RNY is only choice for me

[Jerry]

I was looking at the sleeve,then decided the DS was the best way to go.I have Barretts esophagus,so the doctor said my only option is the rny.I had an extra endoscope,but when the dr looked at it she said the rny was all she could do.Does that happen much?

 

[southernlady]

Welcome Jerry

I was looking at the sleeve,then decided the DS was the best way to go.I have Barretts esophagus,so the doctor said my only option is the rny.I had an extra endoscope,but when the dr looked at it she said the rny was all she could do.Does that happen much?

We’ve have one DSer who was diagnosed with Barrettes esophagus prior to his DS. He‘s done very well. So it’s not impossible but it is uncommon.

 

[hilary1617]

Hi and welcome Jerry ! It probably would be best to get a consultation with one of the true DS experts who are both very experienced with the DS and with patients who have other conditions. Specifically, it would be worth a visit to like Dr. Keshishian in California.

 

[Jerry]

Welcome Jerry

We’ve have one DSer who was diagnosed with Barrettes esophagus prior to his DS. He‘s done very well. So it’s not impossible but it is uncommon.

thanks,good to hear

 

[JackieOnLine]

Hi, Jerry, and welcome. I hope you can get the surgery you need.

 

[Jerry]

Hi, Jerry, and welcome. I hope you can get the surgery you need.

I will do my best

 

[Sheanie]

Does your doctor even perform DS?

Trust, but verify.

And fight for the correct surgery.

 

[Larra]

I would strongly recommend that you get a second opinion from one of the experienced DS surgeons. I don't know where you are so I don't know who to recommend, but I do know that surgeons with limited (or no) experience with the DS are not going to recommend it, and will seek reasons to default to the operations they are comfortable with. You are the one who will live with this decision, so take the time and effort to get the best advice possible to make a well informed decision.

 

[southernlady]

The VSG part of DS increases the risk of GERD which exacerbates Barrett's esophagus

However, there is no guarantee that the RNY cures GERD. In fact, I’m aware of at least one RNYer who developed GERD after her surgery.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3968207/
It never claims it cures GERD, just resolve most cases.
Just as the DS never claimed to cure diabetes but has the highest resolution rate.

I think this is a case where a person has to decide which way to go.

I was told by my first surgeon to get the RNY because of my GERD, totally overlooking my requirement for lifetime NSAID use. He told me to just go on opioids. I fired him.

 

[Sheanie]

George, you know what increases GERD? Being obese. Internal pressure.

You know then, what reduces GERD? Losing weight.

The beauty of the DS is the flexibility of it. The sleeve can be made larger to accomodate the patient with GERD. The stomach can be made teensy tiny, as in my case, by a too-agressive surgeon, and NOT increase GERD. As in my case. Yup. I had GERD, but it disappeared post op.

For people with Barretts, doing nothing increases the cancer risk.

Its an individual choice. Obesity kills.

 

[Larra]

Georgepds the reason RNY helps most (not all) people with GERD is that the pouch is cut off from the part of the stomach that produces acid. Thus no acid can reflux up into the esophagus so, at least in theory, there should be no GERD.
Like you, I take the risk of esophageal cancer seriously. I still believe that a second opinion with an experienced DS surgeon is warranted. AS JackieOnLine pointed out, the size of the sleeve can be tailored to the needs of the patient. A more generous sleeve would be indicated for the OP if he does have a DS. In any event, there is no harm in getting a second opinion, which doesn't commit a patient to anything and is a good way to go into whatever operation well informed and confident of his decision.

 

[Spiky Bugger]

Then there’s some idiot here who developed GERD/Reflux from the freaking LapBand, because the band can really screw up the downhill traffic from mouth to stomach.

Luckily, she wised up and got the DS, but the esophageal damage and GERD did not go away.

 

[JackieOnLine]

AS @JackieOnLine pointed out, the size of the sleeve can be tailored to the needs of the patient.

it's good info, but credit goes to Sheanie

 

[Larra]

Sorry about that!

 

[Sheanie]

Yes, I am sure of this. Been living the DS over 10 years now. If I had Barretts, hands down I would not hesitate to get the DS. My GERD was cured immediately post op.

Stick around, experience is enlightening.