fiera121

I weaned myself off caffeine months before my surgery. I did it slowly (mixing regular coffee w/ decaf) so as to avoid the horrible caffeine withdrawal headaches. Now (1 month post-op), coffee has become one of the many things I used to like but don't like since surgery. I still make a single cup of decaf most mornings, but throw most of it out because I just don't enjoy it anymore. When I run out, I don't plan to buy another can of coffee. I will keep a small can of regular around though, for those mornings (like today) when I wake up with a migraine.

I made the decision to go ahead with the VSG & take my chances. I figured I would rather deal with acid reflux than with not being able to walk. So, that being said... It's been a month today since my sleeve surgery. They found no hiatal hernia. And so far, no reflux symptoms. :-) I am taking a Nexium every day, but I was doing that before surgery, as well.

I need advice. I have gone thru the entire four-month process and am just days away from my sleeve surgery (just waiting for approval from the insurance company). However, I'm so worried by something that I am having trouble sleeping, unable to reach a decision. Like most of us, I have two choices for my surgery: RNY or VSG. I also have two medical problems; one is an issue with the RNY & the other is an issue with the VSG.<br /><br />I chose the VSG over the RNY for several reasons, the main two being I don't like the idea of having my intestines rearranged when the VSG works just as well & has less risks, and the other being because I have a back condition that causes me to take NSAIDs daily. I have a bulging disc & arthritis in my lower back, and also heel spurs. I take Naprelan 750mg every day and without it, walking and standing is very painful. This alone is enough reason to want the VSG over the RNY.<br /><br />However, I also have severe acid reflux. I do not have heartburn symptoms. Instead, when I have a reflux attack, I can't stop clearing my throat; it will last about an hour and is very unpleasant. When I take Nexium daily, that goes away - not a problem. However, whenever I get a cold or have allergies, I get a cough that lasts 3-4 months; 4 doctors have now told me that the chronic cough is due to acid reflux (the acid irritates my trachea or something). I had an endoscopy and they diagnosed a hiatial hernia. Then I had an Upper GI and they found no hernia, just severe reflux, esophageal spasms & rapid gastric emptying. So I don't know if I have a hiatial hernia or not; the tests showed different results and I don't know which is right.<br /><br />Here is my problem. My surgeon recommends the RNY for me, because of the reflux, which he says will probably get worse after a VSG. I pretty much decided against the RNY long ago because I don't want to give up my NSAIDs. The doctor says I can still take NSAIDs after a bypass, just in smaller doses and infrequently, but that goes against everything I've read and I'm not comfortable with it. Besides, I need them daily and small doses don't help me. I know losing weight will help my back, but I don't know how much it will help, and I'm not willing to take the gamble and live in constant pain because I can't take my antiinflammatory meds. (Not to mention that my back is getting steadily worse.)<br /><br />Which leaves me with the VSG, which is what I really want anyway. But I am very worried about the reflux. At this point, I don't know if I have a hiatial hernia. If I do, then the doc will repair it and it should be okay. But if I don't, am I condemning myself to a lifetime of chronic coughing (not to mention possible ulcers & esophagael cancer) due to uncontrolled reflux?<br /><br />Has anyone else gotten conflicting information (endoscopy vs upper GI) about whether or not they had a hiatial hernia? If so, which test was right?<br /><br />And if I don't have the hernia and go ahead with the sleeve surgery, what will happen with my reflux? Will it be permanent, or likely to go away when I lose weight? I don't mind taking meds the rest of my life, but I don't want this horrid cough forever. :-(<br /><br />Sorry this is so long, but it's a life-changing decision I'm facing and wanted to be sure I told the whole story. Any help would be greatly appreciated!