Burning Reflux - Horrible

[Holly McQuillan 6]

Hey everyone,

I'm about 4 1/2 months post surgery. I never had trouble with acid reflux/heartburn BEFORE surgery, but since the surgery, it has been REALLY bad. It always happens in the middle of the night when I'm sound asleep, I jolt out of bed with a sour burning taste in my throat and then I usually gag/spit up some yellow acid (like the xenomorph in Alien) and it just feels unbearable for about 15 minutes or so and then goes away. At first it happened about once a week, but now I'd say it's more like 2-3 times a week. They put me on 40 mg of prevacid or one of those pills right after surgery and I took it for the first month, but then I stopped because the reflux didn't seem too bad and I was worried about the side effects. So of course it came back and that's when it's been getting worse. I just got my rx refilled and yesterday was the first day of starting back on medication, but last night I still woke up with the reflux from hell.

I have mentioned this to my doctor, and he basically said "drink more, eat less, get back on the prescription". But I'm worried about this acid either causing esophogeal cancer or literally burning a hole through my esophagus. Maybe that sounds silly, but that's what it feels like and I've already had Breast Cancer, so I am worried about being susceptible to other forms of cancer.

Anyone have experience with this and advice or anything that stopped it completely? The assistant in the Doctor's office said that the hernial repair they did during the surgery usually helps with GERD/Reflux, but I told her I never had issues with it prior to the surgery and she sounded surprised.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

Well you should have never stopped taking your medicine. It is going to take a week or more for it to get better if it is as bad as you say.

Taking PPI for 6 to 9 months post-op isn't going to harm you, when they are talking long term they are talking about 7 years plus, not a few months. The biggest issue with taking them is low Iron, but since most people post WLS are supplementing Vitamins and minerals it shouldn't be that much of an issue.

It really isn't worth risking your esophagus to avoid taking a pill for just a few months.

I never had GERD before surgery. The only times I have ever had it post-op, after the 6 month mark I did it to myself by not weighing my food (eating out) and over eating. If I don't over eat I don't have GERD.

[Christina.Rose 287]

Hey everyone,
I'm about 4 1/2 months post surgery. I never had trouble with acid reflux/heartburn BEFORE surgery, but since the surgery, it has been REALLY bad. It always happens in the middle of the night when I'm sound asleep, I jolt out of bed with a sour burning taste in my throat and then I usually gag/spit up some yellow acid (like the xenomorph in Alien) and it just feels unbearable for about 15 minutes or so and then goes away. At first it happened about once a week, but now I'd say it's more like 2-3 times a week. They put me on 40 mg of prevacid or one of those pills right after surgery and I took it for the first month, but then I stopped because the reflux didn't seem too bad and I was worried about the side effects. So of course it came back and that's when it's been getting worse. I just got my rx refilled and yesterday was the first day of starting back on medication, but last night I still woke up with the reflux from hell.
I have mentioned this to my doctor, and he basically said "drink more, eat less, get back on the prescription". But I'm worried about this acid either causing esophogeal cancer or literally burning a hole through my esophagus. Maybe that sounds silly, but that's what it feels like and I've already had Breast Cancer, so I am worried about being susceptible to other forms of cancer.
Anyone have experience with this and advice or anything that stopped it completely? The assistant in the Doctor's office said that the hernial repair they did during the surgery usually helps with GERD/Reflux, but I told her I never had issues with it prior to the surgery and she sounded surprised.
Thanks for any suggestions.

Sorry about your discomfort and concerns, but I just wanted to say that pic is PERFECT for reflux! Hilarious

Sent from my SM-J327P using BariatricPal mobile app

[arringtonc49 188]

I was given pills to take for 3 months following surgery.
I take my last pill in 2 days from third refill. I have not had any problems so far. I have been taking my pills faithfully.

Sent from my D6708 using BariatricPal mobile app

[Sandee29 113]

Prior to surgery I had severe reflux, I stopped taking my pills also very soon after surgery. Once in awhile I get reflux and pop a pill and then I'm fine. Don't eat for 2 hrs before bedtime - that helps.
Good luck!

[Please 188]

On 2017-06-06 at 2:24 PM, Holly McQuillan said:

Hey everyone,

I'm about 4 1/2 months post surgery. I never had trouble with acid reflux/heartburn BEFORE surgery, but since the surgery, it has been REALLY bad. It always happens in the middle of the night when I'm sound asleep, I jolt out of bed with a sour burning taste in my throat and then I usually gag/spit up some yellow acid (like the xenomorph in Alien) and it just feels unbearable for about 15 minutes or so and then goes away. At first it happened about once a week, but now I'd say it's more like 2-3 times a week. They put me on 40 mg of prevacid or one of those pills right after surgery and I took it for the first month, but then I stopped because the reflux didn't seem too bad and I was worried about the side effects. So of course it came back and that's when it's been getting worse. I just got my rx refilled and yesterday was the first day of starting back on medication, but last night I still woke up with the reflux from hell.

