Kris

Hi all, This is my first post after having lurked here for while. After a lot of research, attending a WLS seminar, and doing some serious soul-searching I have applied to have VSG with Dr. Aceves in January. Yay for me -- I'm so excited! But I do have a question about something that is bothering me. I have regular problems with acid reflux, meaning I take an over the counter Pepcid AC pill about 5 nights a week (anytime I've eaten or drunk something at dinner that might be a problem later, like diet coke with lemon, or tomato based sauces, or fried food -- unfortunately most of my favorite foods and beverages are problem foods for me!). The acid reflux is easily managed with a daily pill and if I don't eat any problem foods I usually don't need a pill (however, if I eat a problem food and skip the pill, most likely I will wake in the night with that horrible acid shooting up my esophagus). I haven't asked my primary care physician for any prescription strength acid reducing meds because the over the counter meds work just fine for me, but as a result of not talking to my PCP I haven't had an official diagnosis of GERD or acid reflux disease. I know that VSG can actually make acid reflux worse and maybe Dr. Aceves will not recommend this surgery for me. I also understand that a lot of people who need/get VSG surgery also get a hiatal hernia repair while the dr. is doing the surgery (and I expect if I am cleared for surgery Dr. Aceves will likely find I have a hiatal hernia). I guess I am just looking for some reassurance on this point and benefit from fellow VSGer experience. I will definitely be cutting back on the problem foods now that I have applied for surgery, and hopefully that will significantly reduce my problem. I have not really tried to do much about it since I feel that I control it pretty well with the Pepcid AC, but now that I have applied for surgery I'm having worries that the VSG could turn a currently manageable issue into an unmanageable one. I definitely do not want any other type of WLS -- especially not gastric bypass, which in my understanding is the recommended WLS for people with acid reflux (however, I don't want the side effects of gastric bypass). I've read/seen that lap band can exacerbate acid reflux too, so that is not really an option especially due to so many problems that can occur with lap band. Any insight you can share is wonderful, thank you!

lisabug, I just have to ask, has your husband always been a jackass but is even more of an ass now than usual, or is this a big change in his behavior towards you? I'm really sorry you are having to go through this. Best wishes for a really speedy recovery and congrats on your surgery!

How exciting, and how exciting to have the surgery when you are young! When I was your age I was over 200 lbs. and managed to lose over 70 lbs. on my own (low cal diet, lots of exercise). I kept the weight off for a couple of years and then got engaged and then married, and started eating like a "normal person" again, and poof I started gaining weight like crazy. So now it's nearly 20 years later, and I have been back over 200 lbs. for the past 15 years or so, and every year I have told myself "THIS is the year I lose that 100 lbs again!" Every year I tried to lose weight and some years I would lose 20 lbs. But it's a LOT harder to lose weight in your 30s and 40s than in your 20s and I never was able to keep any weight loss off for more than a year. So now I've decided 2011 really IS the year I lose the extra weight, but this time I will have a powerful tool to help me and that is my VSG procedure. I'm so happy for you that you won't have the yo-yo diet & weight gain hell that I've had for 15 years. Yay for you!!!!!

OMG you only had surgery a couple of months ago and already down over 70 lbs! That is INCREDIBLE! Yay for you and yay for denying those temptation demons!!!! You are doing an awesome job!!!!

Tiffykins, you are an AMAZING example of WLS success! My fondest wish is that in 18 months post-op I'll be able to post pics of me that look as good as your post-op picture looks. I know you worked hard and ate smart to get to where you are and those are great words of wisdom for me as I embark on my VSG journey. My preop stats are pretty close to yours though I can't imagine ever being your new bra size (for the past 15 years I've been lugging around a couple of boulders -- or should I say huge saggy water balloonish ta-tas -- that completely fill a 46DDD bra and enter a room about 2 seconds before the rest of my body ... girl, would I love to be a 32 bra size!) Thanks for the inspiration!

Hi all, I have a tentative surgery date of January 7th with Dr. Aceves. I submitted my preop paperwork, and am just waiting to hear back if I am a "go" for surgery. I am really excited! After 10+ years of losing and regaining the same 20 lbs., and spending $$$$$ on weight loss pills & supplements, exercise videos & equipment, gym memberships, etc. and never getting below 200 lbs., I finally concluded I will never get back to a healthy size without surgery. I had never heard of VSG until I started researching lap band (which is the procedure I initially thought I'd go for), and quickly decided after seeing a lot of horror stories about lap band that VSG is the better surgery for me. My family still has some misgivings about me having the procedure in Mexico, but I can't find anyone who has had anything but a positive experience with Dr. Aceves. My husband is coming with me so he can see for himself what good care I'm going to get.

Tiffykins, thanks so much for that very thorough response! I will check to see if I should switch over to a PPI prior to the surgery to minimize any problems during and post-surgery. I already have a couple of packets of Prilosec so could switch over tomorrow if needed. Thanks again!