Acid Reflux Disease Before and After Gastric Bypass Surgery
November 18, 2009 by Terry
Filed under Featured, Weight Loss Surgery
Among those of us that are overweight acid reflux disease commonly referred to as GERD is a common problem. If you are morbidly obese, have GERD and considering gastric bypass surgery or lap band surgery you are probably wondering if weight loss surgery will have an effect on your acid reflux diseases.
So what is acid reflux disease? Acid reflux disease is short for gastro esophageal reflux disease often referred to as GERD. Acid reflux occurs when the acid content found in the stomach returns to the esophagus. If this happens several times weeks then you have to deal with this issue which is very common among many individuals of any age today. As a matter of fact, infants and elderly people are prone to having acid reflux and this is particularly due to the diet regime that the individual goes through during the day.
I suffered from this disease not realizing what it was until rushed to the hospital in an ambulance after experiencing a severe case of it while at a client’s home. This client was a registered nurse and she thought I was having a heart attack. At the hospital I went through about 3 days of testing before they determined it was GERD and not a heart attack.
From personal experience I can tell you that GERD can be very painful. While antacids can often bring comfort to a mild case of acid reflux they can also create a worse condition. The only thing that can be done to attenuate this illness in some way is by following a specific diet avoiding certain foods and drinks that could trigger the acid to form such as citrus, caffeine, alcohol, anything fried or full of fatty substances like onions, garlic and fried potatoes. You know, all of those good things so many of us enjoy.
Not only foods and beverages are to blame for this health issue, but even the kind of lifestyle one chooses to live in. For instance, people who smoke, drink or who are constantly overweight are more prone to suffering the devastating consequences of acid reflux. Following the right change in the lifestyle habits of these individuals could save them from having a burning sensation in the stomach and ease the complications that consequently come out of it.
There are some other activities that one takes for granted too that could bring forth some uneasiness in the esophagus such as lying down after having a meal in the middle of the day, eating big meals all at once instead of pacing it a little at a time. Even bending forward or picking up heavy weights are all acid reflux triggers to pay very particular attention to.
One must also consider the genetic factor which plays a fundamental role. Some individuals belonging to the same family could have the same issues related to this health symptom that if not treated or put under control could worsen and be more serious condition known as heartburn. This is a grave form of acid reflux in which the excruciating pain can be felt in other parts of the body such as in the upper chest area.
After spending several years on medications to control my GERD I had gastric bypass surgery, not because of the acid reflux but because I just could not control my weight with diet. I was told that weight loss surgery helped control GERD, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and a lot of other health problems. Having had my gastric bypass surgery over a year ago now I can tell you that I have not experienced GERD since. Additionally my cholesterol is not completely normal, I no longer use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea, my blood sugar levels are normal and my high blood pressure is completely under control. I may be nearing 70 but I am in better health today than when I was 50.
Am I telling you to have weight loss surgery for your GERD? Absolutely not, weight loss surgery is serious business and not the best way for everyone to lose weight. While I am please that I had the surgery and have experienced so many benefits from it you still want to know all of your options before you go under any type of surgery. Once you do I am sure you will make the best choice for yourself.
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