I have mentioned this to my doctor, and he basically said "drink more, eat less, get back on the prescription". But I'm worried about this acid either causing esophogeal cancer or literally burning a hole through my esophagus. Maybe that sounds silly, but that's what it feels like and I've already had Breast Cancer, so I am worried about being susceptible to other forms of cancer.

Anyone have experience with this and advice or anything that stopped it completely? The assistant in the Doctor's office said that the hernial repair they did during the surgery usually helps with GERD/Reflux, but I told her I never had issues with it prior to the surgery and she sounded surprised.

Thanks for any suggestions.

This is one of the biggest side effects with getting the sleeve. What time do you take your pill? Maybe take it at night , besides switching your meds until you find something that works for you, your likely stuck with it. If you eat the heavy triggers like, coffee, alcohol , or certain spices, you can try not consuming. To see if it helps , Or try omitting certain foods that you normally eat. Peanut Butter gives my husband heartburn and bananas for me. My doctor said to stay on an acid reducer/stomach protector for 6 months minimum post. I don't have it bad, just slight.

[Holly McQuillan 6]

On 6/7/2017 at 1:49 PM, Christina.Rose said:

Sorry about your discomfort and concerns, but I just wanted to say that pic is PERFECT for reflux! Hilarious

Sent from my SM-J327P using BariatricPal mobile app

Ha ha...thanks for appreciating my humor!

[bubbz333 49]

I was told by my surgeon to stop taking the antacid meds at 1 month then 2 weeks later I had awful acid reflux like you described so he put me back on the medicine and it's a lot better now but not completely gone.

One thing to note is the position you are sleeping in. I noticed that the reflux is a million times worse if I'm not sitting up when I sleep. I have accepted the fact that I may never sleep laying flat again and I even went out and purchased one of those adjustable beds so I didn't have to sleep on the couch anymore. So if you're sleeping flat then try propping yourself up at night with some pillows and that will most likely help.

[erica_ozzy73 241]

Hey everyone,
I'm about 4 1/2 months post surgery. I never had trouble with acid reflux/heartburn BEFORE surgery, but since the surgery, it has been REALLY bad. It always happens in the middle of the night when I'm sound asleep, I jolt out of bed with a sour burning taste in my throat and then I usually gag/spit up some yellow acid (like the xenomorph in Alien) and it just feels unbearable for about 15 minutes or so and then goes away. At first it happened about once a week, but now I'd say it's more like 2-3 times a week. They put me on 40 mg of prevacid or one of those pills right after surgery and I took it for the first month, but then I stopped because the reflux didn't seem too bad and I was worried about the side effects. So of course it came back and that's when it's been getting worse. I just got my rx refilled and yesterday was the first day of starting back on medication, but last night I still woke up with the reflux from hell.
I have mentioned this to my doctor, and he basically said "drink more, eat less, get back on the prescription". But I'm worried about this acid either causing esophogeal cancer or literally burning a hole through my esophagus. Maybe that sounds silly, but that's what it feels like and I've already had Breast Cancer, so I am worried about being susceptible to other forms of cancer.
Anyone have experience with this and advice or anything that stopped it completely? The assistant in the Doctor's office said that the hernial repair they did during the surgery usually helps with GERD/Reflux, but I told her I never had issues with it prior to the surgery and she sounded surprised.
Thanks for any suggestions.

Sounds like me..
I never ever had reflux prior to surgery and also had a hernia repair to which I had no idea I needed until they told me post surgery lol..
I'm 6 mths post op and I have no signs of it going away[emoji19]..
I have to take my meds in the morning or else by mid day or in the arvo I can feel the burn. When I have forgotten and haven't had reflux symptoms to remind me to take it ill occasionally wake up and be choking on my vomit or acids.. it's scared the bjezuz out of me. It's bloody horrible
I have no food specifically that I can put it down to that causes it.
Went and saw my dr for my months post op blood test results etc and it seems that few of us will get it without having any prior issues..
great huh [emoji45]

[AmandaWho 158]

I can relate to the photo you posted. Right after surgery I wanted to throw up all the time just bc of the heartburn! My dr told me to do over the counter nexium but if it continues passed a month they would give an RX. THANKFULLY it's gone away. Call and ask the dr for omeprazole.