Question:
GERD surgery after RNY?

Ever since my RNY, I've had extreme GERD. I take Nexium daily, however, that is no longer working (I'm 2 1/2 years post-op). Is it possible to have GERD surgery after RNY? Thanks alot~    — jengrz (posted on April 12, 2005)

April 12, 2005
I don't know if it is possible to do any kind of surgical treatment or not post-RNY since we already have a small pouch and the wrap surgery that they usually do is so similar to our RNY. Not that I'm happy you still have GERD, but it is good to know I am not alone. I have always had it, since I was a child. I thought that having my RNY would resolve it. It didn't. So I recently saw a gastroenterologist. She did an endoscopy and said everything looked fine. We discussed my habits and she told me I needed to give up my coffee. I could kick myself because I had given it up before my surgery, but the last few months I have gradually started drinking more and more of it. And she also suggested that instead of eating 3 meals a day, that I split them up into 6 mini-meals. She thinks maybe my pouch is getting a little over-filled right after a meal and then I go several hours without eating and that may be causing problems. And, in addition to my Prevacid every morning, she has added a Zantac every evening. I also take at least 2 tums daily for my calcium. So, there are 3 different types of meds for acid reflux and I am on all 3. I am hoping the lifestyle change will resolve this issue. I will be losing my health insurance and prescription coverage in a few months and I know I won't be able to afford the Prevacid. I may be able to take the OTC Zantac and the tums. I have noticed that since I have given up my coffee, I have had less heartburn. Of course they also say no red sauces or chocolate and I found that I have to do that occasionally. But on the few rare instances lately when I have had coffee, I have also had heartburn. So, my suggestion is to examine your lifestyle and see if there are any changes you can make to avoid GERD, Otherwise, I'd see a gastroenterologist if I were you. Good luck resolving this issue. Best wishes for health and happiness.
   — Donna F.

April 13, 2005
Call me a wacko, but might I suggest eating ONLY fruit in the mornings. No coffee, nothing to drink but water. No fruit juice, just eat fruit and fruit only. Try it for a week and see how you feel. I was dealing with an ulcer last summer that just wouldn't go away. I tried everything, and the above was one of the things that worked. Perhaps it will help you two as well.
   — RebeccaP

April 13, 2005
So sorry to hear that you are still having reflux problems. I wish I could give you the answer to the pain, because I can certainly sympathize what you are going thru! (My acid levels were off the chart...) Anyhow, I thought that with the small pouch vs the stomach, we were supposed to have alot less acid/break down and that was supposed to take care of the gerd. At least that is what has happened to me and how my doc explained it to me. He also says that some docs are considering doing the rny on pt's with extreme gerd; (not with such a small pouch, but for it's acid limitting benefits); it is supposed to help. I wish you well and hope you can find the answers.
   — Julie M.