Revision to RNY due to acid?

I know there are some people here who had revision to RNY from VSG due to acid. I've got some questions since I'm paranoid. :) (I see my surgeon at the end of the month for my 3-year checkup, so I'll be asking him about this - no worries!)

What did the acid feel like? Burning in the throat? Something else? How was the need for revision diagnosed? Endoscopy?

What does revision from VSG to RNY actually entail?

My surgeon actually wouldn't do a sleeve on me because of my acid. He said I would be miserable and that he wanted to save me from having a revision. For me, I felt like I had a lump in my throat - had it all my life and never realized it was acid.

My throat has felt burny, for lack of a better descriptor, the past few weeks - never felt this before, so I'm all paranoid.

I'm pre-op so my acid reflux may feel different then yours, but yes my throat and chest burns. I also will cough a lot and feel slight pressure. Sometimes it also mimicks the feeling of hunger. I got a upper GI a year or so ago to get it officially diagnosed.

If you've only been experiencing it lately, you may just be sensitive to a certain food. Dairy is often the culprit, but many things can trigger it.

If you think you may need revision - you may hold off on PS..

Definitely a thought that crossed my mind :( I'll know more when I see my bariatric surgeon at the end of the month.

I didn't have a revision, so I can't address that from a personal perspective.

Acid can feel like a lot of things. Burning in the throat, pain in the chest, or almost nothing, which many call silent gerd.

Endoscopy can check for obvious damage to the esophagus caused by acid. There is a PH test that takes a couple of days, and records the acid levels over time. It's supposed to be unpleasant, partly because it lasts so long, as opposed to a quick endoscopy. There is also manometry, but I'm not sure if that is used post-WLS.

There is also a genetic test to see if PPIs hel*****t. If you have a particular gene, you metabolize PPIs really fast, and they won't help with acid.

Having gerd long term, and taking meds long term, are both very unhealthy. No one wants to think about a revision, but if it makes the most sense for your long term health, it may be the smart move.

A revision to RNY is exactly the same as a new RNY. The only difference is you have a smaller stomach to begin with, and the surgeon could run into issues with scar tissue and adhesions.

I definitely don't want to be on PPIs long term - I really don't want to need to revise, I mean, I chose VSG over RNY for reasons. But long term PPI use and long term reflux are also both super bad, so revision is better if it comes to that - you're right. Just.. ugh, sucky. I'm trying not to worry about it since there's nothing I can do right now and I've already got an appointment with my bariatric surgeon for 3/24.

So does revision still create that remnant stomach? I'd really like to see a graphic of a stomach post-revision to RNY from VSG, but I'm having trouble locating such a thing!

That's a good question about a remnant stomach. Since the VSG stomach is already so tiny, I would wonder what the value would be, but now that I think about it, there must be because the bypassed section of the intestine has to hooked up to something. I am intrigued now. Let us know what you find out!

Also, on the occasions when I had heartburn, I definitely felt an acid-y, burning sensation.

Jen

The remnant stomach does still serve a purpose, so I've always heard about them leaving it. But it there were a reason to remove it, I'm sure they would.