Reflux!! Holy Batman

Hey there

I am looking to see what has worked for reflux. I am on an PPI 2 times a day, I could eat tums like candy I think and nothing seems to get rid of it. I had a test for H Pylori and an Upper GI swallow test today. I have been referred back to the surgeon. My bed is evaluated, I take a probotic everyday and try to not eat anything that is acidic. I need this pain to stop ASAP.

The only real fix action for GERD after VSG seems to be revision to RNY. Research has found that long-term PPI usage is detrimental and doesn't prevent esophageal cancer from developing. I'd recommend that you talk to your surgeon about revision.

Here is my personal experience: I never had reflux before surgery and woke up from surgery with intense GERD. It was mostly controlled through Nexium and mylanta for the first 1.5 years post-op but I was always trying to wean off of the PPI because of the downsides to long-term PPI use. During brief periods where my reflux was less intense and I didn't have to take the PPI, I could still feel bubbling and churning in my stomach which made me scared that even when I wasn't feeling reflux, esophageal damage was still happening. I made an appointment with a GI surgeon with experience with reflux after VSG, especially using the STRETTA procedure, but the appointment was many months in the future. I ended up canceling that appointment, because my reflux has been completely gone for the last 2 months - not even bubbling.

Here is what works for me right now, but who knows what will happen in the future:

• Sugar alcohols, especially erythritol, give me heartburn. Potentially artificial sweeteners as well.
• Eating anything, no matter what, after 7pm gives me heartburn. This is true whether I lie down right away or hours after I've eaten.
• If I don't eat enough salt, I get heartburn. I make a point of eating extra salt.
• I eat low carb but not always keto and I practice intermittent fasting. This possibly may help with the heartburn but I was doing these things in the first 1.5 years out from surgery too.

I know that you're not interested in advice, but I do hope you know that GERD can be silent - i.e., you can experience esophageal damage/cancer even if you're not feeling reflux, bubbling, etc. I'm sorry you canceled your appointment.