GERD and Sleeve

[dallasreno 8]

Hi,

I am wondering about what happens with my GERD after I am sleeved. Right now it is under control with medication. I have read that some people end up getting a revision to a gastric bypass because there acid reflux gets worse after they are sleeved. I don't want to end up getting a revision and am wondering how prevalent this problem is. Should I just go with a gastic bypass so I don't have to worry about getting a revision?

TIA.

Dallas

[PdxMan 4,292]

You are going to have to weigh the risks of each. There are many, many threads on here asking others these questions, but surely you have to know there is nobody on here who can answer that question. Do your research and understand the risks. Then, it is up to you to determine what your risk tolerance is and then proceed from there.

There are those who have issues with GERD increasing after sleeve. LilMissDiva and Susan are researching getting a revision right now. Those are the only two here I can think of, but there may be others. You can search for these two members using the site's search functionality and send them a PM. They are both very open to sharing their WLS experience.

But I know far, far more people who, like myself, suffered GERD issues and have had their problems resolved with the sleeve. I just responded to a post earlier (search my content) saying I had to have Tums all over (work, bedside, kitchen, car) and was a prilosec fiend. I have taken two Tums once since my surgery.

I have heard of people having leaks with the sleeve ... malabsorption with RnY ... strictures with the sleeve ... bowel obstruction with Rny ...

There are risks ... but do your research and determine which risks are realistic for you.

Good luck and keep researching and asking questions.

Edited April 9, 2014 by PdxMan

[DaddyMarie 291]

Hey PDXMan,

I have not had surgery yet, May 7th. I am going to have a hernia repair with my surgery and I was told that my reflux was due to my hernia. In your opinion; do you think my reflux will get better because of the hernia repair?

[PdxMan 4,292]

I can only speak to my own experience. I do believe my reflux was due to my hernia, after I researched what it was exactly. It made sense. Having a little pocket of esophagus/stomach sitting above my diaphragm seems to be a ripe place for having acid sit and cause me the grief it did. Having the hernia repaired and not having the stomach above the diaphragm would allow everything to flow down into the stomach, which is happening for me now. I think in my case, that was the issue and cure for my reflux.

Also know that there was some tightness in my chest for about three weeks post which I am also told is due to the repair. Again, makes sense. The surgeon, as he explained it to me, yanked (actually used that word) my stomach down and then tightly sewed the diaphragm around the esophagus. Perhaps that my also aid in why I have had the relief I have experienced with reflux post-sleeve.

Good luck with your procedure.

[DaddyMarie 291]

Thank you that help! I am a research based person and have to know the workings and inter workings of everything so based on my own research I determined that my reflux would probably get better.

Thanks again!