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GERD/Reflux

M

Mattmia2

Member
In August I had my lap band removed after 10 years due to GERD. I am now thinking of having the gastric sleeve done but I have read that it can also cause GERD/ reflux, sometimes to the point of needing a bypass, which is something I am not interested in doing in the future. I am really having reservations about surgery because I suffered with GERD and have aspirated in the past.

I am wondering if anyone has experienced this with the sleeve and does the surgery out weigh any side effects?
 
Hi Mattmia2, welcome!

I just had VSG in June and had the band removed at that time. With the band, I was having GERD at night and I was afraid of aspirating, so several years ago I had all the restriction removed from the band but didn't have the band surgically removed at that time. I never had a problem with GERD prior to my lapband so I don't know if that makes a difference or not. Perhaps if I had a history of GERD all along I would have considered gastric bypass instead. Have you discussed this with your doctor? Hopefully others will answer your questions and might have better insight. I'm still fairly new.
 
My surgeon decided the sleeve was not the right decision for me after my EDG, and learning of my family history with GERD. I only showed slight signs of acid reflux, but he knew the chances of developing GERD would be high if I chose that path. I also didn’t want to have revision surgery from sleeve to bypass if the GERD got back.
 
3momchaos said:
My surgeon decided the sleeve was not the right decision for me after my EDG, and learning of my family history with GERD. I only showed slight signs of acid reflux, but he knew the chances of developing GERD would be high if I chose that path. I also didn’t want to have revision surgery from sleeve to bypass if the GERD got back.
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I did not have any issues with reflux prior to lap band. All restriction was removed about 2 years ago and the reflux stopped. However I gained most of the weight back. My doctor said there is always a chance of reflux with the sleeve. I am scheduled for my EGD in December so I will see what happens. I think I have some PTSD from aspirating. Lol.
 
Mattmia2 said:
I do not want to get a bypass and am afraid if I get reflux with the sleeve I will suffer the rest of my life with it. Guess I have some things to think about.
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I think it’s important to remember that everyone’s health journey is very personal. If you don’t want the bypass, then your surgeon should respect that choice. As always, I wish you and everyone the very best ;)
 
Mattmia2 said:
I did not have any issues with reflux prior to lap band. All restriction was removed about 2 years ago and the reflux stopped. However I gained most of the weight back. My doctor said there is always a chance of reflux with the sleeve. I am scheduled for my EGD in December so I will see what happens. I think I have some PTSD from aspirating. Lol.
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That happened to me too, regaining the weight after the restriction was removed. I hope the EGD goes well. Please keep us posted.
 
I rarely had acid issues prior to surgery. Had some issues during pregnancy and an occasional issue that would come up if I ate the wrong food or drank too much with no food. I had the sleeve done on 9/2/20. The acid reflux has not been fun my throat is always a bit raw and it doesn't matter what I eat or drink it triggers it.

Personally, if you had issues before I would say do the the full bypass. There is a risk with the sleeve that you will have the issue and if you already had/have the issue you are more likely to. I was doing some reading this morning and even those that never had and acid issue before there is a 9 % risk. I won't do a full bypass so I am hoping that I can just do a different acid medication or up the dose.
 
3momchaos said:
My surgeon decided the sleeve was not the right decision for me after my EDG, and learning of my family history with GERD. I only showed slight signs of acid reflux, but he knew the chances of developing GERD would be high if I chose that path. I also didn’t want to have revision surgery from sleeve to bypass if the GERD got back.
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How long after you EDG was your surgery scheduled?
 
3momchaos said:
It felt like so long LOL I wasn’t done with all my insurance required visits, so I think about 3 months. However, one of those months was the time between scheduling surgery and my surgery date.
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Thank you so much for replying. I've done everything I'm just sitting and waiting. My doctor said he wanted to do it before the year ends. Hopefully we get it done before the second round of covid gets bad and they end the elective surgeries again.
 
jazzabella92 said:
Thank you so much for replying. I've done everything I'm just sitting and waiting. My doctor said he wanted to do it before the year ends. Hopefully we get it done before the second round of covid gets bad and they end the elective surgeries again.
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I totally hear you. I was worried that my surgery would get cancelled, but I had mine done right before the hospitals around me started cancelling electives again.
 
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