Veterans! Need your insight!

[Toni142 6]

My surgery date is Nov. 8th. Need to know is GERD a part of life after the surgery? Do you have to take meds for the rest of your life? Does it go away? Someone recently told me there is an increase risk for esophageal cancer with the Sleeve.. Need some input please!!

[Who Dat 70461 331]

I'm almost 6 months post-op and my wife is 4 months...never had an issue with GERD. We both take Prilosec daily, as well as a few supplements, but I've missed a day here and there, with no adverse effects.

Have not heard about increased risk for esophageal cancer ...too busy enjoying our new lives to worry about it!

Good luck!

[vickie4/2012 1]

I had a hietal (?) hernia that was repaired. Quite frankly, the change in your diet should resolve the GERD for you. I think medicine is recommended for one year post surgery to reduce any acid issues however. I haven't had any problems since my surgery in April 2012.

[Toni142 6]

That's great, wish you both well. Can I ask why you are you taking the Prilosec?

[endless80 697]

I had GERD before the surgery and it was pretty bad after the surgery. After 4-5 weeks I started taking Prilosec and a probiotic and it is no longer an issue.

[Who Dat 70461 331]

Doc recommended taking it for the first 12 months.

[Mkak 251]

I had GERD before the surgery and it was pretty bad after the surgery. After 4-5 weeks I started taking Prilosec and a probiotic and it is no longer an issue.

Hey endless, do Probiotics help with reflux/GERD? I'm on a PPI now, but still get some slight issues here and there. I'll pop a probiotic for sure if it will help

[Toni142 6]

Thanks .... I just don't want to correct one problem and get a new one in return! Was so fine until a friend mentioned the increased risk ..

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

Well statistics show increase in reflux like problems post sleeve. I read a study that showed that 3 years post op they see an "uptick" in the frequency of GERD/reflux type issues. I hope i don't have that happen, but it is a known risk all sleevers should know about.

My personal experience is I never had reflux EVER before I had the lapband placed in 2001. Then I met acid reflux first hand... awful awful awful, had to have all the Fluid taken out of the band and still had problems until that lapband was removed. Revised to the sleeve in 2011, was on a ppi for awhile (don't remember but thinking 2 months or so post op), but basically don't have problems and do not take medication currently. so far, i have been fortunate and have not suffered with reflux since sleeve surgery. The only incidents i have had were when I ate way too much. Do not overfill or stuff your sleeved tummy!

I did go through a weird time of swallowing. Not problems eating, but more like saliva swallowing was weird feeling for awhile. odd, but it seems behind me now.

Edited November 4, 2013 by CowgirlJane

[chefcoll 53]

I have Asymptomatic reflux - meaning it shows up on GI and endosc but i have no symptoms! Met with the surgeon last Wednesday and she is reluctant to do the sleeve b/c of this. I cannot have gastric b/c of Crohn's disease. The surgeon wanted to talk to my GI specialist and i go back this Wednesday for a "final answer"!

[Toni142 6]

Chefcoll, good news on Wed..

[cindymg 629]

I have Asymptomatic reflux - meaning it shows up on GI and endosc but i have no symptoms! Met with the surgeon last Wednesday and she is reluctant to do the sleeve b/c of this. I cannot have gastric b/c of Crohn's disease. The surgeon wanted to talk to my GI specialist and i go back this Wednesday for a "final answer"!

Gastroenterologist told me the same thing once. Sometimes if I eat late then go to bed, I sound hoarse the next day. Had my sleeve surgery 5.5 months ago. No GERD, no complications, no nausea/vomiting. Down 56 lbs. Best decision I ever made.

If one surgeon has a problem doing sleeve surgery, find another.

[lsereno 2,525]

I'm closing in on three years. I took a PPI for the first six months and has to go back to taking it a few months ago. No issues with the PPI.

Lynda