In support to my decision to have mine removed, I had no damage prior to my surgery and since then I’m a stage away from Barrettes esophagus.

I just don’t want to be that girl to develop esophageal cancer as a result of being naive pretending the band did not bring me there.

I know the band was causing the damage despite originally being told that was not the case, as the doctor states in the slide and his video it’s practically common sense when you think about it.

I just hope it isn’t too late for me and I hope other people are made aware of this information so they too can rethink the risks.

As it is, everyone who had the surgery is at high risk for developing esophageal cancer.. I believe that is what further studies will show… we are the guinea pigs and further research will reveal the truth but at such a high price.

http://www.slideshare.net/DrRRMD/sleeveband-esophageal-cancer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sBRDaH2gJA

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/128812-my-lap-band-caused-esophageal-cancer/

I have an appointment to meet with GI specialist again once my band is removed, hopefully there hasn’t been much progression since my last visit with him.

More patients should know this and be made aware of this prior to having the surgery done. As I said, I would guess eventually these surgeries will no longer be an option.

any WLS can and does have complications

i suggest you post this on all WLS forums if you wish to

warm all people of complications/side effects.

wish you the best in your future.

I am trying to :\ I'm not saying everyone will get cancer but they should know what's going on... I have a family, kids and my conditioned started after my surgery and quickly worsened. I did not think to look into esophageal cancer prior to getting the surgery done... who the hell would've thought to do that?? However surgeons all over the world are reporting on the statistics and they are not good. I just want to try to warn everyone, awareness can save lives. Some people don't even feel symptoms, everyone who had the band and sleeve surgies should have an upper GI done. Esophageal cancer is usually detected by the time it's too late but if caught early enough something can be done. Barretts asophagus leads to cancer and GERD can lead to Barrets asophagus. It's basically acid causing damange which just continues to get worse... and both surgeries are causing the conditions to develop and worsen even while being treated for it... i don't know what to do, I wish I could reach out to every single person and make sure they know all the information... it could cost someone their life.. no one wants cancer

Please, help me share the info... copy my post or at least the links I included in it :\

If you have a hiatal hernia repair, the z line can appear irregular on endoscopy. This is an early Barrets indication, but a biopsy shòuld be done. I have an irregular z line, but my biopsy was negative for Barrets.

I don't know where you got this slide show, but this doesn't look like anything I've seen that looks legitimate.

Did you have a biopsy?

any and all WLS can and do have complications and some can live long lives with no issues what so ever (i hope that is me)…..but we all (who had WLS) signed paperwork (and hopefully read) the issues that can/could/does/doesnt happen…..its major surgery

just because something happens to who who

doesnt mean it will happen to know know

Edited March 13, 201412 yr by ☠carolinagirl☠

The slides and youtube video are from the same doctor but includes input from doctors performing both surgeries all over the world. You don't have to like the information I posted, I am just trying to share it. I certainly did not think I would be at risk of developing esophageal cancer when i was considering having the surgery done, most people probably dont.

If you don't have symptoms, you should at least be checked, that is most likely going to become part of the follow-up care post surgery because of the stakes.

I don't have cancer, I just have damage to my esophagus post surger and from the research I've done it's extremely common after having the surgery... the surgeries are causing acid damage and acid damage that continues to worsen can and does lead to esophageal cancer.

I'm only spreading awareness, i have no doubt this information will become more public

I wish you all the ver best

and yes I had a biopsy done, the GI specialist thought it was barretts but thankfully it's not... i'm at the stage just before it which is why i'm having my band removed, it's my decision and for me and my family i think the right one...

again, i wish you all the very best.

The doctor you cite does mini gastric bypass, an outdated and prone to failure procedure. Are you on the staff of this surgeon???

BTW, if you read posts from people who had mgb, you'll see many of them revise due to reflux.

Also, obese peeps are prone to reflux and hiatal hernias and come into the surgery with preexisting GERD. Their "Barrets" could have been there prior to surgery.

Interesting but I worry about the source of these findings. My husband is a cancer specialist and had no prob w me getting band

Edited March 13, 201412 yr by SpartanPrincess

I know this is an old thread but I just want to say that I may have Barretts. I was given an endoscopy yesterday and my esophagus was very "beat up". The reason I got the endoscopy was because I was going to revise to the sleeve. What the OP said is true; the band can lead to problems with the esophagus and mine is proof of it. I saw the picture and it looked pretty bad. I am on meds now and have to follow up with my gastroenterologist for a followup endoscopy once the swelling goes down (he removed all the Fluid from my band). And other than some acid reflux here and there, I didn't feel anything.

My advise is to make sure you go for your checkups to be sure there is nothing going on. I stupidly didn't go to the obesity doctor since 2010 and now I'm paying the price. I feel so foolish because if something happens to me, I will only have myself to blame for not followng up just because I felt fine.

Edited October 8, 201411 yr by Alfie