Acid Reflux

Hi! I'm having a VSG on 11/26th in Mexico and wanted to know how bad the acid reflux is for those of you. I already have reflux and can't imagine it getting worse than what it can be. Someone suggested getting a bypass done instead, but I don't feel that should be the sole reason for getting a bypass done. Can anyone relate or talk about their experience?

The way the sleeve is formed causes reflux in people who do not have it and increases it in people who already have it. The RNY usually cures reflux.

actually, having reflux now is the very best reason not to have VSG.

It will get worse after VSG, guaranteed.

I had VSG in June and I have zero problems with reflux. That being said, the only times I had problems before were when I was consistently eating something bad (too much chocolate, cheese etc). Like the above posters say, I have heard that if you already have consistent reflux, you should stay away from getting the sleeve and go for RNY. That being said, I have a friend who had reflux before, then when she had the sleeve done in Mexico the surgeon found a hernia and fixed it and she hasn't been bothered with reflux since. I guess it would depend on the type of reflux you have.

Good luck with your decision!

If you already have acid reflux, VSG is not a good choice. The only fix for post-VSG reflux is to revise to RNY; medication usually doesn't fix it, and there's some risk in taking anti-acid medications in the long term.

I had no reflux prior to my VSG. Then, three years post-op, I developed severe GERD. I had a revision to RNY several months ago, which fixed the reflux.

What's your opinion on why it would show up so long after your vsg surgery date?

Not completely sure. When I had my second surgery they did fix a hiatal hernia, which can contribute to GERD. They also discovered that my sleeve had stretched somewhat, but I don't know if that's generally a contributing factor. I believe there are some other theories on it as well (increased acid production, or the esophagus taking more time to move things through) but as I understand it it's not uncommon to develop GERD hears after VSG.

A lot of VSGers are gerd free the first year, two, or three after surgery. They think they're in the clear, and then it hits.

The rate of conversion from VSG to RNY is really high. If you akready gave gerd, dont even think about the sleeve.

One of the contributing factors, that applies the bypass folks as well as sleeve guys, is overeating on meal size - that can stress the lower esophageal sphincter (that's supposed to keep things down in the stomach and not back up into the esophagus,) and in extreme cases, the esophagus winds up becoming an overflow stomach. I have seen this sited in the odd cases of esophageal cancer in bypass patients. It's real tempting as we move on in years to eat more just because we can.

It absolutely should be the sole reason you get an RNY!

I would question any surgeon who would do VSG with a history of GERD as negligent.

I assume you are self pay if you are going to Mexico, so if you go ahead with VSG, make sure you have another 5 figures in your bank account for the revision you'll need in a year or two.