Question:
Question on Long Term Post Ops and Acid Reflux

Pre Op I had terrible acid reflux and sleep apthena. It was especially bad when acid would go down my lungs and I would'nt wake up until I was gasping for air. Anyway, now to get to the point. Since WLS (5-8-01) I've never had ether again. YES! Well, that is until last night (early this morning) I woke up with acid in my throat and lungs gasping for breath. Geese. Does that mean something is wrong with my pouch and there is now stomach acid there? I assumed we had none in the pouch (only in the old stomach that remains but can't get to the pouch unless something is wrong). Anyway, I've been havig terrible pouch, side and back pains like gallbladder attacks. I've had around 10 of them in a years time. They come with no warning and usually last 3-4 hours of tortureous hell. (Yes, gallbladder was removed on 3-1-02). Anyway, I'm wondering if this pain is an ulcer and my private doctor has me on Nexium to see if the pain goes away. Now this morning after almost two years post op I get acid reflux! I did eat right before I went to bed (but if we have no stomach acid it should'nt have mattered). I had four slices of toast and jelly and had a glass of 1/2 water and 1/2 orange juice that I sipped on everytime I woke up. I'm guessing it is ether the acid in the OJ or perhaps something is wrong and letting stomach acid into my pouch. Anyway, I know no one can officially diagnoss any medicial problems, but I'd like to get some ideas as I assumed acid reflux could never occur again. I will be seeing my surgeon for my two year check up in May. Thanks.    — Danmark (posted on April 5, 2003)

April 4, 2003
Daniel, 2 thoughts come to mind...1) are you transected? possible staple line disruption or 2) a fistula...the body's way of trying to normalize by forming an attachment and opening from the new pouch to the old stomach, allowing food and stomach acid flow through. There's also the possibility of an ulcer which would explain the pain, but I don't know enough about ulcers to comment on their ability to produce or allow a return of acid reflux. I'm also wondering about your ability to eat 4 slices of toast. Anyway, I think you should request an upper GI and/or scope to see what's going on in there. Good luck.
   — Leslie F.

April 5, 2003
While the surgery "cures" most reflux, I never had reflux preop, and developed it postop. Go figure...Anyway, our pouch does produce some acid, they just use the part of the stomach that produces very little acid, so wouldn't think you have a disruption,etc. As far as waking up gasping, are you off CPAP?, you may still need it despite the wt. loss.
   — Dana S.

April 5, 2003
I never eat right befoore goibng to bed, heard it leads to weight regain. OJ at night is another bad iidea. I would try back to basics, and I avoid most juices as empty calories and no saiety.
   — bob-haller

April 7, 2003
Daniel, I'd give my doctor a call right about now.
   — yourdivaness