anyone have laparoscopic fundoplication surgery for GERD?

[Linda196]

Babs, if the drug that started with R is Ranitidine, it's not a PPI. Although it has essentially the same effect, it's a histamine H 2-receptor antagonist that inhibits stomach acid production. It seems that the most notable difference is that PPIs contribute to healing, while anti-H2s treat symptoms but don't have as much of a healing effect.

Many of the long term possible side effects of PPIs (like osteoporosis) are also possibilities with anti-H2s, because of the potential for altered absorption of calcium and/or Vitamin D.