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

Got the results of my biopsies



Recommended Posts

Just got the call from my GI specialist. I DO NOT have cancer!!! It seems what I have are 4 different types of polyps, all of which are pre cancerous. Nobody knows how I got them, what caused them, or if they will come back.

My gastritis and GERD are apparently caused by my sleeve itself. So the plan moving forward is to have 3-4 more upper GI endoscopies to remove every single polyp (that way they don't become cancer) and then I have to have a revision from sleeve to bypass. But the removal of the polyps is first, then the revision.

Don't really want a revision, but at this point, I'll do WHATEVER it takes to get all of this taken care of and finally start to feel better. SO SO glad it's not cancer!!!!!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

a lot of people seem to be afraid of the bypass, but I went with it because I had GERD pre-surgery, and I didn't want to risk having it get worse (I know it doesn't always, but I didn't want to risk it). I wasn't afraid of it though - and at the time I had surgery the standalone sleeve was still fairly new, so I also didn't want to take the risk of it turning out to be "Lapband 2" (although at this point, it's been around long enough that we know it's not "Lapband 2", so that wouldn't be one of my concerns if I had to make the decision today). However, given my pre-surgery GERD, I still would have gone with the bypass if I had to make the choice again. Anyway, I love my bypass, and I'm glad I had it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

a lot of people seem to be afraid of the bypass, but I went with it because I had GERD pre-surgery, and I didn't want to risk having it get worse (I know it doesn't always, but I didn't want to risk it). I wasn't afraid of it though - and at the time I had surgery the standalone sleeve was still fairly new, so I also didn't want to take the risk of it turning out to be "Lapband 2" (although at this point, it's been around long enough that we know it's not "Lapband 2", so that wouldn't be one of my concerns if I had to make the decision today). However, given my pre-surgery GERD, I still would have gone with the bypass if I had to make the choice again. Anyway, I love my bypass, and I'm glad I had it.

I never had GERD pre surgery. All of this is new and post sleeve surgery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I’m soooo glad for you that all those polyps and symptoms were negative for cancer! You’re so lucky to have such an efficient early warning system.

Like Catwoman I had GERD before surgery, so my options was to have bypass. It corrected the vast majority of GERD symptoms. I would opt for the surgery again if I were to do it all again. Nothing beats being able to sing again! The actual surgery isn’t scary, you literally sleep through it. Recovery time is similar to the sleeve, portion sizes and eating healthy is the same too. I’ve found medication work arounds by getting injections, sublingual supplements, heat pads, or inhalers. You’ll figure it out one day at a time. I’m just so happy for your body warning you ahead of time! Good news!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, learn2cook said:

I’m soooo glad for you that all those polyps and symptoms were negative for cancer! You’re so lucky to have such an efficient early warning system.

Like Catwoman I had GERD before surgery, so my options was to have bypass. It corrected the vast majority of GERD symptoms. I would opt for the surgery again if I were to do it all again. Nothing beats being able to sing again! The actual surgery isn’t scary, you literally sleep through it. Recovery time is similar to the sleeve, portion sizes and eating healthy is the same too. I’ve found medication work arounds by getting injections, sublingual supplements, heat pads, or inhalers. You’ll figure it out one day at a time. I’m just so happy for your body warning you ahead of time! Good news!

My biggest worry is being able to take pills. My MS meds can't be opened or crushed, and I've read that you really can't take pills with the bypass. There's no option to switch out my MS meds. So that's why I didn't go with the bypass originally.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, SleeveDiva2022 said:

My biggest worry is being able to take pills. My MS meds can't be opened or crushed, and I've read that you really can't take pills with the bypass. There's no option to switch out my MS meds. So that's why I didn't go with the bypass originally.

