reflux pre-band

jadrad7 · August 23, 2003

I heard that if you have significant reflux prior to surgery, they wont band me, but they will offer the rny insteady because this surgery "cures" it. I don't want the rny.

Anyone else have reflux and still get banded, any problems after?

Kiera · August 23, 2003

jadrad7,

It really depends on the kind of problem you are having exactly and how severe it is. I used to have lots of heartburn before surgery but now that I am eating less I have NOT had ANY problems at all. Both surgeries create a pouch so I would be highly skeptical of that RNY is better for this than LapBand. If anything I would expect it to be the other way around since the band is adjustable.

I would take a good look at the doctor who is telling you this and see if they are more focused on RNY. It seems like doctors with RNY backgrounds tend to be a bit biased in their dealings with the band. Make sure you have a doctor who is commited to LapBand. If in doubt you might try inquiring with a few other doctors to see what they tell you.

Good luck!

claraluz · August 24, 2003

I have reflux and take meds for it. I will be banded this week. My surgeon says the band should cure my reflux! Not sure about that, but we'll see. But I don't think it should preculde you from getting the band.

jadrad7 · August 24, 2003

thankyou, i have my meeting with the surgeon next week and i am just afraid he will try to talk me out of the band. I wouldnt have even known about my reflux if it wasn't for my upper gi test. I have no heartburn at all. thanks for your reassurance.

quakergirl · August 25, 2003

Your results might be different, but I can tell you that I had a mild reflux problem pre-op, and it has disappeared post-op. I don't think that the reflux issue is a good justification for taking on all the other, much more serious risks of RNY. After all, reflux can be managed with medication, but the complications of the RNY can be deadly. Not a good trade-off in my opinion.

dezzyntx · August 30, 2003

At the seminar my doc offered, he stated that after being banded the reflux should disappear. Good-luck!

springirl · September 3, 2003

I am just passing on some information about what happened to me pre-band. I had fairly bad reflux and then I went on the Atkins diet before I was banded and I haven't had it since. I used to pop Zantac like candy. I have several other friends that had this same experience.

It was amazing to me to realize that my formerly high carbohydrate diet was causing my terrible reflux. When I cut out bread, Pasta, rice and potatoes and lots of sugary foods...it went away completely. After you have the band, most of these things will be more difficult to eat anyway.

If you are concerned, you might try a low carb diet before banding and see if it works for you.

Spring