid those foods that trigger my acid reflux. I also try hard NOT to eat after 8 PM so that when I lie down I do not have acid slinking up my throat. I try not to drink a lot of coffee. I know that this is not great for me and my stomach, but I tried to go without it for a week and I hated how I felt. I did not go back to coffee until almost 9 months post op. I look at my coffee as a daily treat. After I finish my 1 cup I drink my water to make up for the caffeine and the diruretic effect it has. I have to stay away from raw tomatoes and fried foods, these bother my new pouch, my intestines, and cause me bad gas, bad acid, and diarrhea. I have had to endure many Stupid Monica Tricks over the past 14 months. Each one is a clue to the new Monica and what she can and can not do. Learning is all about this journey. Good luck. Monica 330/208/160

Monica, I love your new picture, you look great!!! Take care, Loni

I quit taking my Prilosec after surgery as I wasn't having any heartburn or reflux any longer. (Well, actually I got a new script for the disolvable Prevacid to use after surgery, and that made me barf, so I didn't take anything.) Since then I've had occasional bouts of heartburn, so I add the OTC Prilosec back in for a few days to a week when it comes back. I was on 40 mg daily with prescription stuff. Now I use the 20 mg OTC Prilosec. I think it comes back when I'm having more trouble with constipation, at least that's my informal theory. I've not talked with either my PCP or my surgeon about it as yet, kinda just monitoring how it goes with adding the meds back in for a short while. Sue O.

I was put on Previcd And my doctor put me on it for the next year I don't have an ulcer but have acid bad, I had my gallblader taken out in July I can't eat spicy food my pouch is very happy with the Med's sometimes I can go 3 days but then it will start hurting. I would rather take the Med's then have an ulcer! You Look Great! Heather Sizemore 12/30/04 260/130