Acid and the Sleeve

I had heartburn way back... a decade ago.   The Tums on the beside table heartburn.  Lapband totally eliviated it.  For 10 years no heartburn.  Even a slipped band, and I never had it. I had my band removed and I have had horrible heartburn and reflux.  Just like it used to be.   How will the sleeve affect this?  I have a friend getting bypass because of this, and one getting sleeve with this.

You should probably check with your dr. I had heartburn & I got the sleeve, but my gerd was very,very mild & it was probably caused by the hiatal hernia that I didn't even know I had till I was scoped. This problem was fixed during surgery & I don't have to take a ppi anymore.

I have heard that a hernia can cause this, but to me it seems like he would have identified a hernia when he was in there removing my lapband.  I feel like it is related to the extra weight I have put on, at least I am hoping that is all.

Talk to your surgeon. Mine did not recommend sleeve if you had acid reflux. I never had any problems with this so I was able to get sleeved. Good luck!

This has only been a problem for a few weeks, today is the 3rd day in a row I have taken Prilosec and I have been heartburn free all day.  I am hoping this is temporay, because I haven't had bouts of heartburn like this in a decade.

Sleeve is known for causing reflux, which is why many docs recommend RNY if you already have GERD.  That being said, it's no guarantee.  I know many who's gERD was weight-related, and lost their GERD with their weight with sleeve stomachs.  It's a bit of a crapshoot, but the odds are against you.

Yes, I was talking to a lady I work with that is about to have bypass due to GERD.  She has had it for years and her Dr. recommends bypass for her.  She said her symptoms were much more severe and longterm than what I describe. I don't think I actually have GERD, I have only been having this nasty heartburn about 2 weeks... it is not normal for me.  I read something about Gerd being anti sleeve friendly and it freaked me out!  Thanks for the reply.

I had horrible acid reflux before I had the sleeve and my surgeon suspected I had a hiatal hernia. He said that is one of the main symptoms and the fact I was overweight. He checked and sure enough I did have a large hiatal hernia. He said once he fixed that then I would no longer have the reflux after I had the sleeve surgery. That might be something you look into. 

Thanks Melanie!  I will definitely let him know so we can rule this out. (or fix it)

Definitely talk to your doc. I had very mild acid reflux before the sleeve. But now 10 months out I have extreme pain from what they think is very very bad acid. I  fell like I'm having a heart attack when it hits. I have to have an EGD done and a 2 day moniter of the acid in my stomach. If it is as bad as they think I will have to be revised to the Rny. But my new pounch will only hold about 1.5 ounces instead of the 3 I can hold now :( 

again, please talk to your doctor about the acid.