Heartburn from Hell

[kcmonkmi6912 8]

Hello, I am on day 4 of my 28 day pre op diet. I am having the sleeve on July 31. I am getting horrible heartburn and gas. Is this a normal feeling? I am super excited for the surgery. My husband had surgery week before Christmas and is down over 200 lbs since this journey began. I am looking for encouragement! 
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[Navigating the Wilderness 824]

Fantastic news about your husband. Much respect for losing that amount of weight! Switching up your diet can always lead to some complications, but heartburn and gas are definitely better than weight gain. Gas-x and nexium should help those issues.

[RickM 1,753]

As noted, it can be dietary changes causing the problem and there are a number of over the counter meds that can help with them. However, the sleeve can cause reflux problems in some, so if you are having problems with it pre-op, the sleeve may not be the best procedure. If the reflux is caused by a hiatal hernia (very common in morbidly obese people,) that can be corrected when the sleeve is done and the problem never reoccurs. For others, the problem gets worse, or crops up where it never existed before, and medication is needed long term (short term use of PPIs for a few months is a normal post op protocol), or even a revision to a bypass in the more extreme cases.

This is certainly something that I would want to get evaluated before surgery, as it may influence choice of procedure.

[SleeveDreamer 383]

I had a sleeve 5 1/2 years ago. Just had a revision to RNY on the 12th. I had terrible stomach acid to the point it was taking over my body! The sleeve will not prevent acid reflux since the partnof your stomach that produces acid is still there. My doctor suggested RNY because he said that is the only way Ito finally get rid if my reflux. If you do have a lot of acid before your procedure, you may want to talk to your doctor to see if RNY would be a better option for you now, rather than maybe revision down the road. congrats to your husband for his success!

[Newme17 3,444]

My experience so far.... I had heartburn/acid reflux pre-op always due to fatty, spicy, acidic foods. Now I'm post op, off of the ppi's and haven't had a bout of it. I also don't eat those same foods anymore either. Seems to be different for everyone...some get it, some don't, regardless of having it before surgery. Many times it's triggered with certain foods or when you eat too, like right before bed.

Edited July 7, 2017 by Newme17