Question:
Could someone explain to me how physically a post op can have acid refux?
I thought our stomachs were separated from the pouch...how in the world does it come up? — [Anonymous] (posted on December 10, 2001)
December 10, 2001
I would like to hear the answer to your question also. I have been put on
liquid pepcid so that the acid does not irritate a tear I have in my
stomach. The tear was from throwing up so much before I found out that I
had a stricture, but thats another story. I hope you get some answers.
— Cheri M.
December 10, 2001
I know people who have had the VBG that still had acid
reflux after surgery, but I haven't heard of anyone that's
had an RNY still having acid reflux. I was on medication
for acid reflux and it was completely cured after having
my RNY.
— [Anonymous]
December 10, 2001
Yes... your stomach has been seperated from the new little pouch, but the
new little pouch still produces acid to digest the food you eat, just not
as much. I am guessing if you are a person who produces alot of acid you
could once again start suffering from acid reflux. Personally, I have not
heard of RNY patients having acid reflux afterwards, just VBG patients. I
suffered from it horribly before the surgery but have not had one episode
since...
— Kellie Jo B.
December 10, 2001
Not to be argumentative, but according to my dr the new tummy does not
produce acid, which is one of the reasons if meat gets stuck you might have
to take a little adolph's meat tenderizer or get it extracted, there's
nothing to work on dissolving it. Also that's one of the reasons we chew so
much, because how it goes down is how it goes through (or not), there is no
more work done on it in the pouch. Again, quoting my dr, acid reflux is
cured totally by rny because the vargas(sp?) nerves that produce acid are
separated from the surgery. Personally, I'd call the dr and find out if I
had some sort of staple line disruption if I got acid reflux again. I lived
on tums and pepcid and have not had any problems with reflux. The bottom
tummy does still produce acid and this is what can cause ulcers later on,
but you shouldn't be having acid reflux. Good luck
— Becky K.
July 22, 2002
DONT LET KNOW ONE KID YOU I HAVE ACID REFLUX AND IT WAS UNDER CONTROL
UNTILL I HAD OPEN RNY ON JULY 10TH.NOW ITS WORSE.
— deb44m
September 1, 2002
Are you talking ACID REFLUX or just REFLUX. I had acid reflux before RNY,
now I suffer from relux, without the acid, I have no burning. Many people
suffer from acid reflux because the valve muscle is weak going into the
stomach. I took previcid before and still take it. The valve is still weak
and will most likly stay weak. If I miss a couple days of meds and over eat
I can feel the food in my esophagus. If I take my meds regularly I don't
have any problems. Good luck
— Cathy B.
September 4, 2003
I have been taking prevacid (or prilosec) for years, but since my surgery 4
weeks ago I have not needed it. The doc told me I'd be able to get off
that med immediately. There is no (or very little) acid, so acid reflux is
a non-issue. I have a hiatel hernia, too, but so far, so good.
— terriny
January 21, 2004
I am 6 months post-op. Before my Open RNY I had acid reflux and have been
taking ranitidine for several years. Even though I take an evening pill,
sometimes I experience acid reflux --- except now it is much more severe.
I am awake now (2:30 AM) because of an episode of waking up swallowing acid
in my throat -- so bad that it made my ears ache. These bad episodes have
been happening a few nights a week for the past few weeks. I have already
called my doctor and scheduled an appointment.
I try to follow all the doctor's orders --- no eating for at least 4 hours
before bedtime -- especially no fatty or spicy/acidic foods. But it still
happens.
I don't know all the medical stuff, like whether or not I still produce
acid. I only know that what I experience during the episodes like tonight,
it's just like before my surgery --- just worse and lasts longer.
— Harriet W.
September 28, 2004
I have had Gerd for 20 years. It has gotten really bad since 99. I've been
on one med or another for years. I am one year from RNY and have not healed
from the surgery yet because of the Gerd. I'm taking double doses and 3
different stomach meds. The surgeon kept telling me I couldn't still Gerd
because the pouch doesn't produce any acid. I've had 2 scopes and I have
major acid in my pouch along with the ulcers. So, yes it can and does
happen.
— Nut Picker
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