Antacids?

I am a little over 2 weeks post-op and have wondered if I should be taking antacids on a regular basis?  My docotr has said nothing about them, but others I know who have had the surgery are to take something daily, sometimes even as a perscription to lower their stomach acids.
Just wondering what the consensus out there seems to be?

Ask your surgeon first before taking them, because he/she may have a reason why they don't want you taking them.  That being said, my surgeon had us take pepcid, I believe, for several months.  I can't remember if it was the over the counter dosage or prescription strength.

Heather

Also, if i remember correctly, we no longer make stomach acids in our pouches....the part that does that has been cut away with the larger stomach.  You can develop ulcers though and i think that is why it is taken.  Of course, that was almost 3 years ago, so my brain is a bit rusty on all the specifics....a newer post op can clarify ...or correct me if I am wrong LOL....Pam is probably a good person to tell if I am remembering correctly.

Heather G

no antacids - I was on pepcid for the first 6 months. But if I am remembering correctly - we aren't supposed to take antacids.

Heather is right, the acid producing portions of our stomachs are the now inactive parts.

When in doubt call your surgeon of course though!

Liz

My MD places us on nexium or prevacid or something for 6 months post op (I've been on a double dose of the highest prevacid for the last 10 years due to severe reflux, which is what originally sent me down this path of WLS). ....
Anyway, I think it has less to do with acid and more to do with regurgitation post op.
Depends on the MD, but wouldn't hurt to ask :)

I was on Prilosec and Protonix for years before my surgery due to GERD and reflux esophagitis.  I was continued on the Protonix for 6 weeks after surgery. OTC Pepcid for another 6 weeks and now I'm taking nothing per my surgeon's last instructions.

I didn't read all the answers so sorry if I'm redundant.

Dr. P had me on pepcid for I think weeks 2-8 or something like that.  Then she took me off of it.  BUt then I went back to smoking (bad girl) and she had me start taking it again.

Double check with your doc.  I doubt taking them would have an ill effect but perhaps your surgeon has a specific reason for such.

Pam