Online Seminars and a Sneak Peek of the Surgery

 One of the things my weight loss clinic offers is a series of online seminars with various topics and the ability to ask questions.  The most recent one was called Reflux after Sleeve. This was something I was curious about as many on the Facebook support groups complained about developing reflux after their sleeve surgery and having to have a revision to bypass at a later date. I don't have any serious issues with this, but was concerned that it would get worse and a second surgery would be needed. So many decisions.

What I learned from listening to this doctor was that you actually have a 50% chance of your reflux going away after having the sleeve surgery.  For those with no history, there is a small (12-15%) of developing the problem but it can be controlled with medications. He also went to on say that less than 7% will need any further surgery (revision to bypass) unless it's to fix a hiatal hernia. The problems don't develop until about a year and a half after the surgery. Many times it can be cured with dietary changes and increasing fiber in your diet.  50% of patients can get rid of the problem with weight loss.

Many of those who have self diagnosed themselves as having acid reflux are often guilty of eating too much, eating too fast and not chewing their food properly.

One person asked if there are certain foods that can cause reflux.  I was expecting to hear it was spicy foods and was surprised when he named the culprits.  The common foods that set off reflux are: caffeine, nicotine, chocolate, saturated fats and acidic foods such as citrus and sometimes tomatoes.

To rule out a hiatal hernia, you need to have an endoscopy.  I've had this procedure and found I had some irritation and was prescribed omeprazole.  I just received confirmation that the biopsy done during my endoscopy shows that I do not have celiac disease, so that was good. It wouldn't have made much difference anyway since breads, grains, etc are going to be off my list for a long time.

During the surgery the fundus is removed which contains ghrelin (the hunger hormone) as well as changing over thirty other hormones.  The effects of altering all these hormones goes on for about six months until things settle down again.  How wonderful that I can relive being thirteen again as my hormones zip around. Poor Pete may want to rent another unit somewhere while I go through this phase.

It wasn't until 2013 that the AMA  designated obesity as a disease.  In May 2017 World Obesity published its position statement recognizing obesity as a disease. 

 I found a video of what the surgery looks like.  Don't worry, it's just a simulation. It gives a nice overview of how the surgeon goes in and does what they do.  I did find a live 360 view of an actual surgery but couldn't bring myself to watch it.  There are some things I'd rather not know.