How long were you on an acid reducer?

I had RNY instead of sleeve primarily because of my severe GERD. My main symptom was always waves of nausea every day (even on meds), and I have had zero nausea since surgery 11 days ago, which I'm thrilled about. I'd been on Prilosec twice a day for years before surgery, but my doc puts everyone on twice daily 20mg Pepcid after since the pills are smaller and easier to swallow. Should I expect to be on that forever even though my GERD seems to have disappeared? If you were on a PPI or similar acid reducer after surgery, how long did that last? I would love to be able to stop another medication!

I'm 8 days post op and had RNY because of severe heartburn and am on 20mg Prilosec daily. My surgeon and doctors said I will be on it at least 3 months even though the symptoms are gone. At this stage it is really important that the acid still be controlled while the pouch is healing or we could cause damage to our pouch and esophagus. You might be in the same boat. 

Keep me posted. 

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense, and now that you mention 3 months, I think I do remember my PA saying something about everyone (regardless of pre-op GERD) being on Pepcid for 4 months afterwards.

I am 6 years out, after RNY, I am still taking 30mg Prevacid once a day. If I go more than 3 days with out it I start to feel the acid. but everyone of us is different. Bst wishes

I just had my one month follow up and my doc said that I need to finish the bottle and then I'll be good to go. I think I have a 90 day supply - so 60ish to go. I had very similar symptoms as you - frequent nausea and was in Pepcid since before surgery. Which I thought would predispose me to nausea after the surgery like so many people complain about. But I've had zero nausea! It's awesome! 

That's awesome! I hope to stay in that same boat once I start food I have to chew, lol.

Most surgeons keep you on it a minimum of 3 months. I still take cycles of it for prevention. 

I had my 1 month check up and still having GERD but not as severe as before surgery. My doctor wants me on it until I see him in 2 months and we'll evaluate again.

My surgeon suggests we stay on Prilosec for 6 months to prevent acid from causing any harm to our pouch.  I was never a sufferer of GERD and haven't had any issues since surgery (9 weeks out) so I'll choke down one more pill for a few more months. :-)

Hi, 

i was told only 3 months also. I tried to stop taking Prilosec 2 different times and have been in extreme pain! I did drop it to 1 daily instead of 2 and that has been working for me. I am scared to stop taking it again lol. I was wondering the same thing though. I have been taking this for almost 2 years now. 

Ella