Expert: Karla K. - 9/21/2009

Question
Can people who have had a gastric bypass develope acid stomach 8 years after surgery?  I talk prilosec and it makes it go away.

Answer
Hi Jody:

In general, anybody can develop GERD/acid reflux.  While a Roux-en-Y often helps people who have GERD, the fact that you've had a gastric bypass, does not make you immune from developing it.  It's possible that the way your pouch has evolved over the past eight years could have contributed to this.  It could also be related to pouch packing (constantly overeating beyond your pouch's capacity).  Still, it could have simply developed and have nothing to do with your RNY.

It's great that OTC Priolosec is helping your symptoms, but you really should see a gastroenterologist to check things out.  S/he may want to do a barium swallow or an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) to take a look at your esophagus and pouch.  (It's not a painful test at all--basically you're sedated while a small tube with a camera is inserted down your throat.)  Prolonged GERD can damage your esophagus, so you owe it to yourself to make sure everything is O.K. and that you're on the right medication for your disease.  GERD can lead to Barrett's esophagus... which is a precursor to cancer.

Hope this helps and I hope you feel better.

Kind Regards,
Karla