Reflux post sleeve - longer term

yoodles wrote:

In relation to the original post, I have done heaps of research on reflux and the sleeve. My gastro guy (not a weight surgeon) is adamant in my case, it will make the reflux worse and he wants me to go for a band. However, everything I read said it may be worse or the same for the first couple of years and settle as time goes by. It is definitely a question for my surgery appointment next month!

I never had reflux until I got the band. I then developed the worst reflux and oesophageal spasms that 1 day I thought I was having a heart attack & wound up in ED.
Since the sleeve I took nexium, on my surgeons advice, for 3 months. Since then I occasionally have reflux but gaviscon tablets relieve it rapidly.
So for me, the band caused my reflux

I suffered cronic reflux prior to my sleeve... to the point where some days water even caused trouble. Some nights I would be up most of it with it so bad it resulted in vomitting.

During the sleeve op a hiatus hernia was found and repaired. I only stayed on the nexium for a couple of weeks after the surgery as I was feeling so good, I didn't want to keep taking it if I didn't need it after years of having to ram it down my throat.

I have not had a moment of reflux since, don't know if it was just the hernia or also the weight loss... either way, I am happy it has gone.

I was on 60 mg a day of Nexium before my op, 40 in the morning and 20 before bed. I had a hernia fixed at the time of surgery. I now don't have to take any reflux meds. I did notice that both antibiotics and antiinflammatories made it come back, but when I went off them it has disappeared again. I'm over the moon - had very bad reflux for about four years prior to sleeve.

My doctor said that my reflux should subside as I lose weight, he said it is mainly weight related, I do hope that he is right! And I gave up smoking so I could have the op!

Hiya Chris,

I smoked for 20 years giving up several times but always still wanted one, until I read Allan Carrs book... Changed my total view point of smoking and never ever enjoyed a ciggie again... Now if I smell it (even in the car in front of me when at the lights) I feel sick... Its been 5 years since I gave up and know that I will never go back... Definitely grab the book...

You really need to smoke when reading the book but be warned you may still smoke after the book (I think I did for about a month after) but you will never enjoy a smoke again (which means it will be so much easier to give up)

Best of luck with it all

:-)

Yep, definitely talk to your doc about it.
Mine told me that most who have reflux after the sleeve will lost it within months, some will take a couple of years, and a few will always have it.
Hmm, that's the second time I've had Allan Carr recommended to me in just a few days - will have to take a look...

My surgeon told me that the valve between my stomach and oesophagus is weak, and I may suffer worse (and worsening) reflux after the sleeve. He said that gastric bypass is the surgery usually recommended for reflux sufferers. I have opted to go ahead because I already have bad reflux - and it s worse when I am heavier. Also step one of a bypass is the gastrectomy, so it seems sensible to wait and see if reflux worsens first, yaknow?

Emily there's no way I would go back for another band - it's not a competition between the band and the sleeve. It's the whole lifestyle change and feeling that I will never be able to enjoy food again and a whole lot of other emotions I am experiencing at the moment... probably the optifast talking!! Your weight loss is great, good on you.
KandK thankyou for your very motivational post. I know you are right, and I'm so glad you are doing so well and happy with your decision. I know I will be too, just need to stop sooking really. I do need help, and I do need a sleeve. I remember how good I felt when I lost weight with the band and I'll have that again. Thankyou. And I'm so sorry for the loss of your mum xxx.

If you look at my weight loss, I would not change anything even though I have some (manageable) reflux now - it's worth it. Given that I had an annoying dry cough preop I think I probably had reflux I wasn't aware of anyhow. The potential problems of reflux compared to the almost definite problems of the lap band means it's not even a competition for me.

Hi KG,

I so know where you are coming from.
I have been overweight from about 4 years of age. I too have struggled my whole life with this issue.
It really sucks - I get sad when I think how different my life could have been if I were thin. I'm only 30 but I know I have missed opportunities in life because my weight has held me back.

I had all but given up when I first heard of the sleeve. Isn't that terrible? In my 20's and expecting to die by age 40. I didn't dare dream of kids or a happy future because I didn't expect to be around that long.

I watched my mother die young due to obesity related illness and I was staring down the same future.

Now, 3 months post-op I have hope back. That's what the sleeve has done for me. I am 20Kg down, at least 20Kg to go and whilst not completely optimistic yet that I will succeed - I have hope.

I am so grateful that science has come up with this option for us. It could have saved my mothers life had it been around 20 years ago and it just might save mine (and yours!).

It is hard to pick yourself up after a lifetime of failing at something but it's better than the alternative.

I wish you all the success with your sleeve - hopefully in a years time we will be one of the lucky ones at goal, health problems gone and enjoying our lives.

