Sleeve or gastric for heartburn

[cosmogirl2535 1]

So i had a few more hoops trying to get approval for surgery. Now im having hard time deciding sleeve or gastric due to having heartburn. I went to seminar last night and said sleeve doesnt cure heartburn. I really really want to get sleeve instead of bypass. What are some thoughts if you have heartburn and been sleeved?

[JamieLogical 8,708]

I had fairly consistent obesity induced heartburn when I was at my heaviest weights. I knew from past experiences with diet and weightloss that my heartburn went away when I was lighter. So I was hoping that would be the case for me post-sleeve. However, I have experienced heartburn and reflux even though I'm now at a weight where, in the past, it would have gone away. My surgeon had me on a prescription of 40mg of Prilosec for two months post-op. I was then supposed to stop taking it, but as soon as I did, I had serious heartburn and reflux problems. Now I am on the over-the-counter dosage of 20mg and that seems to do a good job of keeping the reflux at bay. I have a feeling that this will be a life-long thing for me now, but honestly, it seems like a small price to pay. I've already committed to a lifetime of Vitamins and supplements with this surgery, so what's one more pill to take daily?

[Stevehud 1,790]

i had really bad reflux thanks to being overweight and a past sleep apnea surgery that opens your throat and a hiatal hernia. etc. Mine was so bad i wound up with aspiration pneumonia more than a dozen times. which is one step from choking to death while you sleep. Since my surgery and weight loss i have not had one hint of reflux. I was able to stop the ranitidine 4 days post op and havent needed even a tums since. It has been wonderful.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

Most surgeons will recommend gastric bypass for heartburn/reflux unless the heartburn is caused by a hiatal hernia, which can be repaired during your sleeve surgery. Bypass will often cure reflux, but sleeve can make it worse or even induce it in people who never had it before. So the first steps would be discussing it directly with your surgeon and possibly getting a diagnosis as to what is causing your reflux -- typically you get an upper GI imaging series or EGD scope well before any surgery that can see what is going on there.

My reflux was caused by a hernia, which was repaired during my sleeve surgery. Since then, my reflux has been almost non-existent. That said, if it had been caused by something other than a hernia, I would have gone for gastric bypass. Bypass is a great surgery with awesome results, and I know many healthy, happy people who have had it and are doing fantastic.

[cosmogirl2535 1]

@@JamieLogical those were my thoughts. Hoping and thinking heartburn will be relieved with weight loss. Im at my heaviest weight and never had it before. So i was thinking of staying away from foods that i get it from and switching dinner for Protein Drink to see if that helps.

[cosmogirl2535 1]

@@Stevehud yes i think being overweight has alot to do with it. I did test for sleep apnea and showed i had some activity but never went back for machine. That is good to hear it hasn't been a problem for you now.

[cosmogirl2535 1]

@@Bufflehead ya im scared if it will make it worst with sleeve but even more scared to do gastric. I hope i can get some answers what my heartburn is caused from. I heard hiatal hernia could be cured with weight loss alone? I know the bypass surgery is successful but scares me rerouting digestive system. Eekkk

[Jordan861 124]

I had constant heartburn and reflux prior to surgery even with the medications. After surgery - no meds and no heartburn. One exception - I ate two bites off a all beef Hebrew National Hot dog - needless to say that is the one and last hotdog... I had sleeve and I have no more heart burn

[cosmogirl2535 1]

@@Jordan861 i get it from certain foods--tomato foods/drinks. I mostly get it at night before going asleep. Usually tums and pepto bismo help relieve it. Good to know no more heartburn with sleeve for you:)

[Bufflehead 6,358]

@@cosmogirl2535 well you definitely want to have a heart to heart with your surgeon and figure out what is going on with your reflux before making any decision. And if bypass is an option for you, go to a couple of support groups where you can meet people who have actually had the surgery and they can tell you themselves how they are doing and how it has affected them. Don't just rule it out because of an emotion about your intestines, which you will never even see! You want to come to your decision based on information and consideration and advice from people like your surgeon, not based on fear. So keep an open mind and keep learning! You will do great.