How many of you 2 month or more out are still on a PPI?

[Discocactus 0]

I read a paper some time ago where they looked at the shape of the stomach after sleeving and found that those with a banana were OK but if you had a pouch at either end you could have problems with reflux. I questioned my surgeon before I had the sleeve 10 weeks ago as I was concerned about this. He said that the stomach has a natural twist which the surgeon needs to take into account when doing the cut to end up with the desired shape. I'm still taking Nexium and Maxolon just in case for nausea but I believe things are finally improving; also in the BM area. My problem is that the only thing I can count on not to make me nauseus is red wine!

Just wondering!

[AutumnLily 77]

I am on 20 mg of omeprazole a day. I had one day I forgot to take my pill in the morning and by lunch time my tummy was letting me know it was not very happy. Got home took the pill and within 30 mins to 1 hour all was resolved. So I am going to stay on and maybe at 1 year lower to once every other day to see what happens.

[groovearmada 14]

Thanks for all your answers, its always good to hear others exps. I think before surgery I just thought "oh I'll be ok, i wont need to be on that stuff long" but its not the case. If i miss a dose i feel that horrible feeling so I guess i will just have to stay on it for a while!

[Tiffykins 673]

I'm almost 2 years out and I still take Nexium 40mg once daily. I was on Prilosec from about 6 weeks out because I was getting false hunger. I switched over to Nexium because Prilosec is not approved with pregnancy.

I kept saying I'd wean off of it. Then I'd read stories of rebound reflux, return of hunger, and I just never weaned off of it. I will go back to Prilosec after I deliver.

[M2G 1,836]

Seems pretty common to be on a PPI after surgery...I was wondering if any of you took it before surgery?

I guess hubby and I are lucky ones, we didn't have reflux/acid/GERD before surgery and we don't now. I'm 7 months post-op and he is closing in on 3 months post-op. I did ask my surgeon about it before surgery (thanks to this awesome forum, I realized it might be a reality for me) but he took the wait and see approach and so far nothing.

Anyway, this just goes to answer the questions of people who are wondering why they aren't on one...I would say unless you are experiencing symptoms, just count yourself as lucky! If you do suspect that you are having symptoms def. talk to your surgeon or PCP to get it resolved.

[Tiffykins 673]

Seems pretty common to be on a PPI after surgery...I was wondering if any of you took it before surgery?

I guess hubby and I are lucky ones, we didn't have reflux/acid/GERD before surgery and we don't now. I'm 7 months post-op and he is closing in on 3 months post-op. I did ask my surgeon about it before surgery (thanks to this awesome forum, I realized it might be a reality for me) but he took the wait and see approach and so far nothing.

Anyway, this just goes to answer the questions of people who are wondering why they aren't on one...I would say unless you are experiencing symptoms, just count yourself as lucky! If you do suspect that you are having symptoms def. talk to your surgeon or PCP to get it resolved.

I had zero symptoms of reflux pre-VSG. I would get an occasional bout of heartburn when I super overeat, but it was not a recurring issue.

[pattimomof3nj 21]

I am 8 months out and the only time I do not take my PPI is when I forget to buy it and run out! DUH! but I do have a concern, as I saw on a show, not sure which one, about long term use and liver damage. Do any of you have the same concern? I would love to wean off, but do not want the hunger to return, I do not get heart but but do get the noisy acid churn when I forget to take it, so I know that I am still producing lots of acid.

[Margaret 4]

I'm 7 weeks out and don't need it at all! Just taking it until it runs out.....

Just wondering!

[Disney 20]

I am 8 months out and the only time I do not take my PPI is when I forget to buy it and run out! DUH! but I do have a concern, as I saw on a show, not sure which one, about long term use and liver damage. Do any of you have the same concern? I would love to wean off, but do not want the hunger to return, I do not get heart but but do get the noisy acid churn when I forget to take it, so I know that I am still producing lots of acid.

I was also wondering about this. There is a commercial for Prilosec (I think) where there is a disclaimer at the bottom of the screen in teeny tiny writing about how you should only take this medicine for 14 days unless your Dr. says you should take it longer. Well, that worries me. I mean, even if the Dr. says you can take it longer, what is that warning about? What is the reason you should only take it for 14 days?

[Dansha 16]

I am 9 months out and I never have taken a PPI. I have zero issues concerning acid reflux. I did ask my surgeon about a PPI because of this forum, but he said if I don't need it he didn't see a reason to use it. So far so good.

Deb

[MaySleeve 0]

I was on Nexium before (suffered from GERD for 20+ years), but the nexium controlled it. Doc said I wouldn't need it post op after the sleeve. After the first week Heartburn was terrible, I started with some TUMS and then finally I was crushing up Zantac and called the DOC to get my nexium refilled (still just on Water and Slim Fast, I'm two weeks post op yesterday). after I took it, the heartburn is right back under control. I don't think I'll ever live without the nexium. I'm a little disappointed that the surgery didn't solve my pre-op GERD but I'm OK with just taking the Nexium.

[Frknmidget 0]

I take dexilant 60mg x2 daily AND Cerafate(a liquid band aid)

not sure what I would do with out it, feels like hot rocks in there other wise,

Nothing pre surgery

[BlackBerryJuice 349]

I never had reflux before surgery. I do get it on occasion now, but I've also developed a coffee habit, so there's a chance that the coffee is playing a big role in that. I took Nexium for 3 months, as instructed by my doctor, but then I stopped. On rare occasions that I get very unpleasant reflux (maybe once a month), I just take an antacid and that takes care of that. I still have some Nexium left over, but I just don't see the need for it.

[sasicas 194]

I didn't have any issues with heartburn before surgery. After surgery I was automatically put on Prilosec, it didn't work. Switched to Nexium and it does the job.

[AutumnLily 77]

I was also wondering about this. There is a commercial for Prilosec (I think) where there is a disclaimer at the bottom of the screen in teeny tiny writing about how you should only take this medicine for 14 days unless your Dr. says you should take it longer. Well, that worries me. I mean, even if the Dr. says you can take it longer, what is that warning about? What is the reason you should only take it for 14 days?

You can get liver damage from long term use with several drugs (Tylenol is one). If you are using the maximum dose every day there is the chance that your liver could be damaged. I think most of us are on a low dose (20mg or next stage up 40 mg a day) and I am sure the maximum dose is higher than 40mg. If you are worried you should try to keep to as low of a dose as possible and at some point (you choose) try to ween yourself off of them, or get yourself down to one every other day.