I take a TON of meds to manage Migraines and seizures without any issues. None of them can be crushed or opened either and I have to take them, otherwise I'll end up with off tge charts migraines again.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm so glad that you listened to your body and took care of this!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, SleeveDiva2022 said:

My biggest worry is being able to take pills. My MS meds can't be opened or crushed, and I've read that you really can't take pills with the bypass. There's no option to switch out my MS meds. So that's why I didn't go with the bypass originally.

that's mostly false. I have no problem taking pills and could take most as soon as I got home from the hospital. The only kind they usually switch us from are extended release versions, because they don't stay in our stomachs long enough for that (our pyloric valves are bypassed, so food moves through us as soon as it's small enough to go through the stoma). There are usually other options for extended release meds, though. Also some people also have to get their dosages adjusted on some meds because of the malabsorption factor, but that's pretty much it when it comes to pills. Your clinic may advise you to crush pills the first month or so after your surgery, but I never had to do that. Even if yours insists you do that, it's not a forever thing.

Edited by catwoman7

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, catwoman7 said:

that's mostly false. I have no problem taking pills and could take most as soon as I got home from the hospital. The only kind they usually switch us from are extended release versions, because they don't stay in our stomachs long enough for that (our pyloric valves are bypassed, so food moves through us as soon as it's small enough to go through the stoma). There are usually other options for extended release meds, though. Also some people also have to get their dosages adjusted on some meds because of the malabsorption factor, but that's pretty much it when it comes to pills. Your clinic may advise you to crush pills the first month or so after your surgery, but I never had to do that. Even if yours insists you do that, it's not a forever thing.

My MS medication is extended release. MS meds aren't interchangeable, so there's not 3 or 4 to choose from at each stage. I'm on the strongest oral medication there is. I don't have the option to switch it. That's what has me worried.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My next endoscopy is set for February 17th. Glad this isn't dragging out. Let's get in, get out, and git'r'done...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, SleeveDiva2022 said:

Just got the call from my GI specialist. I DO NOT have cancer!!! It seems what I have are 4 different types of polyps, all of which are pre cancerous. Nobody knows how I got them, what caused them, or if they will come back.

My gastritis and GERD are apparently caused by my sleeve itself. So the plan moving forward is to have 3-4 more upper GI endoscopies to remove every single polyp (that way they don't become cancer) and then I have to have a revision from sleeve to bypass. But the removal of the polyps is first, then the revision.

Don't really want a revision, but at this point, I'll do WHATEVER it takes to get all of this taken care of and finally start to feel better. SO SO glad it's not cancer!!!!!!!

HALLELUYAH!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

56 minutes ago, SleeveDiva2022 said:

My MS medication is extended release. MS meds aren't interchangeable, so there's not 3 or 4 to choose from at each stage. I'm on the strongest oral medication there is. I don't have the option to switch it. That's what has me worried.

There is very likely the same medication in a non-extended release form. Most time-release medications started as a non-time release version first.

Also, not all time-released medications are problematic. Your medical team will help you as a team to figure all this out.

Good luck,

Tek

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, SleeveDiva2022 said:

SO SO glad it's not cancer!!!!!!!

That's awesome news!

I too have been dealing with something sort of similar, so I totally understand. Back in november, I noticed a mass in my neck. We did some biopsies, but they were inconclusive. I'm sitting here right now after just getting home from having the mass surgically removed. I unfortunately won't know for sure if the tumor was malignant or not until sometime next week.

It's really tough dealing with all the emotions, but probably hardest for me has just been the thought that I worked so hard and went through so much (e.g. WLS), to try to get healthy, only to discover it may all have been for nothing. Could really use all your thoughts and prayers as I fight through this and hopefully fully recover.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, SleeveDiva2022 said:

My biggest worry is being able to take pills. My MS meds can't be opened or crushed, and I've read that you really can't take pills with the bypass. There's no option to switch out my MS meds. So that's why I didn't go with the bypass originally.

I have no issues whatsoever taking pills. I'm 4 months in now and I can take a big pile at a time just fine. Hopefully it will be the same for you.

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

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 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

    ×