Got the results of my biopsies

[SleeveToBypass2023 2,637]

Just got the call from my GI specialist. I DO NOT have cancer!!! It seems what I have are 4 different types of polyps, all of which are pre cancerous. Nobody knows how I got them, what caused them, or if they will come back.

My gastritis and GERD are apparently caused by my sleeve itself. So the plan moving forward is to have 3-4 more upper GI endoscopies to remove every single polyp (that way they don't become cancer) and then I have to have a revision from sleeve to bypass. But the removal of the polyps is first, then the revision.

Don't really want a revision, but at this point, I'll do WHATEVER it takes to get all of this taken care of and finally start to feel better. SO SO glad it's not cancer!!!!!!!

[catwoman7 11,216]

a lot of people seem to be afraid of the bypass, but I went with it because I had GERD pre-surgery, and I didn't want to risk having it get worse (I know it doesn't always, but I didn't want to risk it). I wasn't afraid of it though - and at the time I had surgery the standalone sleeve was still fairly new, so I also didn't want to take the risk of it turning out to be "Lapband 2" (although at this point, it's been around long enough that we know it's not "Lapband 2", so that wouldn't be one of my concerns if I had to make the decision today). However, given my pre-surgery GERD, I still would have gone with the bypass if I had to make the choice again. Anyway, I love my bypass, and I'm glad I had it.

[SleeveToBypass2023 2,637]

13 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

a lot of people seem to be afraid of the bypass, but I went with it because I had GERD pre-surgery, and I didn't want to risk having it get worse (I know it doesn't always, but I didn't want to risk it). I wasn't afraid of it though - and at the time I had surgery the standalone sleeve was still fairly new, so I also didn't want to take the risk of it turning out to be "Lapband 2" (although at this point, it's been around long enough that we know it's not "Lapband 2", so that wouldn't be one of my concerns if I had to make the decision today). However, given my pre-surgery GERD, I still would have gone with the bypass if I had to make the choice again. Anyway, I love my bypass, and I'm glad I had it.

I never had GERD pre surgery. All of this is new and post sleeve surgery.

[St77 87]

Glad to hear you don't have cancer. Hopefully you'll have relief from GERD once you have the bypass.

[learn2cook 580]

I’m soooo glad for you that all those polyps and symptoms were negative for cancer! You’re so lucky to have such an efficient early warning system.

Like Catwoman I had GERD before surgery, so my options was to have bypass. It corrected the vast majority of GERD symptoms. I would opt for the surgery again if I were to do it all again. Nothing beats being able to sing again! The actual surgery isn’t scary, you literally sleep through it. Recovery time is similar to the sleeve, portion sizes and eating healthy is the same too. I’ve found medication work arounds by getting injections, sublingual supplements, heat pads, or inhalers. You’ll figure it out one day at a time. I’m just so happy for your body warning you ahead of time! Good news!

[SleeveToBypass2023 2,637]

1 hour ago, learn2cook said:

I’m soooo glad for you that all those polyps and symptoms were negative for cancer! You’re so lucky to have such an efficient early warning system.

Like Catwoman I had GERD before surgery, so my options was to have bypass. It corrected the vast majority of GERD symptoms. I would opt for the surgery again if I were to do it all again. Nothing beats being able to sing again! The actual surgery isn’t scary, you literally sleep through it. Recovery time is similar to the sleeve, portion sizes and eating healthy is the same too. I’ve found medication work arounds by getting injections, sublingual supplements, heat pads, or inhalers. You’ll figure it out one day at a time. I’m just so happy for your body warning you ahead of time! Good news!

My biggest worry is being able to take pills. My MS meds can't be opened or crushed, and I've read that you really can't take pills with the bypass. There's no option to switch out my MS meds. So that's why I didn't go with the bypass originally.

[St77 87]

2 minutes ago, SleeveDiva2022 said:

My biggest worry is being able to take pills. My MS meds can't be opened or crushed, and I've read that you really can't take pills with the bypass. There's no option to switch out my MS meds. So that's why I didn't go with the bypass originally.

I take a TON of meds to manage Migraines and seizures without any issues. None of them can be crushed or opened either and I have to take them, otherwise I'll end up with off tge charts migraines again.

