Tag: Gastric Sleeve

What to Know About Gastric Sleeve and Acid Reflux

Posted on September 15, 2022

A brunette woman in cream colored shirt sitting at a table with her hand over her chest expressing discomfort.

A brunette woman in cream colored shirt sitting at a table with her hand over her chest expressing discomfort.

Are you in the process of recovering from a gastric sleeve operation? Or are you considering the transformative procedure? If so, you may have heard of acid reflux as a side effect of gastric sleeve surgery. Up to 35 % of people suffer from acid reflux after gastric sleeve surgery, but don’t let that stop you from pursuing weight loss surgery. Many find it to be manageable, and some don’t experience it at all!

While not everyone who undergoes gastric sleeve surgery will deal with acid reflux, we want to answer any questions you may have to help you avoid discomfort post-operation. In this blog, our team at BMI Surgery will explore everything you need to know about the connection between gastric sleeve surgery and acid reflux.

What is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux is a condition that causes stomach acid to move out of the stomach and into the esophagus (the tube running between the throat and stomach). Acid reflux can cause discomfort and pain to those that experience it. People that have chronic acid reflux may have a condition known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), which can cause the following additional symptoms:

  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Nausea
  • Heartburn

Many people sometimes experience heartburn and acid indigestion, especially after eating a large meal. However, GERD refers to experiencing acid reflux more frequently, at least a couple of times each week.

Losing weight with gastric sleeve surgery can help some GERD sufferers to improve or eliminate their condition through weight loss. However, some people find themselves experiencing GERD for the first time following their gastric sleeve surgery.

Why is Acid Reflux Common After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Research into the connection between acid reflux and gastric sleeve surgery has produced mixed results. But, it is believed that there are three possible causes of GERD developing after gastric sleeve surgery:

  • Existing hiatus hernia (part of the stomach bulges into the chest)
  • Damage caused to the esophageal sphincter following surgery
  • Change in intra-abdominal pressure

If you experience acid reflux after gastric sleeve surgery, it should subside as you lose weight and your body recovers from surgery. Your doctor can provide clear timelines for recovery and answer any specific questions you may have.

How to Reduce Acid Reflux After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Some issues that can later cause GERD can be addressed by the surgeon during your operation. If you develop acid reflux after gastric sleeve surgery, there are some treatments available.

While not everyone will develop acid reflux after gastric sleeve surgery, knowing that treatment is available if needed is helpful. Some common remedies for acid reflux after gastric sleeve surgery include:

  • Medications such as antacids, proton pump inhibitors, and H2 receptor blockers
  • Light exercise
  • Avoiding foods that could irritate your stomach, like fatty foods, anything deep-fried, and drinks with excess caffeine
  • Avoiding overeating
  • Eating slowly

For more information, we recommend you contact your provider about the best ways to eliminate or reduce acid reflux or GERD symptoms following surgery.

Find Relief from Acid Reflux After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Find quality support, advice, and encouragement after gastric sleeve surgery from Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery! If you develop acid reflux after your surgery, our qualified team of experts can help you find the relief you deserve. Don’t let the fear of acid reflux keep you from embarking on your weight loss journey– find out more today!

Interested in Weight Loss Surgery?

At Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery, we offer a choice of weight loss surgeries to help you achieve your weight loss goals and lead a healthier life. Call us at (205) 858-1211 or contact us online to learn more about weight loss surgery today!

How Gastric Sleeve and Gastric Bypass Are Different?

Posted on June 28, 2022

how gastric bypass & gastric sleeve are different

how gastric bypass & gastric sleeve are different

Weight loss surgery is often necessary for patients that have extreme difficulty losing weight or for those who seek permanent weight loss. Often, if you are significantly overweight, it can actually be a health risk to begin a rigorous exercise routine or too-strict diet plan. In these cases, we may recommend a surgical procedure like the gastric sleeve or gastric bypass. These options can lower your risks and get you on a path to improved health and wellness.

Amongst the many bariatric surgery options available, gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgeries are the most well-known and common. Both of these procedures are meant to be permanent and require a full-time commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. But what’s the difference?

Learn about each option and which is best for your weight loss goals!

What is a Gastric Sleeve?

Also known as sleeve gastrectomy, gastric sleeve surgery is designed to limit the amount of food that patients can eat—and desire to eat. The surgery will reduce the stomach size to between two-thirds and 80% of its original size.

A smaller stomach means people physically eat less food before feeling full, reducing their caloric intake and helping them lose weight. Moreover, gastric sleeve surgery also removes part of the stomach responsible for producing the hunger hormone ghrelin. That means patients are less likely to feel the urge to eat after this surgery, which is why it is so popular.

The procedure only takes 30-35 minutes, and recovery is typically quick. Gastric sleeve surgery is performed laparoscopically, meaning that it doesn’t require any large abdominal incisions. Because this surgery is minimally invasive, it involves less pain and less hospital time.

What is a Gastric Bypass?

Gastric bypass surgery creates a small pouch that bypasses most of your stomach and some of the small intestine. Food will then go through this pouch and to the intestines, cutting out a large section of the stomach. Additionally, a part of your small intestine that absorbs calories is removed. Without this portion of your intestine, you absorb fewer calories from meals, helping you lose weight.

A gastric bypass is more complex than a sleeve. In a sleeve gastrectomy, your surgeon must only complete one step: removing part of your stomach. In a gastric bypass, the surgeon will remove part of the intestine, create a stomach pouch, and then re-attach the rest of the stomach closer to the intestines. Consequently, the surgery has a longer recovery period.

Which Option is Best for Me?

Gastric bypass is the more complicated surgery but also the one that tends to deliver the most dramatic results. It is also the preferred choice for those who suffer from severe diabetes. Because a gastric sleeve isn’t an option for those with severe reflux disease, a bypass may give them an avenue for significant weight loss.

That said, the gastric sleeve is simpler and comes with fewer risks. It can be an incredible way to jumpstart your journey to overcoming obesity without affecting the sphincter muscles that allow food to enter and exit your stomach. Most patients see 50-70% of excess weight lost over the first 1-2 years and find it easier to perform daily activities, helping them maintain their results.

Discuss Your Options with the Professionals

There are lots of bariatric surgery options, and gastric sleeve and gastric bypass are the most common because of their great results! However, it’s important to consult a surgical expert before making a decision. The best surgery will depend on things such as your current weight, lifestyle, eating habits, and medical history. A certified doctor will be able to evaluate all of these things and help you decide which choice is right for you and your weight loss goals.

Learn More About Bariatric Surgery And Lose Weight At BMI Surgery!

If you’d like to learn more about our minimally invasive gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgeries—or any other bariatric surgeries—please feel free to contact Dr. Long and his team today. Proudly serving the Birmingham area, we specialize in all types of bariatric surgery and can help you find the best solution for your weight loss goals. Call us today at 205-850-1973 to set up a consultation.

We look forward to helping you take back control of your health!