Dealing with reflux...tips?

[ctsleeve 20]

Hi there -

Like many sleevers, I have reflux.

I've taken a PPI every day since surgery (Prevacid 30 mg solutab) and the last week or so it's not getting the job done. By late afternoon I have a horrid taste in my mouth and a sore, sore throat.

My doctor suggested taking the Prevacid midday on an empty stomach rather than in the morning. I did that today, no change. She also suggested cutting out dairy for a week to see if that helps, which I'm now doing.

Any other tips? This is not so fun.

[ReDbEaN 654]

My doc has me on Protonix but is switching me to Nexium cuz it's not working...good luck

[chefcoll 53]

Did you all have reflux before?

[ribearty 544]

I have reflux now from my lap band. I am hoping it goes away post-sleeve surgery. I started off on Protonix and then the generic for that. I have been on Dexalant for over a year now. It worked very well for me until April of this year, My doctor had me double the dose for about 2 weeks and now I am back to one tablet a day at the 60 mg dose. They also have a prescription saver's card on their web site which gets me the prescription for $20 a month.

I talked to my surgeon and he said if I wanted to stay on it that was fine. He normally starts patients on omeprazole. He said he keeps his patients on a ppi for 6 months post surgery.

I have a friend who is almost 2 years post op and had reflux prior to surgery and said he will be on a ppi for the rest of his life.

He said about 5% of sleeve patients have permanent heart burn. I asked him also if I had a higher propensity to have it with the sleeve since I already have it, and he told me no. Mine is due to my lapband and the prolapse.

I hope you find some relief for your heartburn. It can be very miserable at times. I also have propped up the top portion of my mattress to help with elevation.

[ctsleeve 20]

I did have reflux a bit before, probably caused by my band. It was easily controlled with a PPI. Prior to that, the only time I had reflux was when I was pregnant.

Has anyone had any improvement by cutting dairy from their diet? My doctor wants me to try this, and I will, but I get a lot of Protein from dairy so it's a bit of a pain to switch it up.

[chefcoll 53]

Thank you!

[HalloweenBaby 11]

I'm having a lot of reflux also and my surgery is next week. I have noticed since not eating any dairy for the past 24 hrs my reflux isn't as bad. I think I'm lactose intolerant because tmi I normally have a lot of gas if I eat dairy. So try it without dairy !

[ReDbEaN 654]

I had a lil reflux pre surgery...but post surgery it's been bad...the nexium has helped tremendously!! WAAAY better than Protonix for me

[ctsleeve 20]

Thanks so much for the tips. I'm seeing my surgeon in a week or two, I'll ask her about it then.

[Chelenka 827]

I had reflux pre-surgery but it got worse post surgery for the first 3 or 4 months. I was on nexium twice a day but I also started drinking a Tsp of organic apple cider in my first glass of Water in the morning. It is an old-fashioned remedy but it has helped. I now take the nexium only at night.

pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274