TexanGal

Hi y’all,

I had RNY on Aug. 1. It’s been what I expected so far. Love the weight loss the most. Ha. However, I still have very smelly gas, even hours after I eat. I’m taking a probiotic my surgeon recommended, which has helped some, but mainly the burbs I would get.

How do others deal with this embarrassing issue, especially now that I’m back at work? Luckily, I have a private office but still!

I have Barrett's too and am getting the RNY/GB to fix it. My gastroenterologist, PCP and surgeon all said it was the best way to cure Barrett's. My surgery date is Wednesday, Aug. 1 so I'm busy in the "getting ready to go" mode. More excited than nervous b/c I'm more scared of esophageal cancer. Wish me luck!

I have Barrett's Esophagus with dysplasia so I had an ablation of the pre-cancer cells in an EGD scope. My gastroenterologist and PCP and surgeon all said the best way to prevent it from recurring was with a partial gastrectomy (basically a RNY/GB). I also have a BMI in the lower 30s so only qualified for insurance b/c it was a way to prevent Barrett's and the risk of cancer. My surgery is on Wednesday (Aug. 1) and my surgeon is a bariatric surgeon. I also have a hiatal hernia, but it's smaller. They will repair that with my GB. Good luck!

Hello all,

I just had my pre-op appointment at the hospital so I've cleared the final hurdle! My RNY/GB is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 1, at 1:30 p.m. in the Houston area.

I'm excited and nervous but much more excited than nervous.

Can't wait to be on the loser's bench!

10 hours ago, damonlg said:

August 1st with one week pre op milk diet.

Aug. 1 is my date, too! Hi, Surgery Buddy. I'll be having it done in Houston area.

I just got my surgery scheduled, and it's for August 1 in the Houston area. I'm so excited... FINALLY! I originally had a May 30th date but it got postponed because I was diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus and had to get another EGD scope for ablation of pre-cancer cells. The GB will cure my acid reflux and now I've had three doctors agree (surgeon, gastroenterologist, PCP). My surgery was initially denied due to low BMI (34) but now it's a go because of the barrett's. I'm nervous but mostly excited to start a new life without yo-yo dieting and GERD! Can't wait to see who my surgery buddies are for AUG. 1.

5 hours ago, MarinaGirl said:

Background: I’ve had GERD for many many years, long time Prilosec user, and a family history of esophageal cancer.

I had MGB surgery in April 2017 and it resolved my acid reflux, but in Dec 2017 an EGD showed bile reflux, and then in April 2018 an EGD showed Barrett’s Esophagus and a hiatal hernia, which I never had before. Two different surgeons have recommended conversion to RNY to correct the reflux and to repair the hernia, so I will be having both of these procedures at the end of the month. I am also low normal BMI right now so I hope I don’t lose too much weight after surgery.

I’m looking forward to being free of all symptoms and resolution of pre-cancerous cells!

Good luck to you! But know that you are taking charge of your health to get rid of acid reflux!!!

3 minutes ago, jrmoseley said:

I know you posted this a while ago, but I was just browsing the lists and came across it, so I thought it's probably not too late to reply.

I was diagnosed with Barrett's in 2016, and at that time I was also told I had a large hiatal hernia. I was recovering from having my gallbladder removed and I felt like the warranty had just expired on my body. The surgeon said nothing was going to get better unless I had WLS--he was recommending sleeve.

Insurance company sent me to a different hospital in a different city, and that surgeon recommended RNY for all the reasons your surgeon said. I had the surgery in September of 2017, and I feel much, much better. After 2 months, I was able to stop taking the Prilosec and my high blood pressure meds. I haven't had a day of heartburn since. I still have to have a endoscopy done every 3 years, but that's minor compared to what the repercussions would be if I hadn't had the surgery. And I've lost 105 lbs!!

But a lot of people in my support group who had the sleeve done have just not had as good of results. So in the end, even though recovery and life after RNY is a little bit harder some days, I'm glad I had it done. I hope you've had your surgery by now and you're feeling better.

Thank you so much for your post! I loved reading about your experience. I had the ablation of my pre-cancer cells two weeks ago and my pre-op with my WLS surgeon on Friday. Now I’m just waiting for bypass to be scheduled. So I’ll be getting the RNY gastric bypass in a few weeks, fingers crossed! I’ve done a lot of research and spoken to several doctors, including my PCP and Gastroenterologost, and they all said the bypass was the best bet to cure GERD. And insurance approved it, even though I’m at 34 BMI. That alone says a lot, since they denied me for the sleeve even with comorbidities because I was too low a BMI.

17 hours ago, Frustr8 said:

tomorrow is your day TexasGal! Are you excited? I would be vibrating off the walls right now. What time is your surgery tomorrow? I always hate the way they always waited so,late in the day to notify you. I guess they are very busy, but I'm just as important as everybody else. Anyway UPDATE us when the surgery is over.😛

Unfortunately, my surgery was postponed. When I saw my surgeon for the pre op, she had biopsy results that showed I have Barrett's esophagus with dysplasia, which means pre-cancerous cells. So, I have to get the dysplasia treated (through another scope that zaps them) before I can have surgery. It will now probably be in 4-6 weeks. I was bummed but REALLY glad I got the diagnosis because it could lead to esophageal cancer. It also means I need the RNY gastric bypass instead of gastric sleeve because I have such bad (and now dangerous) acid reflux. It's good they do the scope before surgery!!! I'll let you know of my future surgery date. Thanks so much for caring, everyone! It means a lot.

