Miscommunication leads to unneccesary panic

I wanted the sleeve, but I was diagnosed with GERD while I was jumping through my pre-op hoops. My surgeon and I discussed it, and his main concern was that the GERD would get worse, and ultimately, I could end up with multiple ulcers and/or a condition called Barrett's esophagus. He told me that with the GERD, RNY would be a better surgery. 

I was like you, I never really felt any symptoms other than heartburn after a huge meal, and attributed it to having eaten too much. ( Which, I had...lol. ) 

After discussing that with my surgeon, I opted for RNY. I didn't want to risk the reflux worsening. I don't regret it a bit. 

The malabsorption thing isn't a huge deal. You'll have to take vitamins for life anyway regardless of surgery type. I don't know your starting weight, or how much you need to lose. Are you worried about losing too much? Like Julie said, the malabsorption of fat and calories only lasts 2 years at the most. After that, we definitely have to keep an eye an calories and keep our portions to a proper amount. 

Good luck with whatever you decide. 

I've seen too many VSGers who had reflux before surgery regret the decision. There are just too many horror stories to risk it. 

Forget about what your gut is telling you, and listen to your surgeon.

PPI's are now known to increase risk of dementia.  When that was announced in February, 2016 I stopped taking them. 

GERD is miserable and I would not put myself in risk of it or rely on PPI's to control it.

I think you need to wait to make your decision until you have spoken to other surgeons. You mentioned you have a hiatal hernia and that your surgeon is NOT going to fix it. Many surgeons will fix hiatal hernias while they are in there doing the VSG. Hiatal hernias cause acid reflux. If you already have GERD AND a hiatal hernia, getting a VSG can cause you even more trouble.

I have spoken to other surgeons and it's mixed reviews. I seems there is no set standard when it comes to VSG and hiatal hernia repair. Some are for it and some say it's not really necessary unless it causes major issues (which mine does not). I used to take a Zantac once or twice a week when I would eat greasy food, spicy food, or anything with tomatoes. Since I have started eating healthier, stopped my excessive Ibuprofen use, and don't touch tomatoes I have not used any kind of antacid for over 6 months. But my record still says I have GERD (I guess once you are given the diagnosis it doesn't go away?) so that is why the surgeon brought me the option of VSG or RNY.

Why indeed.  I would be highly suspicious of your surgeon at this point, but YMMV.

My surgeon told me that if I didn't intend to repair the hiatal hernia, that I should find another surgeon. He repairs them as a matter of course. 

I agree with Laura & that you should wait & speak to other surgeons, especially since he won't fix your hiatal hernia.

I had a hiatal hernia & a very, very mild case of gerd. The gerd was most likely caused by the hiatal hernia that was fixed at surgery. I took a ppi for a little more than a month b4 surgery & 2 months after & haven't needed it ever since. Mind you some people with gerd do get worse with the vsg, talking with other surgeons & maybe taking care of that first might make you a better candidate for the vsg.

The rny is a really good surgery, I wouldn't be afraid of the malabsorption, but yes you do have to be on top of your vitamins & yes there is a small chance that you would dump with sweets. I luv me some sweets & I was partially influenced by this chance of dumping to go with the vsg. I'm also a sugar addict which I have to deal with everyday.

It is also recently recommended that vsgr's should also avoid nsaids. I've heard on these boards there is another drug you can take to coat the stomach so you can take nsaids, but I'm not sure.

I wouldn't want to take a ppi forever or in increasing amounts. I figure that will stress your liver out & with the rapid weight loss, I wouldn't want to stress it out anymore than I need to.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do. 

 Remember nothing is forever and if by any chance you get the VSG and the Gerd gets worse you can always revise. I know no-one wants to plan for that but if you really have reservations about RNY and only 24 hrs to decide it is an  option, as is delaying for a few days to think and ask questions. Knowing you have reflux can't the surgeon be persuaded to fix your hernia?

Says it will only cause more problems down the line because in most cases it comes back and since my GERD is so slight (I haven't had to touch any antacids in over 6 months thanks to a change of habits) that it isn't worth it to take a chance.