I wish I had the answers you are seeking, but I don't! I do want to welcome you to the group and I hope you find the answers you seek.

I am preop, been coming to this site since last December. I too thought I'd never have surgery... Not because I have anything against it, but because I knew it was ONLY a tool... and I always figured if I had to change my lifestyle anyways, then I'd just do that. But after changing my lifestyle, I still struggle with losing wt. So here I am going to have surgery.

I personally not a fan of the lap band cause I know several people who did it then went back for RNY (bypass)... I figure if I am going to do this, I am going "all the way" so to speak.

But I do know some people have success with it...

My surgery will be in Aug, possibly late July.

Best of luck in your search for answers!
Becca :)

In my experience with gerd, once they took out my gallbladder its been wonderful, I would suggest you ask the Doc if you need it out, as that could be what is causing the gerd...Best Wishes

I've been curious about the gallbladder. I had my appendix out in 2009 ish before I lost the 100 pounds and the stomach problems have gotten worse. I've had a few surgeries and have had negative side effects and don't want something so permanent line the bypass just In case, if that makes sense.

I for one would not opt for the Lap-Band to help with the gerd. I had the lap-band done 10 years ago and it caused me severe heartburn everyday. I opted to have it taken out 7 months ago and conver to the bypass. BEST thing I have ever done. I am down 115 lbs and no longer suffer with any kind of heartburn. Again, this is just my honest opinion. I wish I had had the gastric bypass right from the beginning instead of wasting 10 years.

Gastric bypass surgery cured my GERD.
Shelley :o)

LOL after reading Jennifer's comment, at the time I struggled with gerd I too had a Lap Band. I got a hiatial hernia and it slipped, gerd was so bad I was sleeping in a chair with a tums tucked in the corner of my mouth. I upgraded to RNY this past Feb. they took out the gallbladder and removed the band, I haven't had heartburn since, its been wonderful!

So, don't do Lap Band for gerd, at least thats my opinion. They will tell you that Lap Band will help with gerd but it doesn't and it doesn't correct the hiatial hernia either. I felt so much better once they took my band out it was amazing....Good Luck

I don't think that havingWLS should be considered a cop out. It's not the "easy" way out, it takes a lot of work, planning and commitment just like losing weight on your own does. I looked at it as a tool to help me succeed where I could never succeed before on my own. You've done wonderful losing weight on your own but if your stuck you might want to investigate surgery more. I know my doc won't do Lap Band any longer as most people come back for revisions when it fails. Also you should check with your insurance company to see if they have restrictions on the type of surgery they allow. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I had GERD before I had GBS. In fact, it was the reason why I consulted with a surgeon initially. I wanted to have the hernia fixed. He told me that the repairs don't last. That in five years, I'd need to have it repaired again. Then we reviewed my medical record. When I learned all the benefits that would accrue from GBS surgery (diabetes cure, GERD cure, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol....) it was a no brainer. One thing you need to understand is that obesity changes your the functioning of your body, making it near to impossible to lose the weight and keep it off strictly through diet and exercise.

It is commendable that you have lost 100 lb. on your own. That is amazing. Whether you are among the 5 percent of people who can successfully lose all the weight that you need to lose and keep it off is not something that can be predicted.

I knew, for myself, that the health risks I faced from GERD and diabetes made the surgery a very good option for me. I've had no regrets. I feel good, I'm healthier, and I can move without pain.

I suggest that you read some of the many books that are out there about GBS, as well as Women, Food and God. You also might want to consult a nutritionist and a therapist who is experienced in dealing with weight/food issues. Those steps may help you make the right decision for yourself.

Good luck. :)

I had RNY surgery in September last year. My gerd is a lot better since my surgery. Do your research and ask a lot of questions. You have to make the choice yourself but I have heard that many of the people try a band and then end up having another surgery for gastric bypass. And it is not a 'cop out' It still takes work, more than what you can due on your own. I wish you the best. And welcome! debby

I too struggled with terrible gerd. One suggestion I might make that you can try is going gluten free. When I started working with a nutritionist, we decided gluten might be an issue for me. Anyway when I stay off gluten products, no reflux. I went ahead witn sirgery to lose the weight simply because I was done being obese and yo yo ing all the time.

Try the gluten. It is not as hard as you think, and amazon has some great cookbooks available with recipes my whole family not only enjoys, but craves!

I also agree with comments on the band. Research says that it is a dying process. It fails more than works.

I don't have direct answers either. But I have a friend that has Gerd. There are certain foods you can't eat. Do some research on foods that trigger your symptoms. Bypass surgery was my answer. We are all different. Good luck

I had an RNY in Dec of 2012, GERD is gone.

I have read too much negative about the lap bands, In a lot of cases they are not effective in losing weight and they can make acid reflux worse. My surgeon won't do them anymore. He says he has a steady stream of folks coming in wanting the lap band removed and an RNY done.
I too at first wanted a band until I researched it, Wieght loss surgery isn't the "easy way out" and for a lot of us it was medically necessary. It was a life saver for me. My diabetes was killing me and my diabetic specalist told me I needed to do the surgery and gave me a letter to get the ins co to cover it. Now, no insulin after a few weeks and at 5 months 95 pounds down. I wouldn't change a thing, just wish I had sone it sooner! We are all different we got to make our own determination of what we need and want.

They don't like lap band but they still do it. I've debated about cutting out gluten, I'm already dairy free.

I had GERD before the surgery and was on daily (sometimes twice daily) acid blockers. I chose to have the gastric bypass for weight loss. My surgeon indicated he would fix a hiatal if he found it, but It ended up not being necessary. My GERD is gone and I no longer have to take meds for it. I'm down 180 lbs and feeling great - this was a wonderful tool to help me control my portions and sugar/carb intake. I would recommend you relook at your concerns over the gastric bypass surgery. It might be a better option for your short and long term success.