Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

EGD results, Barrett's esophagus diagnosis



Recommended Posts

Hi all,

Does anyone know if you can have sleeve surgery if you also have Barrett's esophagus? Just got the results from the gastrologist...was too shocked to think of asking her when she was on the phone with me and now her office is closed.

Edited by VickiCat

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, none of us can give you medical advice here. I can tell you that my surgeon will not do sleeve gastrectomy on a patient with Barrett's, and if you Google it you will see that seems to be a pretty common approach. My surgeon recommends bypass for patients with Barrett's. I know a few in my support group who had bypass when they had initially wanted the sleeve, due to a diagnosis of Barrett's. They are both doing great! No complications, look very healthy and are losing weight quickly.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you Bufllehead....

I do not want the bypass....I am bummed.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Two of my friends had bypass, and both have lost over 100 pounds and have kpt the weight off. One of them is actually featured on a huge billboard as advertising for her surgeon. Please don't be bummed. You have a viable option :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you Projectme

The reason I don't want the RNY is I'm afraid of "dumping".

I took care of my father-in-law (bedridden) who had diarrhea all the time (most of his stomach had to be removed because of ulcers)...my elderly mother suffers from it quite often (sometimes we have to turn around and come home from shopping)....I could not stand it if I have that problem. It scares the crap out of me. (pun intended)

I know nothing about the RNY except you can suffer from "dumping" and malabsorption......

To top off my day I just got fitted for a stupid cpap machine.........I think I'm going to cry. If i drank I would tie one on tonight.

Edited by VickiCat

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Don't worry about the cpap. I have never actually slept any good length of time with mine, because I am a ridiculously finicky sleeper. I turned it on every night, tried to use it, and end up pulling it off. I was cleared because i made the effort. I was able to sleep with it on after surgery though..I assume due to the meds I was given. :)

My surgical center is awesome. The nurses, docs, anesthesiologist. They took phenominal care of me. There was 1 other woman there, so I nevet waited for help, or for my meds.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi all,

Does anyone know if you can have sleeve surgery if you also have Barrett's esophagus? Just got the results from the gastrologist...was to shocked to think of asking her when she was on the phone with me and now her office is closed.

I think that you need to get the Barrett's esophagus treated first. Please don't let the gastro or any other doctor tell you to do a "wait and see" approach with the Barrett's - which would be yearly endoscopies, biopsies, etc.. This approach does not address the Barrett's. They have made a lot of advances with removing the Barrett's with laser or other methods. Please do some research on this. While only a small number of people with Barrett's esophagus get esophageal cancer, I can tell you from personal experience that esophageal cancer is very, very difficult to treat with a poor prognosis.

My husband died 9 years ago at age 56 of esophageal cancer after having Barrett's esophagus for many years and getting yearly scopes. They always did a biopsy so when the cancer was caught it was caught very early and they removed his whole esophagus and pulled up his stomach to form a new one. They were optimistic - they said it was stage 1. Two years later he died.

I am not trying to scare you but don't let them tell you that only 1 or 2% of Barrett's turns into cancer. What if you are one of those where it does? What is the effective treatment? What is the prognosis?

It is rarer for women to get esophageal cancer. I understand that.

But if it were me I would find a doctor who would do whatever is necessary to get rid of the Barrett's portion of the esophagus by whatever means they are using these days and they have made a lot of progress in the 11 years since my husband was diagnosed.

Good luck to you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had the gastric band and wanted a revision to the sleeve, but I also found out I have Barrett's esophagus and my surgeon would not do the sleeve. The reason is the shape of the new stomach a sleeve is made into will cause acid reflux which leads to Barrett's esophagus. Gastric bypass is known to get rid of acid reflux in most patients. I was freaked out and saddened by this, but I knew I didn't want to not have any weight loss tool so I went with the gastric bypass. I have never regretted doing it and my recovery was much easier than when I had the the band surgery. I have never had acid reflux again. I have to have a scope yearly and acid reflux medicine once a day maybe forever. I have not once thrown up or had that stuck feeling either. I had the revision a year ago this coming up may. I have never had to run to the bathroom for bowel problems. I have dumped only once and that was on Carmel popcorn I got for Christmas. My symptom was bloated stomach , sweating, stomach and I had to lay down from being extremely tired. When I woke up an hour later all good, but I wont do that again. I love the bypass!!

Edited by tebowfan

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Information that's accurate should always trump uninformed fear.

It really should.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×