Is Gerd A Problem That You Can Live With?

[luvsmut 2]

I am in the "PRE" stages. Haven't had the 1st appt. with Dr. yet. Been doing all the required other dr. visits before he meets with me. BUT today I had my first meet with him while he did a stomach scope. He asked me afterward if I have a lot of heartburn. I said yes, but it's usually controllable up until about 4 months ago and then its been a bit more often (Tums has become my friend ). Noticeable with certain foods, of course. He said with doing the sleeve you get more GERD than with the bypass. I asked why can't I still continue to take prilosec. He said, he needed to review more and we'll discuss when I come in for my consultation.

My question to you 'sleevers' is it liveable and does it really continue for a long time?

Barb

[Webchickadee 716]

I had increasingly bad heartburn (GERD) prior to my VSG (May 14, 2012). I was taking a 20 mg Omeprazole (Prilosec) in the morning and it helped some, but not enough.

Now, post-op I am taking a 20 mg Omeprazole 2x per day (morning and dinner) and it helps alot. But I do find times when I have a "hunger" sensation and if I don't put something in my stomach, it gets worse. I am certain it is due to excess acid production, even with the 2 tabs/day. I'm hesitant to increase this amount, as I'm still early in my post-op recovery and learning which foods I tolerate, how much I can eat per meal and how to manage fluids, etc.

I am of the belief that things will improve over time with regards to my GERD and I will manage nicely with the Prilosec in the long-term.

Hope that helps!

[luvsmut 2]

Yes I think it does. I'm on 10mg right now and tums as I need a bit of help. If I stay away from the foods that give me heartburn, like acidy foods and chocolate. I'm good. I am starting my dieting, so the chocolate will be going away and I've already eliminated pop. Now I just gotta get moving! LOL...

[Webchickadee 716]

Yes I think it does. I'm on 10mg right now and tums as I need a bit of help. If I stay away from the foods that give me heartburn, like acidy foods and chocolate. I'm good. I am starting my dieting, so the chocolate will be going away and I've already eliminated pop. Now I just gotta get moving! LOL...

Yes, increasing your dose may help (make sure your doctor agrees!). Of course acidic foods (orange juice, pineapples, raw tomatoes, etc.) will exacerbate things.

Carbonated soft drinks (even diet!) are killers for stomach lining inflammation and excess acid production. So you will definitely benefit from eliminating those from your diet. And since carbonated drinks are a BIG "no no" post-op, getting them out of your life now will be very helpful later on (not to mention ditching the caffeine addiction that comes with it).

There is a good chance that your incidence of GERD pre-op is related not only to your diet but also to an accumulation of fat in your thorax that is pushing on your internal organs (including your stomach). This will hopefully significantly decrease post-op as you lose weight and will reduce the pressure on your organs. That will probably help reduce the upward progression of the acid in your stomach, up into your esophagus. As well, you may need to have an assessment of whether you have a hiatal hernia, which is also common in obese patients, and can contribute to GERD.

Many patients have their sleeve and hernia done at the same time, and sometimes, a patient doesn't even know they HAVE a hernia until post-op when the surgeon tells them they found it and repaired it during the VSG.

Good luck!

[disneyteach 68]

I had increasingly bad heartburn (GERD) prior to my VSG (May 14, 2012). I was taking a 20 mg Omeprazole (Prilosec) in the morning and it helped some, but not enough.

Now, post-op I am taking a 20 mg Omeprazole 2x per day (morning and dinner) and it helps alot. But I do find times when I have a "hunger" sensation and if I don't put something in my stomach, it gets worse. I am certain it is due to excess acid production, even with the 2 tabs/day. I'm hesitant to increase this amount, as I'm still early in my post-op recovery and learning which foods I tolerate, how much I can eat per meal and how to manage fluids, etc.

I am of the belief that things will improve over time with regards to my GERD and I will manage nicely with the Prilosec in the long-term.

Hope that helps!

We are on the same page and same surgery date! I have GERD badly, depending on what I eat. Triscuits were thrown in the trash this week, because they did not do well at work. I ate four and thought I was going to die. Also, grease will upset my stomach. Again, those are things I probably should stay away from anyways. Being 74 pounds down was worth every throw up spell possible!