Acid Reflux with DS

 Ok I have the sleeve and I have terrible Acid Reflux that can not get it under control. My doctor has suggested a revision to RNY, but I've been reading on here about getting the DS instead.

My question is do you still have problems with Acid reflux with the DS?

Thanks so much!

I'm going to see my doc on Friday, sorry for the short notice.

I am glad you asked this question, because I've been meaning to ask it myself.  I GERD as well as  a hiatal hernia, so I am curious to hear what the answer is on this too.  I'm hoping when I have my surgery that it can be taken care of then - kinda like one stop shopping!

***Has your doctor done any testing to find out what is causing your reflux?  Last year when I first discussed this with my pcp, he did a blood test 1st to find out if I had a bacteria causing the problem or not.  If your pcp hasn't done that, maybe you should ask him if he thinks it's worth doing or not.

I also have Gerd and from my research I have learned that the d's only eliminates bile reflux not acid reflux. Sometimes bile reflux is mistaken for acid reflux though. With the ds as a primary operation it may be possible to lessen the possibility of acid reflux by making the sleeve on the larger size, but once you have already been tightly sleeved I don't think it is possible to undo that. Converting to a ds from what you have only involves changes to the intestines, not the stomach. Good luck with your decision.

My DS completely cured my acid reflux. HOWEVER---

I had my DS over 8 years ago, when the DS sleeve was made somewhat larger---mine started out at 3-5 ounces. Since you already have a Sleeve, and I'm guessing a pretty small one, just adding the intstinal switch isn't going to change your acid reflux. Sorry.

A slight majority of DSers have to be on a proton pump inibitor (PPI) & I suspect it's the same with the VSG.  PPI's are acid reducers like omeprazole, prilosec, & prevacid.

There are receptors throughout the stomach that monitor acid levels that tell your body to produce more gastric acid to keep it at the optimal level for digesting food.  When we get the majority of our stomach removed, many of those receptors are removed & so our stomachs can't monitor those levels as effectively anymore.  This often results in an excessive amount of acid being produced.  If you do get on a PPI, I think it's best to just take it once a day if possible, after all of your vitamins.  When you take a PPI, it can actually reduce your acid level below what "nature" would naturally have it, which means that your vitamins aren't being as broken down by your stomach.

Excellent reply, Lisey! 

Yes, and I had GERD pre-op.

When I met with my surgeon, she told me that the DS does NOT cure GERD, but RNY does. 

I told her I would take Prilosec the rest of my life if necessary, because it's more important for me to have WLS with a 95% cure rate for SMO, than to be sitting in her office for a revision in three or four years due to regain.

I got my DS. 

I have a prescription for 1-40mg capsule of omeprazole (generic for Prilosec) every morning.  I can tell when I forget.  The burning is worse than with an intact stomach, because there's no place for the acid to pool.

My battle is now trying to get a surgeon who will work with my insurance to remove the loose thigh skin I have from losing 240 bottom-heavy pounds.