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I'm glad your GERD is more controllable now!
I do not have a dilated esophagus, according to several tests conducted by my surgeon. We'll see what happens with my GERD after revision... A Nissen fundoplication would not be applicable here, at all. There is not enough stomach to perform such a procedure. I do not have a hiatal hernia. Thank you for all your suggestions!
You are perfectly correct, my dear... and I have considered everything under the sun, including the LINX procedure at USC -- not applicable for my case as a VSG patient, either.
Oh my goodness! That sounds overwhelming just reading it, I can't imagine how you managed it all. I had my EDG 2 weeks ago. The results showed chronic gastritis, no Barrett's or hernia. My hernia was repaired when my band was placed. The surgeon said that even without any fluid in my band that it seems tight to him. I'm not really sure what will happen next. My follow up with him is next week and we'll see where I go from here.
So here is my update. Looks like my pouch and stoma did indeed stretch after my pregnancy :(. My insurance has accepted everything and my schedule is set for July 15. I have stared my pre-surgical pre-liquid diet at 3 weeks out. The procedure will be a reduction in my Stoma and pouch. I am excited and so ready.
As I understand it, you can't have a fundoplication after VSG because there's not enough stomach to wrap around the esophagus.
Sparklekitty / Julie / Nerdy Little Secret (#42)
Roller derby - cycling - triathlon
VSG 2013, RNY conversion 2019 due to GERD. Trendweight here!
on 6/24/19 2:56 pm, edited 6/24/19 7:57 am
I can't speak to what your second opinion surgeon said as I'm not a medical professional. My experience is as follows.
Liquid reduction in june 2017 for severe GERD.
esophageal manometry in June 2017
Liquid removal in Aug 2017
EGD in Aug 2017 to determine state of esophagus
Official diagnosis of moderate esophagitis, no Barret's
30lb weight gain with no restriction
Approval for band removal after results of studies
Band removed May 2018. 3 month wait required by surgeon
Severe stomach scarring from band. Low motility in esophageal sphincter
Prescribed PPI and Carafate to help with healing and reflux
Original revision approval expires (grrr)
Psych eval, appeal for approval
EGD + EGD Bravo study for a week with acid sensor
Barium and gas contrast study
VSG in Nov 2018 with hiatal hernia repair
on 6/24/19 2:31 pm
I had a revision from Lap Band to VSG with Blue Cross. Before approval, I had the following assays:
Esophageal manometry
Barium contrast study
EGD (endoscopy)
I had a diagnosis of GERD caused my reduced motility of my esophageal sphincter due to damage caused by my band... Well, caused by me overeating for 14 years so that the food pushed up against my lower esophagus.
My surgeon submitted the study results and a recommendation and I got approved for surgery. My appeal came when I went to get my revision and they said no because my first WLS was a "failure". My appeal included study evidence showing that my weight loss was average for lap band, 30% excess body weight, and that I had to get it removed for medical reasons. Eventually I was approved.
My surgeon made me weight a minimum of 3 months after band removal to get a sleeve surgery. I wound up waiting 6 (May-Nov) and used evidence that I didn't gain over that period as justification to support my eventually surgery approval. (my earlier approval had expired during the intervening months)
It's a long slog. They make you jump over many obstacles.
on 6/24/19 2:18 pm
I'm a revision from Lap Band to VSG and, after the repair of my hiatal hernia, my GERD, while still present, is better. The cause of my GERD is a damaged esophageal sphincter caused by improper eating with my hand over 14 years. It's pretty common.
If your lower esophagus is stretched from overeating with your sleeve, then GERD might not be fixed with RNY. I had several studies (manometry, EGD, EGD Bravo, contrast study) to understand why I have GERD. That informed what surgery I would revise to after my band was removed.
There are procedures to address the esophagus stretching like a nissan fundoplication. You may have a hiatal hernia as well.
Good luck.