3 minutes ago, AdiosAnnie300 said:

Sending you good thoughts as we are closing in on our big day!

Actually I found out today that I have to wait 4-6 more weeks because I have Barrett’s esophagus. Once that is cleared up, I’ll get bypass , which is best for Barrett’s. But I definitely will be thinking of all of my original May 30 surgery buddies and anxious to hear how it goes. Good vibes coming your way!!

Please post update afterwards!!!

Hello,

I was preparing for the gastric sleeve when my pre-op EGD scope showed I have Barrett's esophagus, with dysplasia (pre-cancerous). My WLS surgeon said I need to treat the Barrett's first and then strongly suggested I have the Gastric Bypass instead of the sleeve because of several reasons -- GERD is usually eliminated with bypass and worse with sleeve (acid is the cause of the Barrett's), and the stomach is left if needed for esophageal cancer surgery (worst case scenario, obviously).

My first priority is getting the Barrett's treated. Then, in four to six weeks, having the WLS surgery, which is recommended to also treat Barrett's (from an obesity perspective).

So, I'd like to hear if there are other WLS patients like me with Barrett's and what happened. I'm anxious for info!

I'm a bit in shock since I got the news today. But I consider it a blessing because if I hadn't gotten the scope, I could have had a much worse diagnosis later.

My May 30 surgery is now postponed, obviously.

On 5/17/2018 at 9:35 AM, SAU said:

Getting sleeved at Johns Hopkins...getting nervous...cold feet...
5’8” male
HW 272
CW 265
GW -Under 200
Haven’t been under 200 in 30 years..would appreciate any and all tips to get thru surgery, 1st week,1st month and what is life like a year or two out....started liver shrink yesterday......how hard is hydration ? What is social eating like after the fact down the road? Looking for any tips and positive comments....here we go.😳

I have a May 30 surgery date as well (but in Houston area), so I feel your nerves. But just think about how lucky you are to have this fantastic tool to finally help you lose weight FOREVER. As a yo-yo dieter for decades, I can't wait to get on the losing train and learn the right way to keep it off. I'll be sending you good thoughts on our shared date, but remember -- you are at one of the best hospitals in the world!

On 5/9/2018 at 7:29 PM, okayestmom said:

I just went through the thread and followed all the June surgery people. There were several from Texas like me and several teachers. In am not a teacher, but work with Communities In Schools which also follows the school schedule. My organization does not usually work summer school, but I do because I am in an alternative school that offers summer school. I won't be there this year because of my surgery :(. I am hoping we can encourage and keep each other accountable through this forum, and maybe us Texas folks can meet up next summer in a central location. Enchanted rock in Fredericksburg, the River Walk in San Antonio, 6th Street in Austin, or the trillion of places near Dallas where my daughter is. Heck, maybe we can walk a 5k together, just trying to be optimistic and be with some people that get it. I have attached this video before but I hope you guys enjoy my weight loss fish.

Weight Loss Surgery Puffer Fish.mp4

I'd be up for meeting for a 5k next year as well. I'd love to meet some fellow Texas sleevers. I'm in the Houston area. Getting sleeve done on May 30.

27 minutes ago, AdiosAnnie300 said:

My date is Monday, May 28 in Mexico. I am doing the Pre-Op diet now. Feeling nervous and excited.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

Hi everyone,

I'm getting my gastric sleeve on May 30 at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital. I'd love to have some surgery buddies... any out there? (I'm so excited but nervous as well! More excited than nervous though!) Ready to change my life!!!!

Hi there, Newbie here. Waiting for surgeon's office to schedule my surgery and pre-op appointment.

I'm reading "Ultimate Gastric Sleeve Success" by Dr. Duc. Vuong (highly rated book on Amazon) and he suggests asking your surgeon about their specific technique.

His guidelines:

1. Stay left of the left crus of the diaphragm to avoid esophageal leaks and injury.

2. Make a small fundal pouch for patient comfort and to avoid stretching.

3. Do not get too close to the incisura to avoid stricture.

4. Create the sleeve 6 centimeters from the pylorus to avoid dumping.

Did any of you ask your surgeons for such detail? His book makes an excellent case for each of the above guidelines, but I don't want to seem like a nutjob and appear like I'm second-guessing my surgeon's experience.

(Despite the very medically-focused questions above, his book is really helpful and easy to read.)

Hello,

I will soon be scheduled for the gastric sleeve (done all the prep work). However, my insurance won't cover me because my BMI is "only" 34 (5 feet 8, 225 pounds). So, I'm going to self-pay (total about $13,000).

But I"m scared that something will go wrong in the surgery and since it's not insured, I could be facing mountains of hospital bills.

Has anyone done self-pay and had something go wrong so they were charged a lot more?

I really appreciate any advice since I've found this forum to be a godsend on my WLS journey!