Gastric Juices - Pantoprazole - post op

Hey Everyone,

Sleeve Surgery was Nov 21, 2017 - and I am still having to take my PPI for my gastric juices.. anyone know if this ever ends? It has subsided somewhat, and I am at a point where I don't take it every day - but I can still feel those juices creep up..

Search for GERD on this site. It's pretty common post-VSG and is important to control as it can eventually lead to esophageal cancer after years of bathing the esophagus in acid. Make sure your doctor knows you have it too.

Discuss with your doctor as to when and how you should try to work off of the PPI. These drugs don't take well to simply stopping them as that can cause a rebound reflux reaction; typically one weans off of the PPI by cutting the dose back, sometimes with a substitution of an H2I class of acid reducer such as Pepcid or Zantac (which are generally kinder to us than PPIs, but often less effective.) Many will get off of the meds but some will need them long term, as the alternative is even less "interesting".

I was on a prescription PPI, Dexilant, for one year post-op. After that, it calmed down and I didn't need the meds anymore.

PPIs are a hard drug to stop due to the rebound effect. I had to ween off. I still take about 1-2 pill per week if I feel the GERD is creeping up. You could try tums in between to help with the weening, but if not controlled it can lead to damage. I also started taking mine at night in hopes it would mess with the absorption of my vitamins and food less (just my own theory).

Thanks... I am starting to be able to take them intermittently - usually after I eat spicy foods which i OH SO LOVE..but have learnt to tame my desire for spice down some .. the after effects are not as pleasant ..

Yeah I love spicy stuff too, but doesn't always agree with me either. Glad your are able to take less. I also found listening to my signals help (not over eating).