Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hi everyone. Today my doctor called me with the results from my upper GI test and reported my GERD is severe. He told me the sleeve may make my GERD worse and talked with me about possibly getting the bypass instead or taking the risk and going forward with the sleeve.

Any thoughts or experiences would be helpful.

Thank you

Sent from my Lenovo YT3-X90F using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had GERD prior to surgery. Literally, heartburn all the time. When I did my endoscopy, they told me I had ulcers and a hiatal hernia. I had it repaired during surgery and even though I'm only 3 weeks post op....I have not had ANY heart burn or nausea (from the heartburn and stuff) like I did prior to surgery. So it may affect people differently...all I know is...I feel like i'm cured of GERD. lol

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

18 hours ago, DK said:

doctor reported my GERD is severe.

@DK
common phrase said here in WLS land.....

"we're all different"

many OP are aware that having

heartburn already, the sleeve is NOT the

best option. if you already have Gerd

there is a strong chance you will develop it.

@sleevedshereen said "feel like i'm cured of GERD"

that's great, but not everyone gets that relief.

@DK -talk with your surgeon again about the

heartburn/your concerns. good luck with your

important "life changing" decision.

kathy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I would seriously listen to your surgeon and consider switching to the bypass. Your surgeon sees tons of patients that he/she operates on, and continues to see these same patients for a lifetime (10+ years). So they have seen it all before, if they say you are likely to have issues from their experience, it is wise to listen to them.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm in the same boat as you OP, and after discussing with my surgeon we came up with a reasonable plan. My GERD is severe, as in heartburn all the time while on medication and occasional regurgitating. I'm going to have my preoperative endoscopy like all his patients do. If they see a large hiatal hernia (3 cm +) then it would be a reasonable assumption that having a sleeve with a Hiatal hernia repair would likely improve my reflux from repairing the large defect coupled with weight loss.

If my preoperative Hiatal hernia is small or non existent however, I will likely go the conservative route and stick with a bypass. Truthfully I don't think it's that big of a deal getting the bypass anyway as dumping syndrome is a mostly good thing. But I'll let the endoscopy be my ultimate determinate

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, Mhy12784 said:

Truthfully I don't think it's that big of a deal getting the bypass anyway as dumping syndrome is a mostly good thing.

Ummm, no. Ask people with severe dumping syndrome - they wouldn't say it's a good thing to have.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, summerset said:

Ummm, no. Ask people with severe dumping syndrome - they wouldn't say it's a good thing to have.

Severe anything Is bad. But dumping syndrome helps reinforce diet changes

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Severe anything is bad, that's right. Unfortunately patients are not asked "Do you want mild or severe dumpings or no dumpings at all? Do you want to dump on dairy as well?" ;)

As for mild dumping syndromes: by far not every gastric bypass patient gets it so I wouldn't rely on it to reinforce dietary changes.

Edited by summerset

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just starting this process myself (surgeon visit in October). I have GERD which is quite well controlled with rabeprazole with limited break through episodes which are typically triggered by specific food or drink/late eating/weight gain. I don' know about hiatal hernia, except that at my last endo in 2010 I did not have one. I formerly had an esophageal ulcer which has healed. I'd prefer to do the sleeve but will, of course, consult with my surgeon and ultimately go with what he suggests.

Has anyone with well controlled GERD noticed an increase in symptoms after VSG? Decrease? I've read a lot from people with GERD who, it seems, did not have it well controlled prior to surgery. Just wondering if that might make a difference. (I know we are all different. Anecdotes are helpful at this point in my research.)

Thanks all!

(First post!)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

23 minutes ago, Subaru said:

Just starting this process myself (surgeon visit in October). I have GERD which is quite well controlled with rabeprazole with limited break through episodes which are typically triggered by specific food or drink/late eating/weight gain. I don' know about hiatal hernia, except that at my last endo in 2010 I did not have one. I formerly had an esophageal ulcer which has healed. I'd prefer to do the sleeve but will, of course, consult with my surgeon and ultimately go with what he suggests.

Has anyone with well controlled GERD noticed an increase in symptoms after VSG? Decrease? I've read a lot from people with GERD who, it seems, did not have it well controlled prior to surgery. Just wondering if that might make a difference. (I know we are all different. Anecdotes are helpful at this point in my research.)

Thanks all!

(First post!)

Just my two cents because I'm in the same boat. Statistically Gerd will get worse with a sleeve, obviously it's no sure thing but the numbers don't lie.

If you had an esophageal ulcer I think its more likely they recommend bypass. I've had endoscopy in the past by regular GI guys and never had a Hiatal hernia. Had one by my future bariatric surgeon and he found a 3 cm paraesophagael. He says GI guys usually miss them because they don't fix them so they don't know what to look for.

Regardless I ultimately decided to get a bypass because I don't want to worry about reflux the rest of my life. It's more complicated and riskier than the sleeve but it does offer better weight loss and will cure my GERD. I'm certainly a little scared because I've seen first hand what happens when there's complications but I know it's the best thing for my health

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Mhy12784 said:

Just my two cents because I'm in the same boat. Statistically Gerd will get worse with a sleeve, obviously it's no sure thing but the numbers don't lie.

If you had an esophageal ulcer I think its more likely they recommend bypass. I've had endoscopy in the past by regular GI guys and never had a Hiatal hernia. Had one by my future bariatric surgeon and he found a 3 cm paraesophagael. He says GI guys usually miss them because they don't fix them so they don't know what to look for.

Regardless I ultimately decided to get a bypass because I don't want to worry about reflux the rest of my life. It's more complicated and riskier than the sleeve but it does offer better weight loss and will cure my GERD. I'm certainly a little scared because I've seen first hand what happens when there's complications but I know it's the best thing for my health

Thanks for that feedback, especially your surgeon's feedback on hiatal hernias and GI guys. Very helpful!

Is your GERD well managed now, and on what medication if you don't mind sharing?

Thanks again!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My GERD is not well managed, I take 20mg of Omeprazole daily, and still have frequent problems as well as a cough from GERD. I've had my medications increased many times and got nasty GI problems from the dosage, which is why I'm chronically under medicated. It makes a lot of sense for me to just do the bypass

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That makes perfect sense. It may well be the direction I end up going as I continue to research. The challenge for me is all this time before even meeting the dr means I just keep researching and thinking.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

    • Sandra Austin Tx

      I’m 6 days post op as of today. I had the gastric bypass 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×