Barrett's Esophogas

[Writergirl 230]

I'm so distressed. Just got a call from the gastroenterologist's office. I had an endo a couple of weeks ago. They told me I have a hiatal hernia, which I figured was responsible for the reflux I get from time to time. But today they called and said I have Barrett's Exophogas and that they would recommend I have NO bariatric surgery. Called my surgeon's office, and they said I shouldn't have the sleeve with Barrett's, but that I should come in and discuss options with the surgeon. I swore I'd never have a gastric bypass. I MUST lose weight for my health. Not sure what to do next. Has anyone had any experience with this??? I just want to cry.

[Rootman 1,101]

WriterGirl, so sad to hear this. What are the options for treatment, or have you gotten this far? Certainly a PPI if you already aren't on one.

For those that don't know Barrett's esophagus a per-cancerous condition of the lower esophagus caused by constant exposure to stomach acid: https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Barrett%27s_Esophagus

[feedyoureye 3,087]

So sorry to hear this! Perhaps the endoscope for the WLS has caught it early... which is the good news...

[Writergirl 230]

Thanks, Rootman... I've just wanted to sit and cry at work all day. They don't seem too concerned about the Barrett's. More concerned about the combination of Barrett's and surgery.

[Rootman 1,101]

Thanks, Rootman... I've just wanted to sit and cry at work all day. They don't seem too concerned about the Barrett's. More concerned about the combination of Barrett's and surgery.

I can see their concerns, a sleeve might cause your GERD to get WORSE as a LOT of sleevers have excessive acid at least for a while. The VSG DOES remove a good portion of the pump material but what pumps are left and the resultant smaller capacity can often lead to too much acid for the small area to hold and it spills over into the esophagus. I wonder too if they're worried about having enough material to possibly do a fundoplication ( https://secure.wikim..._fundoplication ) should one be necessary, the sleeve would eliminate a lot of the stomach material with which to do this.

Stick with it, you'll know the answers soon enough and hopefully they include your WLS. I too had / have a have a hiatal hernia as well as a Schatzki ring ( https://secure.wikim...i/Schatzki_ring ). I was worried about getting the surgery. Fortunately neither proved serious enough to keep me from the VSG. The VSG even HELPED with the Shatzki ring in the fact that I now cannot eat enough to get hung up in the ring and therefore have not had ANY symptoms since the surgery and weight loss.

We all wish you well and hope to hear a good report and news soon.