I have a surgery date!

BMWwife

I know I am the worlds worse blogger. I am planning on updating my blog after I post this. My gastric by pass is scheduled for January 16th and I am expected to be out of work 3-4 weeks. As an initial scare and shock I am really excited about the surgery.

As it turns out being worked up for this surgery may have saved my life. I have never had any symptoms of gastric reflux, but apparently I have pretty bad reflux. So much so that I know have what is known as Barrett's Esophagus. Which is a changing int he lining of the esophagus that is per-cancerous. My surgeon said I was lucky that the EGD I had done in November caught it so early. She said that in most people who experience no symptoms it can progress to cancer without any warning. I will have to have yearly EGD's to keep an eye on it. At first I thought she was going to tell me I couldn't have the surgery, but gastric bypass is actually suggested b/c it cures acid reflux. Since it was caught early and the bypass will stop the reflux my chances of it turning into cancer are slim.

cschissell

That's great that you have a surgery date and that the EGD was caught early! 

*city bride*

So happy they caught it early and the treatment can happen because you don't have many complications yet.

karebear304

Good luck with your surgery. A girl I know here in Knoxville just lost 101 lbs from that surgery. She looks & feels great so I have nothing but high hopes for you!

MarylandWed

oh wow i know exactly what that is! i always worried about that because the doctors thought for 20 yrs i had acid reflux and i have had to have a few upper endoscopy's. now i think it was my gallbladder that whole time because i haven't had the pain since. but wow - that must be so scary!! did they tell you things you can do to prevent acid reflux (besides the GB because obviously it will be awhile for the weight to come off)? the diet for gastric bypass will help somewhat since you have to eat small meals... also never eat before bed and you may want to get a wedge pillow to elevate your upper body (must be upper body, not just head). yikes, that's scary!!

BMWwife

MarylandWed:

oh wow i know exactly what that is! i always worried about that because the doctors thought for 20 yrs i had acid reflux and i have had to have a few upper endoscopy's. now i think it was my gallbladder that whole time because i haven't had the pain since. but wow - that must be so scary!! did they tell you things you can do to prevent acid reflux (besides the GB because obviously it will be awhile for the weight to come off)? the diet for gastric bypass will help somewhat since you have to eat small meals... also never eat before bed and you may want to get a wedge pillow to elevate your upper body (must be upper body, not just head). yikes, that's scary!!

Thanks for the tips! The GB will actually immediately cure the reflux because the part of the stomach that produces the acid will no longer be attached to my esophagus. So hopefully this will stop the progression of the Barrett's but nothing makes it go away.

RGVStar

OMG!! Good luck with your surgery!!! Best best best wishes!!!!!

shmoozer

Yay! This surgery was the best thing my mom ever did.  So excited for you!

AKBrideinMD

Yay, good luck!

MadameD517

Wow, glad they caught the reflux! I can't believe you don't have any symptoms!

MarylandWed

BMWwife:

MarylandWed:

oh wow i know exactly what that is! i always worried about that because the doctors thought for 20 yrs i had acid reflux and i have had to have a few upper endoscopy's. now i think it was my gallbladder that whole time because i haven't had the pain since. but wow - that must be so scary!! did they tell you things you can do to prevent acid reflux (besides the GB because obviously it will be awhile for the weight to come off)? the diet for gastric bypass will help somewhat since you have to eat small meals... also never eat before bed and you may want to get a wedge pillow to elevate your upper body (must be upper body, not just head). yikes, that's scary!!

Thanks for the tips! The GB will actually immediately cure the reflux because the part of the stomach that produces the acid will no longer be attached to my esophagus. So hopefully this will stop the progression of the Barrett's but nothing makes it go away.

oh wow that's interesting! i didn't know that. like madame i can't believe you didn't have any symptoms!

D&J_052408

So excited you have your surgery date!  My BF just had her year anniversary since her bypass.  She's doing so well with it and I hope you do as well!

So glad they caught your reflux!