?So during my sleeve surgery 6/27/2019 my doctor found a small tumor. It was cancerous and very active. It did not show up on any pre op work, he was literally in the right place at the right time. These past few weeks on top of healing from surgery I have been seeing an oncologist. My doctors worked together with me and decided that going to a gastric bypass and bypassing the part of my pouch that is cancerous is safer than putting me on powerful cancer targeting medicine that I would have to take for the next 3 years, Gleevec. The oncologist told me that my case was about 1 in 1000. Normally people come to him with a huge tumor that is beginning to spread cancer and at that point they have a gastrectomy. My surgeon has also never experienced this where a tumor did not show up on preop but he is against messing with the sleeve at all and would just rather cut all that part out if that makes sense. He said he has seen where making the sleeve smaller leads to more complications vs doing a sleeve to bypass. I flat out asked him if I was being punked.

I have not had any major complications from my sleeve, I did have to go to the ER almost at the 6 week mark for sharp pains (turns out I ate tuna too fast). They did a barium swallow and everything looked great with the sleeve no leaks or anything.

I regretted my surgery in the first week and I am a little nervous about having surgery again but I’m also glad they found this. If I had chickened out before having the surgery or dropped out of my doctors program like I had done in the past, I would never have known about this tumor growing. I’m feeling a bit meh and blah about it all just thinking about the liquid diet I will have to do all over again ? but I’m also trying to remain positive. This site helps a lot so thank you all for your updates, the t.m.i. (Looking at you poop threads,we all need you) , the highs and lows etc. My surgery date is 9/5/2019.

Here is a diagram like what my doctor showed me at 1 week post op. The black is the positive margin aggressive cancer, the green is the tumor, the purple line separates what was removed. When they removed it they did not know how aggressive it was otherwise yes they would have done a bypass.

I love this place. We share real information and experiences. My first bariatric surgeon was a real "jerk." He lied and provided fear base healthcare; Like, "don't drink out of straws." I am so happy you all are doing well and receiving curing treatments.

So if you now get the bypass, won’t that still leave that positive margin in the part of your stomach that will then be inaccessible?

Not trying to worry you even more. Just trying to understand.

1 hour ago, Losingit2018 said:

So if you now get the bypass, won’t that still leave that positive margin in the part of your stomach that will then be inaccessible?

Not trying to worry you even more. Just trying to understand.

I would expect that they would not leave any remnant stomach behind for that very reason. That is how they would have done mine had I chosen to go the RNY route (it's actually a partial gastrectomy, which is one of the standard surgical treatments in these types of cases - where they don't need to go as far as a total gastrectomy.

ThreeOhThree - something to discuss with the surgeon is the prospect of bile reflux, which seems to be a not uncommon problem with gastrectomy patients with this type of configuration; the surgeon I worked with on this told me that he doesn't see any problem with that if he keeps the limb length above the anastomosis greater than X (IIRC it was 60 or 80 cm). There are a number of Facebook groups dedicated to gastrectomy patients, and that seemed to be a common issue - presumably, some surgeons in an effort to minimize the amount of weight lost kept that limb shorter to minimize the malabsorption; that shouldn't be a problem with you as you are here for weight loss, but something to look into and discuss with him.

I actually asked that question and yes it’s like what the above user described. That is what he explained to me but it sounds different from any gastric bypass diagram I have ever seen so I wasn’t sure.

Rick M- I will definitely call and ask that. Had pre op today and wish I had seen that question beforehand. Overall everyone is very optimistic that is refreshing.

20 hours ago, Losingit2018 said:

So if you now get the bypass, won’t that still leave that positive margin in the part of your stomach that will then be inaccessible?

Not trying to worry you even more. Just trying to understand.

I actually asked that question and yes it’s like what the above user described. That is what he explained to me but it sounds different from any gastric bypass diagram I have ever seen so I wasn’t sure.

Rick M- I will definitely call and ask that. Had pre op today and wish I had seen that question beforehand. Overall everyone is very optimistic that is refreshing.

You have a great medical team Sounds solid. Few happy options with cancer. Sending positivity your way

I gotcha now. Thank you for explaining. I wish the best for you! Like has been said, sounds like you have an awesome team!

Ive had my VSG for about 3 years now and lost 120lbs. It has changed my life and I love my sleeve But as with any WLS it is only a tool, and you have to maintain it. I have bounced back a few pounds, but have found that it is easier to lose weight with my sleeve than without it. Im hoping that the DCI that I just ordered will help me lose a few more pounds also

Have you decided which surgery you are going to get?

I'm confused by your post lol. She has had a sleeve and needs the bypass to remove the rest of the cancerous borders

Update: had my surgery yesterday I am currently at home. The rest of the mass or whatever was removed and I now have a gastric bypass. I was so scared this time around but thanks for al the kind words. I hope this thread can help someone else one day.

Update: had my surgery yesterday I am currently at home. The rest of the mass or whatever was removed and I now have a gastric bypass. I was so scared this time around but thanks for al the kind words. I hope this thread can help someone else one day.

Congratulations and I hope you are permanently healed from Cancer and everything else that ails you!!![emoji253][emoji253][emoji253][emoji253][emoji253]

So glad to hear you are doing well! Please keep us updated.

Sorry to hear about the tumor but I'm happy you did the surgery & found it. All the best and good luck[emoji173][emoji173][emoji173]

On 9/6/2019 at 11:23 AM, ThreeOhThree said:

Update: had my surgery yesterday I am currently at home. The rest of the mass or whatever was removed and I now have a gastric bypass. I was so scared this time around but thanks for al the kind words. I hope this thread can help someone else one day.

So glad you're home resting.