GERD

[tfarr 270]

This has happened quite a few times since surgery ( 11/14) having heart burn so bad I vomit, or come close too. I never had any issues with heart burn prior to surgery. My gall bladder was removed 1 yr post op. It’s actually happening more often since.

I was taking carafate and Prilosec for a while. I really just wanted an Endo but they wanted to try this method first and I was afraid to ask for one. I’m going for a 3 year f/u ( that I’ve put out off since December) maybe I will ask then. Because last night was by far the worst that is gS ever been at night. Unusually it’s during the day when I’m not laying down.

End result of a lot of heartburn P/O sleeve?

Any help would be appreciated ️

[James Marusek 5,244]

Some people develop problems with severe acid reflux (GERD) after surgery. This occurs even if they did not have problems with severe acid reflux prior to surgery.

There were several people on this site that had revisions from sleeve to RNY gastric bypass because of this issue. One thing to rule out is a helicobacter pylori infection. This is a common infection which for the most part is hidden. About 2/3s of the world population have it and if you have it, it can give you the symptoms of severe acid reflux.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

Well, you probably don't want to hear what i have to say. I had very bad heartburn when I had the lapband. When I revised to sleeve in 2011 I had an endoscopy they said my pouch was dialated but no serious issues other than that. Since being sleeved I have had occasional heartburn - but NOTHING compared to the 10 years of the lapband. I was controlling the heartburn very well with meds, and at other times didn't need meds at all and so didn't think too much of it until a few months ago. Suddenly, a bit of heartburn started feeling like a terrible pain in my stomach - like this isn't just a little irritation anymore. I had an endoscopy - and it turns out that now I have Barretts esphogatristis. The biopsy showed no cancer, but after I finish my current round of PPI, I will need some other kind of treatment. Surgery has been mentioned. Revision to RNY has been mentioned. I will know more in a few days....

As you can imagine, I am not too thrilled with the prospects.

Bottom line, talk to the doctor, maybe keep a log of symptoms leading up to your appointment and they may decide you should be scoped.

[tfarr 270]

Well, you probably don't want to hear what i have to say. I had very bad heartburn when I had the lapband. When I revised to sleeve in 2011 I had an endoscopy they said my pouch was dialated but no serious issues other than that. Since being sleeved I have had occasional heartburn - but NOTHING compared to the 10 years of the lapband. I was controlling the heartburn very well with meds, and at other times didn't need meds at all and so didn't think too much of it until a few months ago. Suddenly, a bit of heartburn started feeling like a terrible pain in my stomach - like this isn't just a little irritation anymore. I had an endoscopy - and it turns out that now I have Barretts esphogatristis. The biopsy showed no cancer, but after I finish my current round of PPI, I will need some other kind of treatment. Surgery has been mentioned. Revision to RNY has been mentioned. I will know more in a few days....

As you can imagine, I am not too thrilled with the prospects.

Bottom line, talk to the doctor, maybe keep a log of symptoms leading up to your appointment and they may decide you should be scoped.

I have worried about Barrett’s esophagus. They have been aware of my heartburn since 18 p/o. I’m 3 years out. I’m gonna ask for one. I’ve tried all the meds, I want to know. As you know it burns like hell

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

@tfarr

I took Prilosec for a while, it did nothing.

I have been taking 40mg of Nexium (well the generic) every morning and my GERD has greatly improved and is almost gone mostly.

My GERD issues are caused by how I eat, if I push my food limits, I get GERD. Then it takes me months to correct it. I just have to be careful with how I eat, period. Mostly I get GERD if I am eating out a lot and not measuring my food. Pushing my sleeve limits for days on end causes GERD for me. I also was on a really high dose of Iron for my anemia and that literally ripped my stomach to shreds. They switched my iron and my stomach is healing with the help of the Nexium.

I also want to add, I am having gallbladder issues so it all related. I am really trying to avoid another surgery, I just flat out don't have time for it. I have been taking supplements the past couple months after a gallbladder attack and my gallblader issues have greatly improved.

