I had bypass about 9 months ago. I didn't have any reflux and I was out on actigall to prevent hall stones. It is definitely not an easy decision to make but look at all your options and weigh the pros and cons. Good luck!

I'm only five months out, but here's what I can offer you. I had reflux pre-surgery. About every 3 days or so, I would wake up in the middle of the night gasping because of it and feeling the burn for hours afterward. Post-op, I've had it mildly I believe twice. I usually don't eat anything after 7PM (bedtime is right around 9 typically) which I believe helps me out. If I have any notion that I may have an upset stomach, I take a couple of Tums right before bed. Works for me.

My wife had her gallbladder removed four years post-op with the sleeve. Hope this helps.

FYI...I was on omeprazole daily post-sleeve for the first six months. I was then fine for about two months before I woke up one night with bile in my mouth and sinuses. Thought I was going to die. Wanted to vomit, but couldn't! It was AWFUL. Immediately went back on omeprazole on a daily basis and made sure to avoid overly fatty/greasy meals too close to bedtime. Stayed on daily for another two months, then started with every other day for a while, and now it's when I remember, so a few times a week. *smile*

That crap sneaks up on you, and is AWFUL when it happens! I had NEVER had a situation so bad before surgery.

Prior to surgery I only had one experience with reflux. Post sleeve surgery I developed reflux about 3 to 4 months post opt. Two years after surgery I'm still on omeprazole when needed. In the past couple of weeks I think I may have discovered my trigger for reflux and its crystal light. I never drank it prior to surgery, I was a coffee or water girl. Following surgery I couldn't stomach the taste of water so I started in on the crystal light. I was drinking a lot of crystal light. I cut back to two a day and I can say without the omeprazole I've not had a bout of reflux. I'm thinking it may be the dye in crystal light.

Before my sleeve I had never really had reflux. Maybe once in a blue moon if I had something really spicy..
now 7 weeks post op if I don't take medication for it ( I did try for a few days when my script ran out) I get acids come up... it's bloody annoying and it's uncomfortable.
Can't believe it... I hate taking the meds cause they aren't good for you long term.

I am about 5 1/2 months post op VSG and no reflux so far. However, I didn't have it preop either and I think sometimes that can be an influence on having it after.

Anyone who loses significant amounts of weight rapidly is at high risk for gallstones regardless of the procedure. Studies have shown it's the rapid weight loss that increases the risk. Gallbladder removal after WLS became so common that some surgeons started removing gall bladders at the same time preventively. That's why almost all procedures now are followed by 6 months of Actigall to help prevent gallstones. Doesn't always work, but luckily GB removal is a fairly common surgery these days and low risk. I know a few people who had to get their gall bladder removed post WLS, none of them regret their decision because of it.

I had acid/reflux before the lap band and was able to go off meds for two years after surgery but then it came back (coincidentally when my band started eroding) and I went on Protonix daily for years. Even after I had the band removed I needed it daily. Eventually I weaned down to Omeprazole but still needed it daily. I too was concerned pre-VSG about it making my reflux worse, but my surgeon made feel like the risk was low and unlikely if I followed the guidelines/rules. 13 months post op and I can honestly say as long as I take my meds daily and don't over eat, or eat too close to bedtime, I'm a-ok. No better no worse. Also sleeping on your left side tends to help because of how the pouch is shaped. I've tried to go off the medication, even wean to every other day, but always get horrible rebound reflux. Oh well, I'm happy to take a daily pill if it means a happy sleeve!

Long story short, I don't think the surgery causes reflux but there is higher risk because it takes time for your stomach to adjust and produce less acid for your new smaller stomach. Plus it's easy to over eat and cause symptoms.

I have always had light reflux, every month or so I'd have a bought based on bad food choices and laying down soon after eating/drinking. I'm about a month out from a VSG right now and have had reflux issues since day one. That being said, some of it was part of the initial healing process - some of it was not knowing my triggers. I am on Pepcid Complete twice a day for 6 months (per my dr. to help with healing) and added a single omeprazole capsule sprinkled with my other crushed pills every day or two and have not felt a single issue since I started the omeprazole. I VERY quickly learned my triggers though (like someone above, Crystal Light and other acidic drinks were a major one, also not eating to the point of feeling full - learn your pouch size and then MEASURE carefully so you stop before you get there). I honestly think it will resolve itself as long as I follow the rules (Avoid triggers, don't sleep within a few hours of eating/drinking, etc.) and am conscious of it.

I would take reflux a thousand times over the possibility of long term nutrient deficiencies with the RNY - it wasn't even a question for me, but everyone is different.

I already had my gallbladder out about 6 months ago so stones were not an issue for me anymore, but RNY and VSG have the same incidence of stones in the long run. You may already HAVE stones and not realize it, in which case the doctor can just remove your gallbladder while in there as a two-fer.

I one of those strange ones that had fairly regular reflux before surgery and none after. I'm reluctant to post my experience because I'm the "outlier" with six weeks after surgery without even the slightest bit of nausea. I'm not a great point of comparison. If you're experiencing some heartburn it's pretty normal. Having some (or a lot) of nausea and reflux is common after gastric sleeve surgery.

Jamieeldred wrote: »

I physician said that it is important to take the heart burn medicine religiously for the first 3 months regardless of whether you have heard burn or not because it helps in the healing process of the new stomach.

It's also probably important for you to take the gallstone prevention pills. You don't want that problem. You can get pill cutters. Cut them in half or smaller then take them. Find a way to take them. Not worth the risk!!