Journey So Far

[RobertW]

Hello All,

It has been a while since I posted anything. I had my sleeve on May 1, 2016. On the day of my surgery, I weighed in at 304. Before my surgery I topped out at 320. Today I weigh 177. I passed my goal weight of 195 a few months ago. I am pleased and amazed by the results.

When I began my journey, the doctor and dietitians talked about the sleeve being a "tool". While I understood what they were saying, I really didn't get it. Now, I get it. The sleeve helps to restrict caloric intake to facilitate weight loss. However, it is still up to me to eat well and exercise. The sleeve isn't a magic pill. In fact, in many ways it is harder than just diet and exercise. Some days I really miss pizza and sandwiches. However, given how little I can eat, it just isn't worth it. So, the vast majority of the time it is protein first, then veggies, then some carbs room permitting. There usually isn't room though.

I'm extremely happy with decision to have the sleeve and with my results. I truly feel like it was the right decision for me. However, all that glitters isn't gold. A couple of months ago my hiatal hernia returned, and the heartburn and reflux came on with a vengeance. I'm on 40 mg of omeprazole once a day along with ranitidine once a day. I have to sleep upright. At my upper gi, the radiologist gave me the award for the worst reflux of the day, and I was the first appointment of the day. My surgeon says the only solution to the problem is a revision to a bypass. Based on my research, that seems to be the case.

I have read some posts here about reflux and heartburn, but I didn't see anything about a revision to a gastric bypass to solve the problem. My reflux and heartburn are bad, so I know I have to do something to fix the problem. The gastric bypass has its own set of complications. I worry that I'm trading one set of problems for another. I don't want to rush into another surgery, but the symptoms are bad, and I have to do something.

Thanks for reading,

Robert.

[Luv49ers19]

I'm so glad the surgery was a success but sorry to hear about the problems you are experiencing now. I totally get not wanting to have the by pass surgery. Hope you can find a solution.

[Ann2]

Lord, you have worked your "tool" like a champ, Robert! Congratulations to you!

But I'm very sorry to hear you're suffering badly from reflux. Is there no chance that a hiatal hernia repair can be made surgically to give you some relief before you have to seriously consider having RnY (bypass) surgery? Obviously, if you have bypass surgery, you'll (probably?) lose a lot more weight before you can stabilize your weight. Or am I misunderstanding what would happen?

[Christie13]

Oh no I hate to hear that. Hopefully they can find an alternative to needing a bypass. You have totally rocked your sleeve. Congrats on all your success. Good luck to you.

[RobertW]

Ann2,

According to the surgeon, the stomach and esophagus are about the same size now. While the hernia can be repaired, it is likely to reoccur again as there isn't anything to really keep the stomach below the diaphragm.

Also, according to the surgeon, weight loss after the revision to a bypass would be between 0 and 20 pounds. I'm not sure I have 20 more pounds to lose unless it is excess skin.

I'm really torn about what to do. I either do nothing and try and find a combination of medications and lifestyle modifications that allows me enough relief from the reflux/heartburn, or I have a revision and have to face a whole new set of complications.

The surgeon says it is my decision, but I get the sense that he is leaning toward the revision. I understand his perspective. Surgeons operate. I'm a "no half measures" type of person, so I'm leaning toward the revision as well. I just need to get my head around a lifetime of PPIs and H2 blokers versus more surgery.

Again, thanks for reading.

[Gvn71]

Ugghhh. What a terrible situation. Doesn't sound like there is much of a decision to make. I couldn't imagine living with that severe of acid reflux, but agree that the bypass is not the way I would want to go.

Sorry you're in this situation. Hope things work out for the better whichever way you have to go.

