AlabamaChick

Oh Janie, I am SO worried about you! I wish I had some words of wisdom for you honey, but I just don't. I deal with my own problem of eating solids, but when it comes to losing your stomach completely that scares the bejezzus outta me! I sorta feel I am with you though just with me working in the medical field.......you ALWAYS try conservative treatment FIRST and exhaust all measures unless it's something you KNOW will not be dealt with unless surgically handled. My question is this......if we have dumping from drinking with our meals because our food goes into the intestines prematurely, then how are they gonna keep you from dumping with your food going straight from your esophagus into your intestines? Where will your food sit to be broken down????? How will you not have a higher chance for bowel obstruction from undigested food? I just think I'd have ALOT of questions about this procedure. What are the pros and cons? What are the risks and benefits of this surgery? I'd wanna know it ALL. I wish I could help you girl!

__________________
Trina


Lap RNY 06/07/06
357/197 /170
Pre-Op/Current/Goal
Century Club - Nov 7, 2006
I MADE IT!!!! ONEDERLAND FEELS SOOOO GOOD! - March 15, 2008

160 lbs GONE!!


Officially: AlabamaSlammerBear

LQQkn

Thanks so so much for your post. I wanted to update the thread anyway because after doing a bunch of research today here is what I found for me.
And I say research because I'm a flippin research project here and I gotta figure it out cuz the doctors are going to kill me if I don't. Well the questions you mention about dumping.. yes that's my biggest concern is will I aggravate my already delicate system as it is.. will I end up not being able to eat and have a feeding tube (you have one when they do this surgery) Will I be able to eat enough to function.. etc. None of these questions can be answered with a definate anything. Pro's are it stops the acid completely. Stops the erosion of my esophogus and stomach. Allows me to function without constant stomach aches, and nausea. But not sure about that for sure if I can't eat and have dumping from having the surgery. Again too many variables. So with that said and my freaking out is going to end now, I've made my choice and I know I had the burning under control prior to having the heartburn study. I know I had to be off my meds for ten days to have it done, and it will probably take that much time to have my nexium kick in again and stop the burning that is happening now. So I am not going to make a surgical decision based on feeling bad right now because my heartburn is out of control. When I can probably medicate it right if I work at finding the right combination of meds. I would rather like you said take conservative measures first, then surgical ones last. I can have my stomach removed now, six months from now, ten yrs etc. I don't have to have it done now.. and I'm glad I got the right information about the reversal as well. Thanks for all who posted, helped, big hugs. Janie

Beeotch

My only advice is get a second opinion and even third if you have too. This is your health you are talking about. This doctor is not the end all and be all of surgeons. I mean maybe other doctors have other procedures they have done that would help or something like it. I am just saying you get estimates when you fix your car and your house why not your health.

__________________
Chance

Lap Band 03/2004
Dr Brunson
Revision to Lap RYN
Surgery date 07/23/07 Dr Mueller
Pre/Current/Goal
252/159/130
http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt...atz/weight.png



Finally made it to Onederland
more then half way to goal..woohoo
7 lbs til Century Club and counting......

Baron Patrick

Hi Janie;

The link is to a news story of a family who made the decision to have their stomachs removed because they found they are at very high risk (hereditary) for stomach cancer.

The story gives a little insight on how people can live without their stomach. You may want to contact them or the hospital where some of the procedures were performed.

Please don't think I'm trying to convince you to have this done. I just want to help you with research on the subject. If you can handle your GERD with medications that's great!

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/...cer/index.html

__________________
Baron Patrick

It Ain't Over Till I Say It's Over-And I Won!
___________________________
Top / Pre / Current / My Goal
280 / 263 / 190 / 180


LAP RNY 5/29/07
TT Gym Rat Club Member #19

LQQkn

Thanks for your reply, I missed it somehow, and I'm sorry for the lag in response. I did research and found these people, and what I found is that they or we can live without stomachs, just what cost. The complications that I could have following that surgery are huge because of the way I am since having GBS. I could have chronic dumping, feeding tube for life, doctor assures me I won't be any different than I am now. BS!! I know you are not trying to convince me to have it done.. I appreciate all who helped in getting me information and support.. means a lot to me! I am taking double meds now for the burning, and I would say I'm about 90% contained.. won't know for sure until I go off my medication for the nausea, and vomiting, and eating.
I am not going to have a stomach removal until I'm dying from gerd.. or sick in bed like I was but no relief etc. take care, Janie

paige52

I'm more sorry than I can say that I'm only finding this thread and I haven't responded yet! But I'm here now and my advice is this....

2nd, 3rd, 4th opinion with not only GI docs but several GBS surgeons as well. I've talked to at least 6 GBS surgeons that have done reversals...all successfully... there were some minor tweaks but overall the paitents quailty of life improved dramatically.

Not to say I'm voting for reversal... I'm just saying one GI docs opinion on this does not an answer make!

My heart goes out to you because you are in a place making decisions we shouldn't have to make and it sucks... just sucks. However.... you are a strong woman, you have intelligence and you will find the right answer for you.

Sometimes life is a crap shoot and we roll the dice and take our chances. You and I... Trina and Van we all rolled the dice and it didn't exactly come up 7's!?! But we are here and we are fighting.

One of the observations I made during my Upper GI yesterday is that everythign still goes right through my pouch, it doesn't sit in there at all. That's part of what worries my new doctor... who by the way is awesome. She is candid, funny, assertive in finding cause. Honest even when I didn't want to hear it and compassionate on the same score.

I live next to UC Davis Hospital, one of the top in the country... come on by! I have an empty 2 bedroom apartment downstairs you can stay a few weeks and see some specialist. I know most of us on this borad have an open door policy and it might feel wierd to take someone up on it but Sistah... I'm serious. I'll take care of you, there's a car to drive, privacy for both of us... think about it. Hell I even have a free round trip coupon for Southwest, I'll pony up to the table if you need it.

Interesting about the article link Pat provided... one of the guys is a real estate broker here in my town... I'd love to find his name and chat with him.

I'm sending you the only thing I can right now... hugs and compassion and prayers that you will continue to have the strength to make today a good one.

Smoochies

__________________

213/110/130 Preop/Current/Goal

Open RNY 9/26/06 Height 5' 4"

LQQkn

wow paige, thank you so much really from the bottom of my heart! I have done all that crap..been to 3 GI docs, the thing that scares me the most is that I've got three doctors, and all three have different ideas about how to fix me, and none are on the same page. All my research tells me to do nothing, and wait and see. They claim I will develop problems from the constant reflux, how long I don't know. There is only one remedy, and I don't need another expert to tell me it's remove my stomach. I'm done with the doctor merry go round. I need to live my life no matter what is left of it you know what I mean? If I get really sick, I will or might consider it to be done. Until then I'm going to try and take the wait and see, and pray a lot. I will keep your offer open though.. and thank you so much! Janie