Sleeve or Bypass... help!

[Alexandro 6]

Hi, I have a VSG scheduled for December but I'm still in doubt if I should go for a bypass!

I'm 297lb -and 6.0 tall - BMI 39

I was sure about getting a VSG but my endoscopy exam has the following: light esophagitis / Barrett's Esophagus - GERD . To be honest I don't feel anything related to it but I read a lot of articles and comments that VSG is not good for who has reflux.

My doctor checked the exam and said would be ok proceed with VSG. I went to another doctor to get a second opinion, he saw my exame and right away said better get a bypass! Next week I will return to my doctor and talk again and might change to bypass.

What you guys think? Anyone had a similar experience?

[elcee 3,341]

Having 2 Drs with totally different opinions would be a concern. I would be asking both of them lots of questions to find out why they are recommending the 1 surgery over the other.

Personally I would avoid the VSG if you have any signs of reflux, whilst you may not feel the symptoms now the surgery is likely to exacerbate them. Do a search, there are plenty of stories here of people that have had to revise from VSG due to reflux. Do you really want to take the risk and possibly require a revision to RNY at a later date?

[Briswife15 890]

My surgeon won't do a sleeve on me because my barium swallow showed reflux and moderate dismobility. He said it was likely the reflux would get worse. I am on strong meds for GERD and still have reflux. So it is bypass for me. Good luck with whatever you choose.

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[Alexandro 6]

2 hours ago, elcee said:

Having 2 Drs with totally different opinions would be a concern. I would be asking both of them lots of questions to find out why they are recommending the 1 surgery over the other.

Personally I would avoid the VSG if you have any signs of reflux, whilst you may not feel the symptoms now the surgery is likely to exacerbate them. Do a search, there are plenty of stories here of people that have had to revise from VSG due to reflux. Do you really want to take the risk and possibly require a revision to RNY at a later date?

I did, it's a controversal subject..

I agree, I'm just a bit "scared" of rearrange intestine with bypass

Edited November 22, 2018 by Alexandro

[ummyasmin 1,603]

I did, it's a controversal subject..
I agree, I'm just a bit "scared" of rearrange intestine with bypass

Honestly, I do wonder if I've actually had a bypass coz life has got back to normal really quickly for me. I'm eating smaller portions but other than that the surgeon could have taken all my insides out and replaced them with straw stuffing and I wouldn't know!

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[elcee 3,341]

45 minutes ago, Alexandro said:

I did, it's a controversal subject..

I agree, I'm just a bit "scared" of rearrange intestine with bypass

All surgery is scary and there is a different way you could look at it. Yes they are rearranging your intestine but on the plus side everything is still there, they aren't chopping something off and throwing it away. It is even technically reversible ( although that would only be done under extreme circumstances)

[Hrsnjs 267]

My surgeon won't do a sleeve on me because my barium swallow showed reflux and moderate dismobility. He said it was likely the reflux would get worse. I am on strong meds for GERD and still have reflux. So it is bypass for me. Good luck with whatever you choose.

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I guess surgeons are just different. My swallow study also showed reflux. But I didn't even know...I never felt it. Once in a while, sure...but not more than a couple times per year. I opted for the sleeve because the intestinal re-routing also scared me. The doctor thought the sleeve would be fine. I took Prilosec after surgery for the first three weeks, then stopped and have not had any issues in the couple of weeks since. I guess I'm lucky. Some people have a terrible time with reflux and VSG.

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[bonvivant57 14]

Greetings,

If you have true, biopsy proven Barrett's esophagus I would be VERY concerned about having VSG. The risks of RNY with a good surgeon are similar to have your gallbladder removed.

Best of luck.

[NYJenn 1,463]

I had a bypass and I don’t regret a thing. The sleeve is too new for me, enough long term research.

[NurseNattie 4]

I never had reflux until I had the sleeve. I never ate a lot at one time prior to the sleeve. Didnt eat a lot after. Lost weight, gained it back. Had the RNY. Things are so different this time around.

[Crash2015 7]

I had a bandin 2006, removed in 2015 due to slippage and getting things stuck over and over and over and over again. Then kept developing gastritis and pancreatitis, now with reflux and GERD, nausea almost all the time. Had a CT scan a few weeks ago, showed umbilical, hiatal hernias and reflux, GERD damage. Waiting for endoscopy PH and Mobility tests results. Eating TUMS and pepto like they are going out of style, also taking omeperazole 40mg twice a day. Also took carafate which didn't help. Doc suggested if things don't get better to change over to a bypass.

From what I've researched, the bypass is the best way to get rid of the reflux/GERD, but I'm hearing about a lot of folks not being able to get their fluids in and problems eating.

Do your research, and good luck!!

Best,

Crash!

[Alexandro 6]

Thank you all, tomorrow I have scheduled a Esophageal motility study and Esophageal pH monitoring and according with the results my doctor and I will decide if sleeve or bypass, surgery scheduled for December 12th.

[Alexandro 6]

10 hours ago, Crash2015 said:

I had a bandin 2006, removed in 2015 due to slippage and getting things stuck over and over and over and over again. Then kept developing gastritis and pancreatitis, now with reflux and GERD, nausea almost all the time. Had a CT scan a few weeks ago, showed umbilical, hiatal hernias and reflux, GERD damage. Waiting for endoscopy PH and Mobility tests results. Eating TUMS and pepto like they are going out of style, also taking omeperazole 40mg twice a day. Also took carafate which didn't help. Doc suggested if things don't get better to change over to a bypass.

From what I've researched, the bypass is the best way to get rid of the reflux/GERD, but I'm hearing about a lot of folks not being able to get their fluids in and problems eating.

Do your research, and good luck!!

Best,

Crash!

Thanks, and how's your weight now? with sleeve you lost 20lb total?

[Susieclues 5]

Greetings,
If you have true, biopsy proven Barrett's esophagus I would be VERY concerned about having VSG. The risks of RNY with a good surgeon are similar to have your gallbladder removed.
Best of luck.

Totally agree

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[krash11 35]

I also never had reflux until i got the sleeve. Since then it's been terrible, in fact i have developed Barrett's. RNY surgery is tomorrow at 10.