[GigiUSA]

Robert you have done a phenomenal job with your weight loss!!! I have never had acid reflux in my life and I am 5 weeks out and taking tums almost every time I eat. I am sorry you have such a hard decision to make, but reflux stinks and I don't know if I would want to have it as severe as you do for a lifetime? Best wishes to you whatever you decide my friend. xoxo

[PokerGuy]

Robert. Did you have the reflux and heartburn before your sleeve? Or did it come as a result of the sleeve? or weight loss?
I had acid reflux and heartburn staring about 1 month before my sleeve. Never had it before. Now I'm 1 month post op and am taking previad morning and night. Just wondering if it's going to get better or worse....
PG

[RobertW]

PokerGuy,

I had occasional heatburn but not noticeable reflux. I was on omeprazole 20mg 1x per day post surgery. I tried to taper off it several time over the past year. Each time I tried to stop, I had heartburn. About 4 or 5 months ago, the heartburn got steadily worse, and I started having reflux. I went for an upper GI. The results showed significant reflux and that the hiatal hernia returned. I met with the surgeon. He said the hernia could be repaired but the repair wouldn't last. As he explained it, the stomach and esophagus are about the same size and there isn't any good way to stop the stomach from slipping back above the diaphragm. So, while the hernia could be repaired, the repair wouldn't last. The heartburn and reflux, if they went away after repairing the hernia, would eventually return.

Tums do nothing to relieve my symptoms. I worry about the long term effects of taking high doses of PPIs. The data on the long term use of PPIs is mixed at best. Some studies show potential kidney problems. Other studies show potential osteoporosis complications. Given that the omeprazole and ranitidine combination only knocks the edge off of the heartburn and reflux but do not make the symptoms disappear, it doesn't solve the problem. It only provides enough relief for me to get through the day. My goal is to solve the problem. Consequently, I'm leaning toward the revision to a bypass.

Thanks for reading,

Robert.

[Ann2]

Thanks, Robert, for your explication / explanation. That's rough. And I understand your perspective.

This sounds a little weird, but maybe you should gain 20 pounds prior to RnY revision surgery. It's possible, y'know.

No matter what you do, please stay connected to us here and let us know what you do and how you're doing. I'd really appreciate it. I also have reflux (and did pre-op), but thus far it's been manageable with medication and forgoing pizza, red wine, and chocolate before bedtime.

[PokerGuy]

Thanks for the detailed explanation. I just started having minor heartburn 1-2 months prior to surgery and now I'm only a month out and seem to have pretty bad acid reflux and heartburn. I'm taking a Previcid morning and night and it's got it pretty much under control but I realize I'm not supposed to takee it long term. Not sure if omeprazole is worse or better for you the Previcid. Thanks for your information though It really helps.
PG

[RobertW]

Greetings All!

I am scheduled for revision surgery on October 30th. I guess I'll be trick or treating in the hospital. My heartburn has continued to worsen. 40mg of omeprazole and 300mg of ranitadine morning and night take the edge off. I'm taking 10 or so Tums during the day to make it through.

I've really struggled with the decision to have the revision. I think I finally have my head around why. When I had the sleeve, I had choices. I could of had a bypass instead. I could of tried diet and exercise again. I could of done nothing. My point is, I had choices. Now, I don't have a choice. I can't manage the reflux and heartburn with medication, so doing nothing isn't an option. There isn't another procedure that is likely to fix the problem. Lifestyle modifications do not help to resolve the symptoms. So, my choice is be miserable or have the revision. This really isn't a choice. I don't like not having choice.

Anyway, now that I understand why I struggled to make this decision, I was able to easily make it.

I hope you all are having a great weekend!

Robert.

[PokerGuy]

Robert,
Thanks for keeping us informed. As I stated above I think I'm in the same boat. I'm 3 months out now and taking omeprazole every 12 hours. If I go 14 hours without taking it, I can feel the burning in the back of my throat. It seems to be getting worse. That and I can't eat hardly anything without throwing up. I think that is due to the acid. Do you have trouble eating?

[Ann2]

Robert, good to hear from you, man.

I'm glad you've made your decision. PLEASE let us know how everything goes for you post-RnY, OK? We want to know.

VERY BEST WISHES!!!

[RobertW]

PokerGuy,

I have not had any problems eating. I'm sorry to hear you are having that problem. If you haven't talked to your doctor about this, I strongly suggest that you do. You probably need an upper GI or an endoscopy to see what is going on.

Good Luck,

Robert.