Hi!

Long time reader, first time poster. After several years of researching, I finally decided it was time. I went to a highly regarded surgeon, I completed my six month mandatory (per insurance) wait. I met with the nut, I had my psych eval, I had blood work, EKG, etc. I even lost weight. Then, on my last visit with my surgeon, I happened to mention that I get heartburn every once in a while, nothing that can't be relieved with Tums. He asked about reflux, and I told him the only time it has ever happened, I was eight months pregnant and ate hot wings.

He decided he wanted me to have EGD, just to be safe. Wouldn't you know it came back as Barrett's Esophagus ( No dysplasia.) I am DEVASTATED. I have spent MONTHS reading and learning and preparing for the sleeve, and now it's all in jeopardy. My surgeon said since there is no dysplasia, that he would still sleeve me, but I needed to be aware that I may have to be converted to RNY down the line if the GERD gets worse. He also advised me that I was limiting my treatment options if I was to ever develop Esophageal cancer. After a long few days crying my eyes out and discussing with my partners- I decided to go ahead and just have the RNY. I figured I'll do the hard part now, ( longer recovery, etc) than do the sleeve, and have it hanging over my head that I may need to go back in for a revision each time I feel a tingle.

So happy to have found you!

Elle

Edited November 12, 20178 yr by FloridaElle

I feel like I just read my own story. I went through the exact same thing as you and I was so upset that I was advised not to get the sleeve because of Barretts esophagus. I did what was best for my health and decided to go with RNY so I wouldn't have to deal with any GERD issues. So on 7-27-17 I had my RNY and it was the best thing I ever did. Do your research on it, but it's not the end if the road for you, it's just the beginning

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Thanks @lauratro for your reply. It's nice to know someone gets it. My best friend not so helpfully said "Who cares how you get there? The outcome will be the same." She doesn't understand. I feel like I spent months planning a trip to Paris, had my daily itinerary planned out, knew which sights I was going to see, the hotels I was going to sleep in, the foods I was going to sample, etc. Then as I was boarding the plane, they said "Ya know what? We are actually going to take you to Rome. You'll still end up having a nice vacation, but you have to figure out what to see, where to sleep, etc."

I've never been a roll with the punches type. I am a control freak, and very type A. I KNOW it will all work out, it has to. Doing nothing is not an option for me.

Thanks [mention=300053]lauratro[/mention] for your reply. It's nice to know someone gets it. My best friend not so helpfully said "Who cares how you get there? The outcome will be the same." She doesn't understand. I feel like I spent months planning a trip to Paris, had my daily itinerary planned out, knew which sights I was going to see, the hotels I was going to sleep in, the foods I was going to sample, etc. Then as I was boarding the plane, they said "Ya know what? We are actually going to take you to Rome. You'll still end up having a nice vacation, but you have to figure out what to see, where to sleep, etc."
I've never been a roll with the punches type. I am a control freak, and very type A. I KNOW it will all work out, it has to. Doing nothing is not an option for me.

That's exactly what it feels like. I was the same way, I had everything planned out and was set on getting the sleeve too. But once I changed my mindset and started doing all of my RNY research, I started to get excited.

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3 hours ago, FloridaElle said:

Hi!

Long time reader, first time poster. After several years of researching, I finally decided it was time. I went to a highly regarded surgeon, I completed my six month mandatory (per insurance) wait. I met with the nut, I had my psych eval, I had blood work, EKG, etc. I even lost weight. Then, on my last visit with my surgeon, I happened to mention that I get heartburn every once in a while, nothing that can't be relieved with Tums. He asked about reflux, and I told him the only time it has ever happened, I was eight months pregnant and ate hot wings.

He decided he wanted me to have EGD, just to be safe. Wouldn't you know it came back as Barrett's Esophagus ( No dysplasia.) I am DEVASTATED. I have spent MONTHS reading and learning and preparing for the sleeve, and now it's all in jeopardy. My surgeon said since there is no dysplasia, that he would still sleeve me, but I needed to be aware that I may have to be converted to RNY down the line if the GERD gets worse. He also advised me that I was limiting my treatment options if I was to ever develop Esophageal cancer. After a long few days crying my eyes out and discussing with my partners- I decided to go ahead and just have the RNY. I figured I'll do the hard part now, ( longer recovery, etc) than do the sleeve, and have it hanging over my head that I may need to go back in for a revision each time I feel a tingle.

So happy to have found you!

Elle

The recovery is not necessarily longer for RNY. I've been told it is about the same but it really depends on the individual person. The RNY is a good way to go. The statistics favor RNY for long term success. Even though I really don't have GERD, I'm still doing the bypass because all of my doctors think it will work better for me.

1 hour ago, BlackCatMatt said:

The recovery is not necessarily longer for RNY. I've been told it is about the same but it really depends on the individual person. The RNY is a good way to go. The statistics favor RNY for long term success. Even though I really don't have GERD, I'm still doing the bypass because all of my doctors think it will work better for me.

Thanks, Matt! The more I'm reading, the more it sounds like it's not much different in terms of diet. Where in PA are you?

Just now, FloridaElle said:

Thanks, Matt! The more I'm reading, the more it sounds like it's not much different in terms of diet. Where in PA are you?

I'm in West Chester. I'm going through Penn Medicine's program.

Small world. My best friend lives in Downingtown and I used to live in Berwyn!

I had RNY 4 weeks ago and by week2 I was completely recovered and by week 3 eating pretty much anything.... so no big deal switching from sleeve to RNY, actually when I first I visited my surgeon he gave both options and when he laid out the pros and cons, I decided for RNY as the best option....