How important is Pepcid anyway?

I was just rereading my hospital paperwork and saw that the prescription I have for Pepcid is NOT as needed but to be taken twice a day for 90 days. I didn't know this. I am post op 10 days, I took it the day after release from the hospital and a PM dose after I figured this out.

What are the possible issues for not having taking it for the first 8.5 days after surgery?  I took it on my first day home because I felt that it would help me.  But haven't taken it sense. I haven't had any acid reflux, or any burps.  My stomach actually feels fine.

I have started taking it. I just hope I didn't create any damage by NOT taking it for 8 days brand new out of surgery....

Today wasn't the best day, this just added to the blah.

Others may correct me, but I assumed it was to help with healing. You have suture lines that are healing and less acid would help them to heal.

Well that totally makes sense. Makes me mad that I didn't KNOW I was supposed to be taking it every day.  I don't want to have caused any damage. I see my surgeon on Monday. I'll talk to her about it as well.

Of course I am not a medical professional, so take this as a grain of salt. But I would agree with the previous comment. They seem super concerned about ulcer development, which Pepcid will help prevent. It may also reduce the risk of a leak. 

These are the wild guesses of no one particularly important. But, I couldn't resist putting my hypothesis out there.

When my surgeon discharged me he gave me a prescription for Nexium and told me to take it daily for six weeks post op to reduce the stomach acid production and help to heal and re-create the stomach lining. Your surgeon didn't tell you what your post op instructions were with respect to meds and a food progression plan?

I kept being asked if I had my prescriptions,  to which I would say yes. I certainly don't remember them explaining them. I was given a prescription for an antacid, anti nausea and a pain pill. 

I guess I'll find out Monday my chances of any damage and what tests I might have to take.

Hmm I think post op my only scrips were pain meds which I never took, and anti nausea meds which I took maybe once or twice. I never had an issue with acid reflux or anything at all. But I didn't have any of that pre surgery either.

Nothing to do with reflux. I never had any before or after either. It is not just a medication for reflux or GERD. It is helpful to heal post WLS when your stomach has been cut and stapled and the lining of the stomach needs to reconstruct in a less acidic environment. Acid production immediately post op is the same as before surgery but your stomach is much smaller so way more acid than you need. Add to that the healing element and this is the principal reason to take a PPI immediately post gastric surgery.

Stomach acid will also mimic hunger so Pepcid or Prilosec(what I take) will prevent that feeling.  I have seen some posts on here from those years out from surgery that still take the medication. 

Maybe this is some reassurance: my surgeon doesn't automatically use any sort of acid blocker after surgery.  While you (of course) want to follow your surgeon's directions, I doubt that you created any damage. 

Enjoy the journey!

~Shel