Reflux/ Hiatal Hernia Issues Post-Op?

[Desert Clover 1]

Hi fellow sleevers! I am pre-op and new to this forum. My doctor will be doing hiatal hernia repair when he does my sleeve surgery. He discussed that gastric by-pass might be a better option since I have reflux. He said that post op reflux it's pretty individual, and could be better, or worse with the sleeve. He also mentioned I could be converted to a by-pass later should reflux get out of control post sleeve surg. Any experiences to share?

[Dooter 1,457]

I've had pretty bad reflux for many many years. I ended up with a hiatal hernia as well that got repaired during the surgery. It was a good sized hernia that caused me a lot of trouble, and I feel it greatly increased my reflux. Since surgery in February, my reflux is WAY WAY better and I attribute a lot of it to the repaired hernia and the sharp decrease in sugar, fat and refined carbs in my diet. I do continue to take a prilosec daily, as i notice an increase in acids when I don't. I still don't know if this will be forever, or if it will get even better. I'm only 6 months out, so that's my experience so far.

[shrinkydinkme 221]

I was in the same situation and went for the sleeve. It is very possible my surgeon said that correction of the hiatal hernia that I had -will relieve the prior struggle with acid reflux. I figured I wanted this surgery to get rid of the obesity not the acid reflux and if I had acid reflux after surgery that would not have been a surgical out come but a continuing pre-existing condition I was good at living with. My acid reflux was weight induced also so I knew the weight loss would help. I had lived with acid reflux for years. For me the possible dumping and malobsobtion of bypass were more of a concern then acid reflux. I did not know going into surgery about my hiatal hernia but the doctor did correct it when he saw it. So I am hoping that I will no longer have the acid reflux now that the hernia was fixed.

[PdxMan 4,292]

My story is about the same as the two above. Terrible reflux for years. I didn't even know I had a hiatal hernia until after the surgery when my Dr mentioned he corrected it so I will have some additional uncomfortable swallowing for a few days. I think since my surgery, 13 months ago today, I have taken two Tums once and I attribute that to laying down too soon after eating. So, for me, VSG was a total cure.

But, I would rather have reflux than all of the possible issues of bypass ... no thanks.

[Desert Clover 1]

Thanks for sharing everyone. I am confident reflux will be better post op as weight goes down w/ making good food choices. Sticking with sleeve pretty excited:)