Dr C, another question for you

Dr C, I was told that I was going to have corrective surgery on Thursday, and then this afternoon my surgeon called, and said that they were going to try something else instead of surgery. The gastoenterology doctors are going to do another balloon dilation, inject steriods first, and then insert a stint in the opening that keeps closing. It will be my 10th dilation. Have you ever heard of a stint being used for the type of problem that I am having with the opening closing up? Will the stint stay there? Is this a permanent thing, or just short term? My surgeon said that he does not want to do surgery except as a last resort, so he wants to try this first. What are your thoughts on this? I am confused, because he sent me to another surgeon for a second opinion, and that surgeon said that I needed surgery. Now he is not following the opinion that he has me seek. I think that he does not know what to do with me. I dearly love the surgeon, but if he is nervous about this then it makes me nervous too!!!! Thanks, Lois

Lois, A stent is something probably worth trying - even if it's not a permanent fix, it may buy you a significant amount of time to get feeling better and stronger so that your surgery will be easier. Dr. C