Acid Reflux

Hello Everyone, 

This is my very first post, but I have been reading so many posts in hopes to find info relating to my question...but so far...havent found any....so here it goes....

I am in the beginning of this journey and am looking into a 2 for 1 so to speak. I've had reflux since I was 18, now 33, and was informed that my Dr could perform a tif procedure. I meet with him in 2 weeks, and will finally get to ask him if i can have both procedures, and if it can be done at the same time. The TIF/Esophyx is a suture procedure to the esophagus to make it tighter for people with poor LES function. On any given day I can eat, bend over, and the food will follow.  I was told by my GI doc that my LES didn't function, and that I would be on ppi's the rest of my life unless I had surgery. I was wanting to know if any of you vs vets had the tif procedure performed along with the vs? I just don't want to get my hopes up that I can have both and find out its a no go.

Thanks...  

Why not call and ask in the morning? That way you'll know for sure if it's possible with your specific doctor/s. :)

I don't know if they can do both at once. But if I had severe reflux, there is no way I would get the VSG. VSG can be horrible for causing and exacerbating reflux. RNY is used to eliminate it. Have you talked about it with your surgeon?

I had severe GVRD for over 25 years.  RNY cured it.  If you are considering a weight loss surgery I would think about having the RNY done rather than TIF and a VSG.  VSG can make GERD much worse.

I would be looking at a WLS that would improve your or cure your GERD, not make it worse.  And VSG will make it worse.  Maybe doing the RNY would prevent you from having to do the TIF?  That's a question to ask your surgeon. 

I had a hiatial hernia "fixed" during my sleeve procedure, but I'm not clear what the "fix" was.  Be aware that the sleeve is a reflux-inducing procedure and often a doc will recommend a R\Y for those with severe reflux.  

Im terrified of rny. I am anemic as it is, I think malabsorbtion will cause me to be very ill. I meet with the doctor in 2 weeks.

I had a hiatal hernia repair with my VSG (just a couple of stitches to close a hole in the diaphragm) and a year later another one and the doc stitched the esophogus to the diaphragm. Not sure either helped all that much. I understand the fear of RNY but really if your spicter is not working right now it might not work well later. My doc deals with GERD parients and bariatric and so far we are not hopeful things will improve any more than they are now. (I think he told me 3-5% of VSG patients will continue to have GERD-something like that, not many but some for sure)

All that said it would be up to the doc and insurance if the two procedures can be done at the same time. I would go for it as the post surgery diet is not that fun and why do it twice, right?

I do not know if its doable but I sure hope it is. I see the dr next week for my initial consultation. I will post back what he says. Thank you all for your input. Im going to post a new topic in rny about preexisting anemia and see if anyone struggles more after surgery.

My doc said yes :) he said i should experience alot of releif from the lost weight, reduced acid, and tightening of the les. Im very excited and hope that my journey is ssuccessful. Doc said im lookong at a July surgery date.