VSG to bypass revision/GERD

I am currently waiting for my insurance company to approve by sleeve to bypass for severe GERD. I am maxed out on four prescription and OTC meds and my reflux in constant. I would like to know if there's anyone who has had this revision and if you are still on PPI meds? More importantly is the reflux controlled with the meds?

Hi there!

I didn't have the sleeve but I did have a lap band and I did have severe GERD. I met with my doctor in July to have my band removed in August fast forward to December (needed time to heal) and had a bypass. I have not had any acid reflux symptoms since surgery and I take no medications anymore. The bonus is I am also 40+ pounds down. My doctor said bypass can cure reflux. Hope this works for you.

Thanks. Can I ask if you had your acid level tested? For example through Bravo testing? If so what was your score?

I didn't have an acid level test. I was waking up every night choking on acid and she told me my band had to go. Having the band removed helped with the reflux but didn't cure it. The bypass has cured my reflux.

I have pretty much all of the symptoms of reflux except for a couple but surgeon wanted it tested. I felt like he didn't believe me but once the score came back, I really wanted to say "I told you so!" I probably needed the testing for insurance purposes anyway. I did feel vindicated though.

Hi bethmal- you're now very close to a year out. Can you give an update on how life is with the rny? 3 months out you were 40 pounds down, any more loss? Are you still gerd free? How have you adjusted? Any dumping....etc

Hi there Nicnac215

Life is pretty grand, really! Almost 10 months out of surgery and I am almost 90 pounds down (fluctuation is why I use the word 'almost'.) The weight loss has definitely slowed down. I lose a few pounds and then stay at that weight for a few weeks before I lose a little more. I am GERD free and it has been wonderful. I am trying to wrap my head around the new me. I went from a size 20 1X/2X to a size 6 and a medium or small top. I haven't ever dumped and I hope I never do. I eat small amounts of whatever I want - I have even had a bite of birthday cake and a teaspoon of real ice cream, but I don't pu**** My husband and I bought bikes and take bike rides! We go to the gym and workout! My only regret is that I didn't listen to my surgeon sooner and have that god-forsaken band removed earlier because it was making me so sick. How are things with you?

Hi,

I am lapband to sleeve to RNY over 15 years. Had the RNY because I had severe reflux. I am off all regular meds but occasionally I have to take ranitidine if I eat something that is heavy acidic. Also I am a bad girl. Went decaf post surgery but now I do have a large caffeinated coffee in the morning which can cause reflux.

I also had a hiatal hernia which they fixed during surgery. That helped as well.

Can I ask if you had your acid level checked? If so, how bad was it? What concerns me is my level is off the charts. It's the highest my surgeon stated he's ever seen so I am concerned bypass is not going to cure me. I had a small hernia fixed as well but obviously made no impact on my reflux. Luckily I don't drink coffee or any other caffeinated drinks, haven't since surgery. i can handle having to takes meds once in a while but if I need to have bypass (a surgery I am scared to death to have) then I would like to be off my PPI's.

I'm one week post op from revision to RNY due to Gerd. My surgeon has his revision patients take a PPI for the first three months after surgery and then takes them off. I haven't had any reflux since waking up from surgery and it's amazing! I dealt with it for almost a year until we exhausted all other options.