I am so worried about GERD.

I am preparing for a sleeve but keep going back and forth about having it done because I can't get over worrying about GERD. This is irreversible and I don't want to have indigestion the rest of my life. I have a little now. Now bad. Just sometimes at night. Half of a tums takes care of it. I never have stomach acid just a little tummy churning occasionally. It goes away immediately if I get up or drink milk. I've read so many bad things about it and posts where people say don't do it. My doctor wasn't concerned but I still sometimes think about cancelling the surgery. Should I be so afraid?

I think it is fair to be concerned about GERD as it is one of the most common side effects of VSG. My reflux is gone since my VSG because it was caused by a hiatal hernia that they repaired during the procedure, but it could always return.

If you are too concerned you could consider RNY instead. If after VSG severe persistent GERD develops some people convert to RNY. Personally I have gained many health benefits because of VSG so I feel the risk of GERD was 100% worth it!

If I had reflux/acid issues pre-op, I'd opt for the RNY instead of the VSG. Have you had an upper endoscopy to see if there's a hernia or anything going on?

I never had GERD before surgery. Now I do. It is mighty unpleasant. I use the medications which should help and oemprazole does. It is, however, not a good long term medication, and I wean myself off of it... and after a while, the symptoms return. For me it is not a little gurgling. It is waking up in the night suddenly choking and gasping and retching, trying to clear bile from my mouths and throat. Really horrible. I am very happy I had surgery, but wish in a way that I had gone with RNY. Much less incidence of GERD. It has its own problems too, tho. Dunno, getting an endoscopy late this week to get checked and see how bad it is and whether there is a hiatal hernia contributing, as can be fixed,normwhether a different drug regimen may help. PPI meds can be helpful, but too many long term side effects. Don't be afraid of surgery, but rather ask lots of questions as you are doing. PS not all people with sleeves have GERD issues post op!

I had minor reflux prior to VSG, but also had a hiatal hernia which was corrected at the time of WLS. So far, no GERD. My surgeon was okay with doing either RNY or VSG, but felt that with the hernia fix, VSG would work for me. I was more comfortable with VSG, so I took that path and as I said, so far it is working well for me.

GERD is a real problem with VSG. I never had acid issues before surgery and I have GERD on and off after surgery. I don't take any medications and go weeks without GERD, and then have nights when I wake up choking and gagging on acid - the worst feeling. I know that I can't have nuts/seeds/grains/coffee within a few hours of going to sleep and that I should sleep on a wedge pillow whenever I can.

I had slight GERD before, no hiatal hernia, and no GERD now. I'm off my PPI and I take a tum once or twice a week, usually because I've eaten something spicy. It is a gamble. Based on what I see it seems to be a 50/50 chance.

I feel like my sleeve is bigger than some, possibly due to a bigger stomach to start with, due to being a a higher BMI patient (my own theory). I have been able to eat much more than the portions many post. I wonder if that has something to do with my good outcome so far. Just a thought.

Ask your Dr why he isn't concerned. Does he know what's causing the gerd? Like some others here I had very, very mild gerd that was most likely caused by the hiatal hernia that I had & was repaired at surgery. I haven't had problems with gerd since then, but it's kinda a crapshoot who will or won't develop it post op.

I'd get more info from your Dr or maybe a second opinion.

I had VSG 10 and half months ago. I am now dealing with issues that make me wish I had gone RNY

I still could switch. What issues?