KadieEuropeBound

Hello. I'm scheduled for revision surgery from VSG to Gastric Bypass this coming Sept 19th. With this long wait, my anxiety of the revision surgery is making me second guess having this surgery. Background, I was sleeved 2 years ago. I was diagnosed with Gerd pre-op. My surgeon did recommend the Bypass but I had my heart set on the Sleeve. Had repaird my hiatal hernia at the same time as the Sleeve. My surgeon office requires a yearly endoscopy. It was at my 1 year follow up where the results still shown gerd. I was prescribed omeprazole 20 mg. My Gerd has vanished. Fast forward to 2nd year follow up this past June. I was complaining of bad heartburn and some occasional vomiting of acid if I have eaten close to bed time. I was thinking in my head maybe my Gerd is behavioral related. So, i have moved my evening meal to no later than 5pm, chewing my food well and limited my portions. Well, mid June I had a major allergy attack. From there, my acid reflux was extremely bad that I've ended up in the ER. I have met with my surgeon the day before 4th of July. He told me that I could have a revision to bypass or stay on PPI medicines. He had prescribed me protonix and suralfate. It has been a month and both medications have been working. Now my concerns. I'm nervous about the Bypass mainly the dumping issues. I wonder if the PPI can be ta6kint long term. I'm 44 years old. My endoscopy and upper GI both showed mild gerd and a sliding hiatal hernia. I understand the Gastric bypass will alleviate my symptoms of Gerd. Medications are helping now but would the effectiveness wears off in years to come. I don't want to regret the bypass. I'm just scared of the journey.

@mlbdl I decided at this time to not revision to Gastric Bypass. My gerd started with bad eating and stress. I first needed to work on my eating and stress level. My acid reflux is under control with a PPI. I still have little spikes of acid but I'm down to a Level 1 on a scale 1 to 10. I have been eating extremely slow and chewy my food completely. I cut out coffee and gerd triggered foods. It has helped 100% I am giving myself until June 2020 that would put me at 3 years post op to see if the gerd has improved. For me, diet changes and less stress have helped me. Another surgery, especially the bypass is major. I need to first exhausted all other options before undergoing the Gastric Bypass. Let's stay in touch. I am praying for your surgery and help.

Prior to my VSG 2 years ago, my acid reflux was minimal, not everyday. I had experienced reflux when I gained weight. I was a yo-yo dieter for years getting low as 130lb to high of 310. At my pre op testing for surgery, my surgeon says I have mild gerd. He had recommended gastric bypass. I didn't want bypass and told him if I lose the weight the reflux should go away like it has done in previous years. I was reflux free for 1 1/2 years post VSG. By then, i was 100 pounds lighter. By Dec of last year, I started having reflux here and there but not everyday. The ppi medicine was working but fast forward to this year. I was still experiencing mild acid in my esophagus after eating even with taking a ppi using with nutrition dense foods. My surgeon again recommended gastric bypass to get rid of the acid reflux or stay on ppi forever. I was leaning towards staying on ppi medication and losing more weight. However, I am still reading those with gerd/VSG and have reached a healthy BMI under 25 still experienced gerd. I will be moving forward with revision surgery from VSG to Gastric Bypass on the 19th of Sept.

I'm finally come to a peaceful mindset about my conversion surgery from Sleeve to Bypass. My surgery date is set for Sept 19th. I have met with my surgeon's assistant and the hospital pharmacist to go over my current meds and meds post op. My surgeon's assistant informed me about changes to recovery meds. My surgeon office no longer prescribes the pca pump or heavy narcotics. I don't know what to make of this. I'm a little worried about pain after surgery. I had plastic surgery last Sept and I was only given 7 days of opioid meds. The first 7 days were trouble. Nothing like my recovery from VSG. I'm praying my recovery from Bypass will be similar to VSG. I will be prescribed gabapentin and tramadol. In addition, some other meds while in the hospital. My surgeon office calls it ERAS protocol. I will see my surgeon again on the day before my surgery. I'll be sure to ask him about this new recovery pain meds protocol.

@freetobeallofme, I would love to stay in touch of your progress with your revision to RnY. I don't know why I'm so nervous now. Maybe, the closer I get to the 9/19 revision date then the more I find more frighten possible complications that goes hand to hand with the gastric bypass. My gerd is mild, per my latest upper GI. The pantoprazole 40 mg is suppressing my acid reflux for now. I'm still experiencing some mucus buildup in my throat and lump like feeling if I eat more than 4 oz of food or eating too fast. 4oz seems to be my sweet spot for comfort level and no gerd like symptoms. I use to be under the believe if I reach the 24 bmi; then my gerd goes away. However, I see some fit people posted on YouTube or othe wls boards still experiencing gerd. I have to lose 25 more pounds to be at a 24 bmi. I'm blame myself for worrying about possible side effects of the gastric bypass. The dumping and reactive hypoglycemia. I worry too much about things that have not happened yet. Up until June of this year, my gerd was not as pronounced. Not until an asthma/allergy attack put my acid reflux to being extremely bad while taking omeprazole. My doctor switched me pantoprazole and that medicine has controlled the daily acid reflux for now. On top of all of this, I will be making a major relocation to Europe, moving to the county Netherlands. So I'm worrying about would the Dutch doctors know how to handle my new medical case if I should still proceed with the bypass. My aunt had a revision from VSG to gastric bypass last year. She has no problems. She's happy. My aunt is super positive and do not let life worry her. I not at that level yet. I still have time to decide if I need to continue with the revision. I pray that I have a sense of peace about this decision. Thank you all for sharing your experiences with me and offering your kindness.

@Jedilady thank you for your response. @Seattlelady also, thank you for your response too. It's great to know that PPI medicines can be taken long term. I still have time to think about the decision to get a revision or keep taking my acid reflux medications.

Everyone thank you for all the info. I have pushed back my surgery to the month of September where I do not have any planned travels.

Hello, I'm super excited to be approved for revision wls from VSG to Gastric Bypass. I'm 2 years and 1 month post op from VSG. About 1 1/2 years from surgery, I have started experiencing GERD. I did have my hiatal hernia repaired at the same time as my sleeve but the stinky hernia and GERD has come back. I'm currently 24 pounds to being within a normal BMI. I was approved super quick for revision. I've tried 40 mg of ppi but my body wasn't having it to control my acid reflux. Eventually, I'm taking 2 ppi pills with some relief. Anyway, the purpose of this post is Do you think I would be up to traveling on airplane 10 days post op from revision surgery? My flight will be 8 1/2 hours. My recovery from VSG was wonderful. No pain, I had to question my surgeon if he'd performed my surgery as I was walking laps around the nurse's station and was able down all my fluids. I'm praying my recovery from revision surgery is similar to my first. Thank you