Heartburn.....

Hi all, I was sleeved just over two weeks ago and only in the last couple of nights I've been waking up with heartburn which doesn't disappear until after breakfast. Is this a common thing?? Thanks :)

Reflux is pretty common post-VSG and that's why a lot of surgeons put their patients on a PPI (Nexium, Prilosec, Protonix, Prevacid), be it RX or OTC for 3-6 months post-op.

I'm on 20mg Prilosec(generic Omeprazole prescription) once daily. I take it first thing in the morning, and wait 1 hour before eating per the label.

Some patients don't eat anything, or have liquids 3 hours before lying down, and that might help.

Gaviscon can give some temporary relief of reflux, but if you aren't on a PPI, you might want to discuss this with your surgeon.

Thanks for that - I'll get on to it with my doctor :) it has been sooooo uncomfortable and I panicked a little bit the first time I experienced it!

Hi Lena, It is a long haul thing I gotta tell you, I am 2 years post and still get heartburn. I take Nexium and it keeps it under control and if I forget them (which I do occassionally) the chewable mylanta tabs will help out. Who did your surgery (Noticed you are in Karratha I am in Perth)

Hi Toni, I had my surgery in Melbourne by Mr Frydenberg - he was brilliant. He took my band out (which he had put in ten years ago) and did my sleeve in the same op!
Not happy with the thought of having heartburn for years tho! Is nexium available over the counter or do I need a script for it?
Nice to 'talk' to you :)

:D Lena, it is managable and only tends to flair up when I eat overly fatty. spicey or rich foods Maybe it is the bodies warning bell at eating the wrong food. (Wine also sometimes makes it happen) Nexium is a script med, my doctor prefers i take that to over the counter meds not sure why. It is a pretty big tab so your doc may put you on a liquid first. I wouldn't stress about having it forever, some sleevers I have met who have been longer post op don't seem to get HB to bad.

Get Omeprazole 20mg 1 in am 1 in pm for the reflux over the counter and cheap! You can always ask the pharmacist which kind his store makes. This one is Walgreens brand . Also you can get your Dr. to prescribe Reglan or Metoclopramide 10mg take 1 before meals and at bedtime. You want have any issues with heartburn or reflux with these :)

I am 6 weeks post op and still get heartburn though not as bad as the first 4 weeks. I was getting woke up at night with really bad pain iin the first few weeks. I would have a few sips of a yogurt drink and that would settle it down so I could sleep again. Antacids help somewhat but not a lot. It doesn't last long and I do not wake up at night anymore with it so it's manageble without taking any pills.

I agree with all, omeprazole is the best for the heartburn.
I took it for 2 months after my surgery prescribed by the doctor.
I have not had any symptoms after I stopped taking it.
The doctor told me to start taking it again if I had to take any medications or if I ever felt heartburn.