K.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I am feeling really mixed up about being sleeved at the moment; all I know is I am over trying to diet my whole life and this seems like the answer. I didn't know I would feel like this being that I have been banded (twice!). I can't see myself miraculously changing and managing my weight after having struggled with it since childhood but ... I don't know. It's making me very nervous and I am angry at science that this seems to be our best bet!! I do remember when I had my band how much more in control I felt with food and know I will have that again with the sleeve so I have to keep thinking of all the positives. Woe is me!!

I'm not sleeved yet, but have had reflux for a few years now. If you only take Somac on a couple of days and then stop you may only be masking the symptoms. I used to do that on my GP's advice. When I went to a specialist he was horrified that I had been advised to do that.

Apparently the way that group of medications work is you need to keep "topping it up" every day or it is only good for a couple of days. He says he sees a lot of silent reflux where the flare ups are because the silent part of it that gives no symptoms is out of control. I now take the meds every day, not just when it is bad and works a treat.

In relation to the original post, I have done heaps of research on reflux and the sleeve. My gastro guy (not a weight surgeon) is adamant in my case, it will make the reflux worse and he wants me to go for a band. However, everything I read said it may be worse or the same for the first couple of years and settle as time goes by. It is definitely a question for my surgery appointment next month!

Oh god, I know, I am a reformed smoker. My mother died recently of a type of lung cancer and I would never ever ever smoke again after watching her struggle to breathe. But I do know how difficult it is.

[Not to go on, but.. have you tried Allen Carr's seminar... my father, mother, brother, sisters x2, myself and a friend all quit after attending one. The parents were hardcore >40yr+ smokers then and were very surprised when it worked]

Yeah yeah yeah (said laughingly)
You think I haven't tried to stop?
For now, though, this is how it is - and it's a lot better than eating everything in sight!
As for the pills, no I didn't know that - my doc just told me to take it for a few days if it plays up, so that's what I do.

Caz wrote:

You are both nuts to smoke at all!!!!!!

That is me getting on my soapbox.

Chris - think how you could afford the tummy tuck if you gave it up - LOL

I know I know I know........ I have cut down HEAPS. I don't smoke at work anymore. No idea why I still smoke at home!

Reflux is definitely directly associated with smoking. Clear and established relationship. It decreases gastro-esophageal sphincter pressure.

Just FYI - if you have regular reflux and just take PPI intermittently, you may not be preventing sub-clinical damage to your esophagus. Generally PPI should be taken regularly for best results and to avoid esophageal damage (eg. Barrett's esophagus can occur from acid-related cellular damage).

You are both nuts to smoke at all!!!!!!

That is me getting on my soapbox.

Chris - think how you could afford the tummy tuck if you gave it up - LOL

Hmmm must keep an eye on my smoking....you could be onto something Chris, I get reflux more on the weekends when I smoke more than weekdays....must moniter that!

I had bad reflux before the op, and had a hiatus hernia repaired at the same time.
After the op, I took the reflux meds for a couple of months and then didn't need them any more.
These days, I do have a little reflux now and then, but a few days of meds and it's okay again - however, I have to say that I think it's related to my smoking - seems to be worse when I smoke more.
Never had much trouble with throat noises, but my tummy still makes its share of loud noises!

I am nearly 16 months out, and yes I still get reflux.
I take my meds once daily, but some days I have to take another one or two!

I am 23 months out, I NEVER EVER had reflux post op. Now somedays its horrible. I find I can take somac for a couple of days to clear it up. I should be taking it regularly but I don't. Wine and garlic make it worse, but sometimes it comes from no where.

I had awful reflux up until recently (about nine months). I've now come off the medication and it does still flare up, but it's a lot more bearable and I can just take a Nexium for a couple of days with good relief.

I am 8 months out and was still having reasonably annoying reflux (never had it preop). Had an EGD (upper GI scope) last month which showed "mild reflux". Funnily enough, it was on Losec that I had the problems - was ok on Nexium and now have switched to Prevacid and am fine again. Hasn't bothered me for 3 weeks or so now - I was feeling acid kind of bubble up my throat if I didn't take the Losec, or in the afternoon when it was due.

Hi there, I'm particularly interested in 'longer term' sleevers responses here - say 6 months and over; do you still experience reflux of any degree? I know when I had my band and it started to misbehave I had shocking reflux and in my 'natural' state never suffer from it, so I'm just wondering how long I can expect to have it for after the sleeve. I'm hoping it's not a long term thing. With the band too I used to do little toadie noises in my throat when I was quite full; does this happen at all? Thanks in anticipation of responses, Rachel.