Could use a little advice

[music1618 879]

I could use some advice from everyone. I am 2.5 years post op RNY. I have an acquaintance that has posted on Facebook that he is about to have gastric sleeve. He has also posted that he has really bad acid reflux and other issues with his esophagus. I have heard that the sleeve is not recommended for patients with reflux and other issues. My question is should I say something to him, and if so what should I say. I am worried that the surgery will not work for him and he will have complications.

[LuvDaNuMe 53]

If he is a friend, chat with him about your concerns. I would asked him if he has discussed with his surgeon the serverity of his acid reflux and issues associated with the sleeve. He may not be aware of the issues.

[jessiquoi 623]

if he posted it on Facebook, there's no reason you can't talk to him about it. just make it sound like sharing information, and not offering advice, which makes some people get a bit testy.

[AvaFern 3,516]

I had acid reflux and it was caused by the hiatal hernia that they fixed during my sleeve surgery. There's no reason you can't talk to him about your concerns, but maybe his issues are like mine, something that can be fixed at the same time as the sleeve, and he has already covered it all with his doctor. I haven't had a single acid reflux incident since surgery.

[auntiemel 275]

I had gerd/reflux and was told by a previous doctor that I didn't have a hiatal hernia, but what do you know, the surgeon found one and repaired it, no more gerd for me. I chose the sleeve even if there was a possibility that I'd still have it, I was thinking that life with tums or PPIs was better than being morbidly obese for the rest of my life.

[BitterSweet* 835]

Why do you think your friend is going to enter into a decision like this without doing a great deal of research? One of the very first things you come across is information about the sleeve and reflux. Are you concerned that he's chosen a bariatric team that is sub par? Surely this reflux issue will be addressed by several different people (the surgeon, nutritionist, seminars, support groups?)

[JamieLogical 8,710]

I would assume he's already discussed his reflux with his doctor and, like others have said, maybe he's having a hiatal hernia repair at the same time. But I don't see any reason NOT to talk to him if he's a friend. Just make sure you approach it in such a way that you don't come off as though you think he's made a bad decision.

[maxcimax 220]

I had a little bit of acid reflux but then found out I had a hiatal hernia. It was fixed when the sleeve surgery was done. No more acid issues - yay, I hope your friend gets good advice. My niece had a RNY about 3 years ago & when I told her what I was doing she came back with a bunch of stupid stuff about the sleeve surgery. I don't know where she got this info from but it wasn't true. I just ignored her. Glad I had the surgery.

[CowgirlJane 14,260]

I had lapband caused reflux... and knew this risk going into this the sleeve. Reflux is a major risk factor for the sleeve, so i would absolutely talk to him about it. I am 3 years out... and no reflux (after my first few weeks which was controlled well by PPI), for me getting rid of the lapband was the cure. It is very much an individual situation, but he should know! Also, I think best practice is to take a good PPI in the early weeks/months post surgery to give the tummy a chance to "quiet down". I am astounded by the number of people who are suffering from reflux in those early reflux due to poor education by their surgeons.

[JamieLogical 8,710]

Also, I think best practice is to take a good PPI in the early weeks/months post surgery to give the tummy a chance to "quiet down". I am astounded by the number of people who are suffering from reflux in those early reflux due to poor education by their surgeons.

My surgeon has me on a PPI for a full two months post-op, so I haven't had any reflux issues and I'm hopeful I won't have any after I go off the meds in another month.