Antacids, how long?

[phatphotog 61]

I had my surgery in TJ so figuring out a lot of stuff on my own. Do VSGers stay on antacids for life? Or just the first few months? TIA!

[Asdf12345 12]

My Dr. said to take them for 6 months after surgery.

[Dexter1118 27]

My doc has me on them twice a day for the first month at least.

[stacielynntate 88]

My dr has me take 1 a day for the first 3 months.

[LumpySpacePrincess 594]

I was instructed to take them daily for the first two weeks, then start skipping days after that as long as I didn't notice my GERD reoccurring. I was able to wean off them completely by about a month and a half out, and now I only need the occasional one if I eat something too spicy or acidic.

[JeanZ_RN 378]

I was taking Prilosec daily before surgery, and I've continued taking it since my sleeve was done last November (7.5 mos ago). I had a hiatal hernia repaired at the time of my sleeve surgery, so I have tried once since then to wean off the Prilosec. It didn't work - my heartburn came back within a day or two, so I resumed taking the med. I may try again some time to wean off, but it's not important to me either way.

What I'm super glad that I no longer have to take: Insulin and blood pressure meds.

[Shiner86 60]

Mine didn't have me take any. Just carafate for 5 days after surgery. I feel great and have no problems with acid in any way. I'm 1 month out.

[Kindle 8,667]

My Mexico surgeon required 2 months of 40mg Omeprazole (which he sent home with me) after that I weaned to 20mg for a couple weeks, and with no GERD symptoms he told me to discontinue. I occasionally took Rolaids or Maalox after that, but haven't taken any in at least a month. Just over 6 months out.

[newclear 7]

I was on 1/day for a minimum of 1 month, but I was provided a 2 month supply because many people would need it for 2 months or longer. I occasionally take it (I'm 4 months out in a few days) a few hours after certain food. I can feed the burning in my esophagus sometimes.

[phatphotog 61]

Thanks everyone! I never needed antacids pre surgery. So I guess I'll go to two months then start skipping days/weaning off it and see how it goes.

[HaddocksEyes 205]

My Dr. said to take them for 6 months after surgery.

Mine requires this as well because he said he wants to make the most healing environment for the stomach as he can.

[wannaBthinsoon 1,634]

@@JeanZ_RN hi! I know this is an old thread, but I've been trying to find out how prilosec is taken after surgery. I take it before as well, and my dr said he would get me an Rx for it, so it will be even cheaper for me. But how do I take it once I have the sleeve? There's no way a pill or capsule will go down, will it? Plus I won't be able to "gulp" Water to get it down. I think this concerns me more than anything else. Thanks!

[liannatx 897]

@wannaBthinsoon My Prilosec are very small, I just take with a sip of Water... no gulps required! I was okayed to take those and the pain pills the day I was released from the hospital.

[wannaBthinsoon 1,634]

@@liannatx Thank you. Mine are large capsules. But I also have seen the smaller ones. I wonder if I should pick some up before Thursday (Sleeve day) or just plan to open the capsule and shake it up in my Protein. what do you think?

[liannatx 897]

Not sure... my doc sent me home with 10 days worth, I take 2 a day. Now I just buy the generic Prilosec at Walmart.< /p>

Your surgery day is getting SO CLOSE!!!! I am excited for you. Just be prepared for those first few days to be the worst, because they really are... then it just gets easier every single day after!