Problems with Esophagus

[Pamela R. 0]

Hello, I just joined this group about 15 minutes ago! Hoping I can find an answer to my questions. Seems I have some problems with my esophagus. Flap doesn't close properly, have acid reflux, esophagus has slowed down in moving food to the stomach, sliding Hiatal hernia, chest pain (so bad last July sent me to hospital for 5 days, they insisted it was a heart attack, was not!) I am still pre-op and am going through two more tests in 2 weeks. All the reading I have done shows that these can be repaired at the same time as surgery (from surgeon himself) but after these two upcoming tests, if they find anything else to be concerned about, will this cancel my surgery all together? My second group class is tomorrow morning and I know I won't get a straight answer since it is the nutritionists and psychologists. I just want to know what I may be facing. After I was put on hold after the "heart attack" last July until released by cardiologist on December 26th. I really don't want to go into a holding place again, and this is my biggest fear. Has anyone had a problem like this with their esophagus? I would love to hear from you. Thaks

[mcfluffington 179]

HI Pam,

I had ulcers in my esophagus and that postponed my surgery till the ulcers were gone.

I also had the hiatal hernia and the awful GERD and that was taken care of during surgery.

I can't be sure but It doesn't sound like you need worry about anymore cancellations.

Good Luck!

[S@ssen@ch 745]

7 hours ago, Pamela R. said:

Flap doesn't close properly, have acid reflux, esophagus has slowed down in moving food to the stomach, sliding Hiatal hernia

Well, take this for what it's worth...

• "flap doesn't close properly" is called an incompetent lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
• "slowed down moving food" is called low esophageal motility

I would think a surgeon contemplating gastric sleeve would consider these 2 conditions a possible contraindication for the sleeve gastrectomy. Reason being: if you have an incompetent LES then gastric juices can easily come up into your esophagus (reflux). If you have low esophageal motility, that slows any food down and compounds the issue with the LES. It can also be quite uncomfortable.

The hiatal hernia, sliding or not, can easily be repaired during the surgery. I'm sure it's causing you some discomfort and making the other conditions rather miserable...hence the chest pain.

Sleeve gastrectomy patients are at a higher risk for GERD anyway. I would STRONGLY encourage you to discuss your medical history and ask about your personal risk for intractable postoperative GERD with your surgeon before you move forward with sleeve gastrectomy.

[AZhiker 2,253]

My hiatal hernia was repaired at the same time as bypass. My endoscope before surgery showed a Barretts polyp that had to be removed and doc made me wait a month before surgery so that it was healed. Endo several months after surgery showed all esophageal issues resolved. No more esophagitis or any sign of Barrets! And no more GERD!

[elcee 3,342]

The motility issue should impact on the type of surgery you have. An RNY is probably a better option than a sleeve.

How bad is the problem? If it’s really bad you may need further treatment