Second Opinion from another Doctor

[iHealthy 40]

Hi, I have appointments scheduled with two doctors to see what options I have, has anyone else ever done this?

[PatientEleventyBillion 851]

Yep. I had two second opinions. All pointed out the benefits of the sleeve. I gave them a week or two so I could do more research before committing to signing the papers, and see if this was the best option for me, because until this point I was settled on the RNY. They all agreed I could do a revision to bypass if I had any complications.

Given my age (34), and the fact that RNY was more complicated, along with my comorbidities being under control at the time, it didn't necessitate the increased risk of having the RNY done as a first step. So I took their advice and went VSG and don't regret it one bit.

I see absolutely nothing wrong with second opinions, I just don't buy into general statements, make sure your advice is tailored specifically to your situation, and I'd also advise research on the VSG.. like legitimate research from scientific journals rather than pro-surgery sites or profiteering surgeons.

Edited May 29, 2017 by PatientEleventyBillion

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

2nd and 3rd opinions are always great for anything.

[iHealthy 40]

Yep. I had two second opinions. All pointed out the benefits of the sleeve. I gave them a week or two so I could do more research before committing to signing the papers, and see if this was the best option for me, because until this point I was settled on the RNY. They all agreed I could do a revision to bypass if I had any complications.
Given my age (34), and the fact that RNY was more complicated, along with my comorbidities being under control at the time, it didn't necessitate the increased risk of having the RNY done as a first step. So I took their advice and went VSG and don't regret it one bit.
I see absolutely nothing wrong with second opinions, I just don't buy into general statements, make sure your advice is tailored specifically to your situation, and I'd also advise research on the VSG.. like legitimate research from scientific journals rather than pro-surgery sites or profiteering surgeons.

Great, thank you for getting back to me. I've had acid reflux my whole life and am really nervous that the sleeve will make it worse or that they will tell me I'm not a good candidate because of the acid reflux. I'm 33 and I am very nervous to take this step, but feel I need to for my health.

[PatientEleventyBillion 851]

14 hours ago, iHealthy said:

Great, thank you for getting back to me. I've had acid reflux my whole life and am really nervous that the sleeve will make it worse or that they will tell me I'm not a good candidate because of the acid reflux. I'm 33 and I am very nervous to take this step, but feel I need to for my health.

It really depends on what the causes of reflux are. For the vast majority it's diet related so that's why the surgery helps reflux for the majority who change up their diet. But then there are others who have reflux for other reasons where it gets less predictable. Generally people know if the cause is diet.

One of the big reasons I took the advice of my second opinions is that they concurred that if any low odds complications arose I could always revise to bypass.

Edited May 30, 2017 by PatientEleventyBillion

[mlbdl 86]

I wanted the bypass because of my reflux. Surgeon recommended the sleeve. He said I most likely had a hiatal hernia and he'd fix it during the surgery. He said I'd be on meds for about 6 months post op. He fixed it, and was on meds longer than 6 months due to my own nervousness. I occasionally have a flare up but it was definitely improved. I'm glad I did the sleeve instead of the bypass.

[PatientEleventyBillion 851]

6 hours ago, mlbdl said:

I wanted the bypass because of my reflux. Surgeon recommended the sleeve. He said I most likely had a hiatal hernia and he'd fix it during the surgery. He said I'd be on meds for about 6 months post op. He fixed it, and was on meds longer than 6 months due to my own nervousness. I occasionally have a flare up but it was definitely improved. I'm glad I did the sleeve instead of the bypass.

I think for us the real proof of success will be past the six month marker when we go off the PPI.

I met with my surgeon yesterday for my first follow-up (second one will be at six months) and he said he intends to keep me off all PPIs after the six month prescription of Pantoloc (pantoprazole) to see how my body does. I think it's clear given no reflux issues with the PPI that it's all up to me and my diet henceforth.