Does Reflux With Band = Reflux With The Sleeve?

[PJ_Sleeve 45]

History: I dealt with reflux before the band. When I was banded in 2007, the doc also corrected my hiatal hernia during the surgery. There were days I would experience reflux in the beginning, but I have to admit the worst days of reflux in the beginning were the result of poor food choices. Now with the band, five years later, the reflux has grown to be much worse. It is basically a daily event. Right now I have a complete unfill and I am taking omniprozole. Even with the omniprozole, I am still experiencing reflux...(it is so bad sometimes that my throat and ears hurt...).

I have read some posts that if the reflux is bad before the sleeve, that after the sleeve it could actually get worse. My surgeon mentioned that during my revision surgery from the lap-band to VSG that she will correct my hiatal hernia (yep, I have it once again), which will correct the reflux.

Have any of you dealt with something similar. If so, what was your experience after the revision to the Sleeve? It isn't too late for me to decide on a different procedure (like rny), my surgery is scheduled for September 17th... : 0 )

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[Sleeved&Hopeful 182]

Oh man that is a tough call. Some people get cured of reflux after sleeve. Some people suddenly have reflux after the sleeve that have never had it before. Of course the RNY is known not to have reflux issues. So that is so tough! I will admit I never had reflux before the sleeve and I have it now. It's not as bad as yours though. If I take Prilosec, it stays away. However, if I forget to take it even one day, it's back. I'm not a revision though..I had never had a weight loss surgery before. Hopefully more former bandsters will chime in :-)

[PJ_Sleeve 45]

Thank you, Sleeved & Hopeful. I will keep this in mind.

[Izuri 428]

I haven't been banded. Never had reflux per-surgery, haven't had any post-surgery so far either. My doctor does have me on Prevacid solutabs for at least a month as precaution. I've heard both ways about reflux.

[desertmom 297]

Hi

Never had reflux before the band and had it badly for years with the band.

I am on nexium for the first 6 months of the sleeve but I dont think I have it at all now at 4.5 months out.Had a bit of heartburn in the beginning when I took another ppi but the nexium sorted it out.

You alone can decide this but I love my sleeve! Its everything I thought the band would be and wasnt.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

Looking at the stats, reflux post sleeve is a common "complication". People often get it even years later.

I never had reflux until the band - and then it was horrid. I have a mild amount now, probably wouldn't have any if I gave up coffee. It doesn't give me alot of problems, keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't get worse..

[lulugirl 20]

I'm a revision & had no reflux with the band. I'm 3 weeks post op & have reflux all the time. I have been taking prilosec everyday & if I miss one day, the reflux is back.

Not sure why I have this issue now, never had it before!

[PJ_Sleeve 45]

Thank you all for you responses. The Reflux is one of my biggest concerns. I have read that the RNY does not have the reflux issue, but then there would be other issues to contend with if I go that route. I am already scheduled and approved for VSG (my insurance also covers RNY.) I am sure my surgeon would change it up upon request.

Question for LuLugirl & Desertgirl --- Did you have a hiatal hernia correction during your revision? My surgeon mentioned that a hiatal hernia correction during the time of surgery can clear up reflux issues.

[desertmom 297]

No,never had a hernia.But boy do I know about reflux.I have an online blog of the earlier years with the band and let me tell you I was petrified that it would be the same with the sleeve.

Having said that.I still do not eat anything that gave me reflux when I had the band.I know which foods to avoid and I do.Fruit is almost a no no in my life,coffee,any acid forming foods,yogurt,tomato,and loads more mind you.Tried a strawberry recently and it gave me heartburn.When I take Probiotics I get heartburn....I know how to live not to get reflux and I do.Carbs ease the stomach in small portions.When I eat only Proteins it is potential reflux and when I overeat I die and so on and so on....the 7 years before the sleeve helped a lot now.

Hope you can come to a decision and that it work great for you.

I also found that prilosec and the other PPI's didnt work for me.I drink nexium.

[sgbrown 7]

I had reflux before my sleeve, but it was controlled with Prilosec. Post-sleeve it is horrible. No lie, I take several pills a day, plus keep tums in hand at all times. I have never had a hernia just bad GERD. My friend who never had reflex prior to her sleeve has it bad post-sleeve. My dr says it may take a year to resolve and is due to delayed gastric emptying. I can no longer have tea or coffee :-(

[desertmom 297]

Sgbrown,why does the dr not change your PPI?

[PEvette 297]

NO, because I had reflux with the lapband...my doc took the Fluid out of my band, it went away....revised to sleeve and still do not have acid reflux

[shangefan 193]

I never had reflux with the band but my doc now has me on a drug for it post-sleeve. I think it is fairly likely you would experience it, but it is easily controlled.

[lvnvmom1 18]

I'm preop i read that if you eat an apple in the morning with a glass of Water it will stop acid reflux so i tried it and it works so i goggled it and its true it has some chemical in it if feel it starting i just grab a apple out of the fridge it goes away

[Lorrie Knox Malone 4]

I never had reflux with the band, but OMG do I have it now!