Need information on reflux after sleeve surgery please!

I saw my surgeon for the first time today and I had decided that I really wanted to have the sleeve procedure done instead of the bypass. That was the ONLY thing I was sure of. Until he said that sometimes the sleeve procedure causes a lot of reflux for some people. Well I already suffer greatly from the kind of reflux that burns my throat in spite of meds, and I had heard that it would get better after surgery. I would love to hear from anyone who had the sleeve  that has had problems with reflux- did you have them before surgery? Did they get worse after the surgery? Did they improve? Thank you so much for your input. My surgeon really wants me to research this with other people who have had the same problem before he will let me decide on which surgery to have. Thank you SO MUCH!!!  I have been lurking around the board for a while as I was making my decision and you all have been an inspiration to me, especially how you help each other.

I've been here a while and I think you'll get lots of answers on either side of the fence.  Just remember, everyone is an individual.

I'll be 2 years post op in October.  I've had GERD for many years and had been worked up (ALL the GI tests, including being scoped) just a couple months prior to my surgery.  What the diagnostics did NOT reveal was that I had a hiatal hernia, which was repaired during my VSG.  This is not uncommon.  While I still do take Nexium, my reflux is well controlled now and I could probably attempt to take myself off of it.  Most of my issues result from late night eating, which continues to be m nemesis, although, I have improved greatly post op.

My surgeon recommended RNY because of my long history of GERD, but I would have NO part of that.  I am so glad that I stuck with my guns and had a VSG.  The one thing that is different for me now with my tiny tummy, is that if I eat something spicy, I almost immediately have reflux, but it dissipates within 20 mins.  

Good luck with your decision!

I had GERD for a couple years before surgery.  It was well-controlled with an over-the-counter PPI.  After surgery I was put on Nexium, which didn't work.  I went back to my old faithful, which also didn't work.  I switched to Prevacid, which worked for several months, then I had a major flare-up.  My doctor put me on Dexilant, and I continued to take the Prevacid.  That combination worked fairly well but didn't entirely relieve my symptoms.  I switched to Protonix 40mg twice a day about 2 weeks ago, and that seems to be working very well.  The gastric acid issue is the only post-surgical issue I've had, and I feel like I just needed to find the right medication.  So far Protonix is it.

We talked about this just a couple of days ago. If you don't get many answers to your thread, use the search feature at the top of this page. You'll find a lot of stuff there.

I had gerd and was taking - I forget what - for it. A prescription of some kind.  My surgeon said VSG would almost surely make it worse. It didn't. Since surgery I take my  heartburn med less and less. I took one yesterday for the first time in a week or more - I forget now. It's so much better since surgery.

I know deciding on the type of surgery can be dificult. Look at factors other than gerd when it comes down to it. With the sleeve I have a complete digestive system - top to bottom. I love my sleeve. Keep reading and doing your homework. Look at the whole picture when you're deciding.

Thank you all so much for your replies, I hope they keep coming. I really have my heart set on the sleeve and if all I have to do is stay on meds for my GERD and reflux after surgery, then that is Ok, I'm living with it now. I just don't think I could handle it if got much worse. You are all so informative and supportive, I am so appreciative!!