Still undecided after all these years...

Hello All,

I'm writing for support and possibly advice from people in similar situations.  I had a stomach stapling procedure in 1982 when I was 17.  No counseling, pre or post.  They just sort of cut me loose and I knew none of the stuff people today know.

I lost 135 pounds in a year and had a great deal of loose skin, so followed with the abdominoplasty (the one that goes all the way around?), and 10 years ago I had a brachioplasty even though I had long ago gained all of the weight back.  I still have a great deal of restriction with certain foods but I can eat most things like I have a normal stomach  Like others have said, I have made a habit of eating the soft foods over the years, which is partly the reason for the weight gain.

I am now 50 years old, 250 pounds.  I have severe and uncontrolled asthma that is exacerbated (possibly even caused) by perpetual micro aspiration caused by severe GERD.  The aspirating has often lead to pneumonia and hospitalization.  I also have a mild LVDD.  GERD with hiatal hernia is so bad that I am bent over in pain if i miss a day of Nexium for any reason.  I am a generally optimistic person, but my health is seriously bad and it is having a negative impact on my career and my life. 

I have visited two bariatric surgeons and they are both non-committal.  They aren't really in the business of my type of revision it seems.  I would be so thrilled to find a surgeon who could understand what is going on with me and advise me.  I am not certain that I want to go through surgery again and I don't think I want to have my intestines moved around.  For some reason, I just feel in my gut that that would not be the right thing for me at this stage in my life.  

Ideally, I would not want to have any surgery.  I want to figure this out on my own,  but I know better.  I am interested in a vertical or a lapland. But only if it can give me relief from my current illnesses.  Does anyone relate and/or know a Dr. i the Washington Metro area who would be a good fit for me?

I seriously cant understand why you worry about having your guts rearranged buy you apparently aren't that concerned about aspirating acid and possibly dying from that or developing Barrets esophagus which is  cancer of the esophagus. 

Consider getting your hiatal hernia repaired. In most cases, fixing the hernia cures the reflux.

Do NOT even think about getting a LapBand. It's notorious for CAUSING reflux. Also, if you go with the VSG/Sleeve, you need to discuss your GERD with the surgeon. It's been my observation over the years that tiny little Sleeves promote reflux.

Before my DS back in '03, I had terrible reflux. Most nights I slept sitting up because of it. After my DS, I've had ZERO reflux---but I have a Sleeve on the larger side.

I suggest you consult with one of the great revision specialists, like Rabkin or Keshishian. Both are located in CA, but I know that Keshishian will do phone consults if you can send him your X-rays/other diagnostic results.