Damaged Esophagus - Need your Help !

[nowornever14 36]

Hi Everyone,

I am supposed to get my lapband replaced by a sleeve.

During my Barium swallow my fear had been confirmed that through my lapband my esophagus was damaged and I am suffering from Achalasia which results from a malfunction of the nerves controlling the rhythmic contractions of the esophagus. My esophagus muscles do not function as they should to transport the food down through the spinster into the stomach. They just fire off completely uncoordinated which results in food getting stuck in my esophagus.

SO my question to all of you. Is there anybody out there who suffers from this too and still got a sleeve and if so what is your experience. I want to be prepared when I see my surgeon and need to get as much information as possible to make a proper decision.

Thanks to you all!

[thesuse2000 698]

I don't have any personal or professional knowledge about this, but I can tell you that I was a band to sleeve conversion... I had a dilated esophagus and reflux that started with the band and continued even after being unfilled. I was concerned that the sleeve wouldn't work for me because of these issues, but my surgeon assured me that it would be fine. I'm only a few days out, so can't really report on the issue yet, but my understanding generally is that the sleeve does not put the same stress on the esophagus that the band does. Your surgeon is the one who will know what's best for you. I wish you the best!

[lsereno 2,525]

I don't have advice because I'm not a conversion. but there is a specific forum for band to sleeve conversions. I would ask your question there too.

http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/394-band-to-gastric-sleeve-revisions/

Lynda

[nowornever14 36]

Thanks for your comment but my problem is not GERD. I do trust my surgeon but I am not the type of person to leave the decision making in the hands of any doctor. That is why I am looking for people who suffer from the same damage and have experienced the outcome in relation to the LSG. I need to go by what I have learned and what my gut tells me ( this time in the sense of the word

By the way did you have a hernia ? And if so was is repaired during the sleeve surgery?

[nowornever14 36]

Thanks Isereno