This has come up several times & I thought I would bring it to the fore-front w/ its own thread.

My surgeon has me on Ranitidine w/ orders to add Prilosec OTC if I'm having problems w/ reflux. I had it before surgery.

When I took my medication list to my pharmacist, he said to make sure I always take my acid medication because some WLS docs don't have their patients on anything and he is seeing people getting ulcers because of it.

So...are you on anything for acid reduction or not. I'm especially interested in what the veterans who are faithful about their vitamins/minerals/meds and to check in with their surgeons annually & get labs have to say.

I was placed on an acid reducer for 90 days after surgery. And then nothing. I haven't had any problems, but it's only been a few weeks without anything.
Sorry, I know I'm no help.

Jeanie,
Good question. I was placed on OTC Prilosec(sp?) for the first several months
post op. I had some really painful times when I negleted to take it.
I still keep it around in case I need it in response to tummy pain (not too frequent now)
but I don't take it on a daily basic, just PRN.
So you think your pharmacist was saying we should stay on it? Interesting.

That was my take on what he said to me. I just thought it would be good to hear from the neighbors & get their take. Did they ever ask their doc? Do they take something? Yada yada yada.

Terri, no right or wrong, just wanted to get this question out to get the thoughts stirring since several have mentioned something about acid in a thread or two.

About a year and a half after my surgery, I started having severe stomach pains. My doc (pcp, not surgeon) tested me for H. Pylori which was negative then put me on Acephix. It works well. If I drink too much coffee (I only drink decaf), I will get some flare up of the pain, but other than that, no problems.

I'm glad you brought up the subject, though, BeJean. I've always heard that GBP helped alleviate acid reflux in patients because it isolated from the pouch the portion of the stomach that produces the stomach acid. However, it seems that many people either continue to have or develop acid reflux following surgery. I'll be interested to see everyones' responses.

My WLS center puts everybody on Pepcid or Prevacid for the first three months after surgery, and then they take you off, unless you have a problem. I'm three and a half months post-op, and my doctor put me on carafate last week because I started having a mild burning pain in my pouch. So I'm continuing with the Prevacid as well.

Like BeJean, I'm wondering if any veterens are taking OTC (or Rx) acid meds on a regular basis to prevent ulcers (or do you wait until you have pain)? And, can long-term use of these meds harm you in any way?

Although I hate to add yet another pill to my repertoire, I'd rather do that than deal with an ulcer down the road. Of course, I will check with my doctor first, but curious as to what others are doing.

Thanks for posting this Jeanie!

My center puts everyone on some form for at least three months after surgery. Unfortunately, if I don't take it every day, I have nausea and stomachaches. It is really the only complication that I have had since surgery that is related to my weight problem. I have two digestive disorders, one which was pretty much cured by the surgery but the other is chronic and forever so my surgeon thinks that the Nexium will be pretty permanent as well.

I had acid reflux pretty badly before WLS. My PCP put me on Protonix and I am still on it, 5 years after WLS. I still sometimes will get indigestion, very infrequently and only if I eat something a little spicy, then I'll take an OTC acid reducer which helps. I take one 40mg Protonix every morning.

I was placed on Nexium for the first 3 months post op...I've never had any problems until a few months ago...I'm 5 years post-op & tend to like spices & coffee...I told my PCP about it & asked for some Nexium..He advised me to try an OTC Prilosec...So I tried the Wal-mart generic one & it works like a charm..I will take it for 2 weeks then see how I am without it (The box says they give you 2, 14 day treatments,,so I'll do 1, 14 day trial) They say that you shouldn't take it for long periods.

My surgeon requires 2 YEARS of Prevacid soluables. (Tastes like strawberries&cream)

Forgot them when I went on vacation for a week, and what a HUGE difference!! Love my Prevacid! Very soothing!

I had no acid problems before surgery and I was not prescribe or instructed to take anything for it after surgery. I had a small bleed at the stoma and was on potonix while the cauterization healed but besides that have had nothing.

I've just started having this problem. My surgeon put me on Prilosec OTC for it. It's appearing to do the trick.

I was never put on anything for this before or after surgery...

Thanks for the information BeJean

My PCP said the reason for saying not to take it for long periods is so people will go to the doctor & make sure there isn't something seriously wrong. Many would just continue on the OTC Prilosec and something really bad might be missed.

I just started having some of the reflux myself, and started Prilosec OTC. It works great for me as well.

I was placed on an acid reducer 60 day after surgery as a precaution.
I haven't had any problems since before surgery.

Hugs,

Nancy

My center routinely puts everyone on 40mg of Famotadine, which is the active ingredient in Prilosec OTC. The OTC only has 20mg. The Dr. wants everyone to stay on this for six months.

Is it just me, or have I been noticing a lot of lap band patients with acid reflux????

I take Protonix every day, and if it's one of the 2 days a month I'm allowed to take Advil, I take one at night too.

Doug, bandsters who have reflux are filled too tightly. A properly placed/filled band actually STOPS reflux--my surgeon told me it would, and it did. My current surgeon, who is my daughter's band doctor, says the same thing.

It's a constant problem with people wanting tight fills or some doctors insisting they keep tight fills...if you look on Lapbandtalk.com, you'll see that A LOT in the complications. Sometimes people give suggestions for those suffering from reflux to get an unfill, the people don't listen, and low and behold, they wind up with a slip or worse, and have to have their bands removed. Oh well, you can lead a horse to water...

BTW, my doctor perscribed Nexium, but my insurance company doesn't cover it! How annoying. They appproved me for WLS practically overnight, with no supervised diet or anything, but they won't cover Nexium.