Barrett's Esophagus

[Wendydarling19 310]

So I had my pre-op EGD yesterday and my surgeon found what he thinks is the beginnings of Barrett's esophagus and a hiatal hernia from the band. He's going to schedule my band removal ASAP and then I have to see a GI doctor for another EGD to biopsy my esophagus. I've been told by other people that Dr's won't do VSG with Barrett's because it can cause more reflux and worsen the Barrett's. Has anyone gone through this? I'm at a loss, I'm scared to think bypass or staying overweight would be my only options.

[stacyrg2 350]

I developed severe reflux after my Sleeve (my acid level is more than 400% greater than normal). I had an endoscopy and biopsy this week checking for Barrett's. I have two areas of damage on my esophagus from the acid. At this time, I'm considering conversion to bypass to end my GERD. This is completely my opinion, so take it for what it's worth . . . knowing what I know now, if I had severe GERD or the beginnings of Barretts' esophagus I would stay far, far away from the sleeve. I didn't before my surgery and was one of the unlucky few who developed significant GERD post surgery. It's miserable and if I had Barrett's already I would be afraid that the sleeve would exacerbate the problem. Like I said, just my two cents. Hopefully your biopsy doesn't actually show Barrett's. Good luck!

[1959JimmyJames 61]

This is my case and my opinion. This is very serious and you should consider all options. I had heartburn symptoms going back 15 years. I had gained a lot of weight and my symptoms got worse. After about 5 years of eating tums everyday I finally gave in and started seeing a doctor. He sent me for an upper GI and they said I was stage 3 Barretts. The doctor suggested a lap band to help control weight. I agreed and insurance covered it. I have been on nexium 20 mg a day for the past 10 years. After much success with the band for 8 years I developed complications from the band. 10 years ago the sleeve wasn't perfected like it is now. We discussed a band to sleeve revision and I agreed and so did the insurance company. I have had the sleeve for 2 years now. It is so much better than the band but the acid problem is only controlled with nexium. I dont have more reflux since the surgeries. With nexium i feel nothing, only relief. Herbal remedies or diet do not work for me. I have to have an upper GI every 3 years to monitor the Barretts and they always do a biopsy and so far it is still stage 3 Barretts. I am aware of the risks with these drugs but nothing else works for me. I have blood work every 6 months and I am under a doctors care. That's just the way it is. This surgery is very serious. In my case the co-morbidity problems worked in my favor because the insurance board agreed with the doctors that there was a good chance the acid would be reduced because of a smaller stomach. That didn't work in my case. I still have the acid reflux pain if I stop taking the drug so I continue taking it. I think that I probably would have some kind of gastrointestinal cancer by now without the benefit of modern medicine. I would never tell anyone to get a lap band. Don't do it. A sleeve can't be reversed. Its forever. So it is a very serious decision. I am happy with the sleeve. My weight and bmi are in the normal healthy range. My blood pressure is normal and my lab work is good. They say that I am pretty healthy except for the problems already mentioned. I feel good. This is a lot to say in just one post. I haven't run across very many patients with Barretts.

[BarrySue 602]

I have Barrett's esophagus, and my reflux was so bad prior to the sleeve that I would wake up with vomit in my mouth quite often. It was especially frightening to me because my father developed throat cancer as a result of his untreated Barrett's syndrome. I was terrified of the reflux that so many people talk about, but in the 9 months since I've had the sleeve, NOTHING. I haven't needed acid reducers or any kind of OTC or meds to control it, and I haven't had a single incidence of reflux since. I can't tell you why, and it doesn't seem to be the norm, but I no longer have reflux with the sleeve (I did not receive any hiatal hernia repair or other alleviating procedures either).

[1959JimmyJames 61]

That's fantastic. Good for you. I hoped that that was going to be my result too but it wasn't. There is research that suggests the acid will be reduced because the part of the stomach that makes most of the acid is removed with the surgery.

[thinnerS 15]

I had the band for 4 years and severe reflex also indegestion. The doctor told me I should revise to sleeve I have 50 pounds to lose.

Today was my surgery date and I went in very worried that if I did the sleeve I would have more acid reflex and its unreversable procedure. This morning I backed out and removed my band only.

I refused to do the sleeve last minute. I don't know if I did the right thing but I was afraid of getting worse. Now I am hoping I can get back to normal from constant sore throat from the acid and dry mouth also white tongue all caused by my band.

Edited April 15, 2016 by thinnerS

[CowgirlJane 14,261]

I love my sleeve and don't have reflux since band was removed...but knowing the current research - people with GERD are not good sleeve candidates. Of course most will be fine, but odds favor you greatly by going bypass.

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