[SuziDavis 546]

I'm so glad that you listened to your body and took care of this!!!

[catwoman7 11,216]

3 hours ago, SleeveDiva2022 said:

My biggest worry is being able to take pills. My MS meds can't be opened or crushed, and I've read that you really can't take pills with the bypass. There's no option to switch out my MS meds. So that's why I didn't go with the bypass originally.

that's mostly false. I have no problem taking pills and could take most as soon as I got home from the hospital. The only kind they usually switch us from are extended release versions, because they don't stay in our stomachs long enough for that (our pyloric valves are bypassed, so food moves through us as soon as it's small enough to go through the stoma). There are usually other options for extended release meds, though. Also some people also have to get their dosages adjusted on some meds because of the malabsorption factor, but that's pretty much it when it comes to pills. Your clinic may advise you to crush pills the first month or so after your surgery, but I never had to do that. Even if yours insists you do that, it's not a forever thing.

Edited January 27, 2023 by catwoman7

[SleeveToBypass2023 2,637]

1 hour ago, catwoman7 said:

that's mostly false. I have no problem taking pills and could take most as soon as I got home from the hospital. The only kind they usually switch us from are extended release versions, because they don't stay in our stomachs long enough for that (our pyloric valves are bypassed, so food moves through us as soon as it's small enough to go through the stoma). There are usually other options for extended release meds, though. Also some people also have to get their dosages adjusted on some meds because of the malabsorption factor, but that's pretty much it when it comes to pills. Your clinic may advise you to crush pills the first month or so after your surgery, but I never had to do that. Even if yours insists you do that, it's not a forever thing.

My MS medication is extended release. MS meds aren't interchangeable, so there's not 3 or 4 to choose from at each stage. I'm on the strongest oral medication there is. I don't have the option to switch it. That's what has me worried.

[SleeveToBypass2023 2,637]

My next endoscopy is set for February 17th. Glad this isn't dragging out. Let's get in, get out, and git'r'done...

[Jeanniebug 473]

7 hours ago, SleeveDiva2022 said:

Just got the call from my GI specialist. I DO NOT have cancer!!! It seems what I have are 4 different types of polyps, all of which are pre cancerous. Nobody knows how I got them, what caused them, or if they will come back.

My gastritis and GERD are apparently caused by my sleeve itself. So the plan moving forward is to have 3-4 more upper GI endoscopies to remove every single polyp (that way they don't become cancer) and then I have to have a revision from sleeve to bypass. But the removal of the polyps is first, then the revision.

Don't really want a revision, but at this point, I'll do WHATEVER it takes to get all of this taken care of and finally start to feel better. SO SO glad it's not cancer!!!!!!!

HALLELUYAH!!!

[The Greater Fool 2,039]

56 minutes ago, SleeveDiva2022 said:

My MS medication is extended release. MS meds aren't interchangeable, so there's not 3 or 4 to choose from at each stage. I'm on the strongest oral medication there is. I don't have the option to switch it. That's what has me worried.

There is very likely the same medication in a non-extended release form. Most time-release medications started as a non-time release version first.

Also, not all time-released medications are problematic. Your medical team will help you as a team to figure all this out.

Good luck,

Tek

[SpartanMaker 786]

8 hours ago, SleeveDiva2022 said:

SO SO glad it's not cancer!!!!!!!

That's awesome news!

I too have been dealing with something sort of similar, so I totally understand. Back in november, I noticed a mass in my neck. We did some biopsies, but they were inconclusive. I'm sitting here right now after just getting home from having the mass surgically removed. I unfortunately won't know for sure if the tumor was malignant or not until sometime next week.

It's really tough dealing with all the emotions, but probably hardest for me has just been the thought that I worked so hard and went through so much (e.g. WLS), to try to get healthy, only to discover it may all have been for nothing. Could really use all your thoughts and prayers as I fight through this and hopefully fully recover.

[SpartanMaker 786]

6 hours ago, SleeveDiva2022 said:

My biggest worry is being able to take pills. My MS meds can't be opened or crushed, and I've read that you really can't take pills with the bypass. There's no option to switch out my MS meds. So that's why I didn't go with the bypass originally.

I have no issues whatsoever taking pills. I'm 4 months in now and I can take a big pile at a time just fine. Hopefully it will be the same for you.