Rhonda H

I am 56, and eight weeks out (would have been 16 if not for Covid-caused cancellations) on my revision from a lapband to a sleeve (plus a hiatal hernia repair). My surgery went fine, weirdest thing was not being able to have someone with me. I woke up super nauseated , I mean bad, so bad, but it was much better overall after 24 hours. The first few days were rocky - bad reaction to the oxycodone, the scopolamine patch tanked my blood pressure, but very little discomfort from the procedures. The big problem was that my GERD was still present, maybe even worse. I get it badly - my chest, back, neck and stomach feel like they’re on fire. I was shocked when my surgeon’s assistant told me that the sleeve was a GERD-inducing surgery, and if it did not subside after a few weeks a revision to a bypass would be the next step. At that point - and now- I’m like NO more surgery, ever! I honestly don’t know why this was never discussed, or that I didn’t discover it during my pre-research. No explanation. Fortunately, the GERD did almost completely subside, and I was rolling on smoothly (Although, I am able to eat more food and quicker than I should be able to...but still I’ve lost 21 pounds.) Overall, doing good, but I also realized surgery does not take away an eating addiction so I am getting a therapist to help me with that and feel confident about improvement. However!!! Yesterday I started getting slightly nauseated and a little heartburn which has exploded into full on mouth watering nausea and some of the worst GERD I’ve ever had. Carafate, protonix, dexilant and a ton of Tums later, I am in pretty serious pain, and even drinking water makes me nauseated. I called the surgeon and he said at this stage that is probably from having food stuck in the small opening of my stomach. I hope he’s right but it’s just hard to imagine going from feeling great to feeling like I am on fire, and I haven’t eaten much in two days so I don’t know what food it would be. I’m very upset and worried right now because there’s no possible way I can live decently like this, but another bariatric surgery is just absolutely out of the question. I know this is really just a recount of my experience and not so much an answer to your question. If you would have asked me two days ago, I would have strongly recommended the revision but if how I’m feeling now is how it’s going to be, no way. Of course, I’m hoping tomorrow I’m just miraculously better. I think the really important thing is just to discuss thoroughly and completely the GERD situation with your surgeon......Best of luck to you!