And this all started because I gave up meat for a while last year which was the worst decision I have ever made in my life, it caused so many problems for me, I'll never do it again.

Edited January 24, 2018 by OutsideMatchInside

[Torriluv87 300]

[mention=210199]tfarr[/mention]
I took Prilosec for a while, it did nothing.
I have been taking 40mg of Nexium (well the generic) every morning and my GERD has greatly improved and is almost gone mostly.
My GERD issues are caused by how I eat, if I push my food limits, I get GERD. Then it takes me months to correct it. I just have to be careful with how I eat, period. Mostly I get GERD if I am eating out a lot and not measuring my food. Pushing my sleeve limits for days on end causes GERD for me. I also was on a really high dose of Iron for my anemia and that literally ripped my stomach to shreds. They switched my Iron and my stomach is healing with the help of the Nexium.
I also want to add, I am having gallbladder issues so it all related. I am really trying to avoid another surgery, I just flat out don't have time for it. I have been taking supplements the past couple months after a gallbladder attack and my gallblader issues have greatly improved.
And this all started because I gave up meat for a while last year which was the worst decision I have ever made in my life, it caused so many problems for me, I'll never do it again.

How did eliminating meat make things worse? I've never heard of that. I'm always going back and forth with if i should eat meat or not but never thought it'd make heartburn worse by getting rid of it. What happened if you don't mind me asking. I'm genuinely curious.

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[Oregondaisy 2,021]

it's pretty common for people with the sleeve to have to be on a PPI indefinitely. It's a double-edged sword. The PPI blocks acid, but acid is necessary to absorb Iron and Calcium. I have taken calcium citrate since the day of my surgery.

I have recently been diagnosed with Osteoporosis.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

23 hours ago, Torriluv87 said:

How did eliminating meat make things worse? I've never heard of that. I'm always going back and forth with if i should eat meat or not but never thought it'd make heartburn worse by getting rid of it. What happened if you don't mind me asking. I'm genuinely curious.

Sent from my SM-G925T using BariatricPal mobile app

It created a domino effect of issues. Even though I was taking Vitamins and supplementing with Iron, removing meat from my diet made my anemia completely out of control and I only did it for about 6 weeks. My Dr put me on 650 mg of iron a day to correct my anemia, but the iron completely tore my stomach up. From the moment I would take a pill I could feel it literally burning in my stomach. The burning and heartburn the iron pills caused, caused me to eat more, which made the heartburn worse.

I have been anemic since I started puberty so it isn't WLS related at all. I was taking 65mg 2x a day since surgery and that wasn't enough once I gave up meat.

[Torriluv87 300]

It created a domino effect of issues. Even though I was taking Vitamins and supplementing with Iron, removing meat from my diet made my anemia completely out of control and I only did it for about 6 weeks. My Dr put me on 650 mg of Iron a day to correct my anemia, but the iron completely tore my stomach up. From the moment I would take a pill I could feel it literally burning in my stomach. The burning and heartburn the iron pills caused, caused me to eat more, which made the heartburn worse.
I have been anemic since I started puberty so it isn't WLS related at all. I was taking 65mg 2x a day since surgery and that wasn't enough once I gave up meat.

Wow. That's crazy. Thanks for the explanation. I know if I'm not following my plan I'm usually more prone to heartburn. I didn't even consider iron pills giving me a problem. I've been anemic for a bit but have been scared of iron pills since my bathroom habits aren't as consistent as they used to be if you know what i mean. That makes me think. Thanks for that.

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[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

1 hour ago, Torriluv87 said:

Wow. That's crazy. Thanks for the explanation. I know if I'm not following my plan I'm usually more prone to heartburn. I didn't even consider Iron pills giving me a problem. I've been anemic for a bit but have been scared of iron pills since my bathroom habits aren't as consistent as they used to be if you know what i mean. That makes me think. Thanks for that.

Sent from my SM-G925T using BariatricPal mobile app

I just take a stool softener if I am having issues staying regular.

Not taking iron isn't an option for me.

Since I switched to the extended release iron pills and started taking nexium, my GERD is much better. I think in 6 months it might be gone. I'll update