Acid Reflux

My surgery is on Monday 3/23. I've had reflux problems for years but nothing that couldn't be solved by taking a Tums. My problems mainly occurred at night. Since I've been on the 10 day pre-op diet my reflux and gotten a bit worse. Tums no longer works and I have to take Prilosec or Tagamet.

Does this mean my reflux will get even worse after surgery? Am I more prone to have problems with nausea? I'm just curious as to whether anyone else has experienced the same thing.

Thanks

I've been on a PPI for years now. I'm also wondering how much worse it's going to get after the VSG. Unfortunately (even with the VSG's history of being problematic in regards to reflux for some patients) I didn't have a choice in surgeries - I have to start with the VSG and get the DS later instead of just doing the whole DS at once due to how high my starting weight is. 

Hi There. I never had reflux at all until after my sleeve and have to say it is significantly worse. Even 8 years down the track with weight going back on , my reflux has got progressively worse to the point i am having to take two tablets a day and considering a revision purely around reflux let alone putting weight back on as tummy has gone back to nearly original size.

It might get worse after VSG, yes.  Do you know if you have a hernia that might be causing the reflux?  Normally people with bad reflux or GERD are steered toward RNY instead of VSG. 

I don't know if I have a hernia. In the past I've just taken a Tums and have no more problems. Since I've started my pre op diet is when my symptoms have increased.

My guess is that you're eating significantly less on your pre-op diet, yes?  But your stomach is still producing the same amount of acid, so you get heartburn.  That's why many practices routinely put their WLS patients on an acid reducer or suppressor for a period of time after surgery. 

This is what our center does also.

 

I'd recommend talking with your surgeon about this.  

It may get worse after the sleeve - be prepared for that.

For this reason, many like you are referred to the RNY, which resolves the problem.

Typically, moderate to severe reflux is a contraindication for VSG.  Meaning:  VSG makes it worse, not better, and it's not the ideal surgery.  However, if your reflux is tied to a hiatal hernie and they will be repairing that , it may not be bad news.  

I didn't have reflux before surgery and the VSG gave me HORRIBLE reflux - horrible :-(  And I ended up being allergic to the Prilosec and Zantac they prescribed.  I finally went on Protonix and have taken that ever since.  Even now, I still have to occasionally pop some Tums for breakthough acid.   

I know you don't want to hear this at the 11th hour, but going forward with a surgery that can potentially worsen your issue is ill-advised.  I have a good friend who insisted on the surgery regardless of her issues.  Less than 2 years later she had to be switched to a RNY because the acid was choking her at night and nothing was helping.  And constant excess acid can lead to seroius problems like esophageal cancer.  It's nothing to take lightly or mess around with.