Question:
To remove or not to remove...I need answers!

Ok, guys, here goes. I was going to have the RNY but during preop they found a benign growth in the area of my stomach where it meets the small intestine. My doctor recommended lap band because they could still monitor the growth. With the bypass, it would be sealed off forever and it couldn't be monitored or biopsied. However, my insurance sucks and they will not cover the band, only the bypass. The two surgeons i have spoke with said they would only do the bypass if they removed the growth, hence the lower part of my stomach and the first few inches of my intestine. I don't have a problem with getting the bypass. It is actually what I wanted. However, I am not sure about getting pieces parts removed entirely. I know with the bypass I won't use them again. But what if I do. I would appreciate opinions on this. Would you do it or wouldn't you. I know its my decision but just would like to hear your thoughts.    — lindadougherty (posted on May 10, 2003)

May 9, 2003
If it were ME I would get the growth removed if its the type that could become malignant later. Just so I wouldnt need to worry about it. As is it will likely require regular scopes and tests and possibly future surgery. If it were me I would rather have that behind me.
   — bob-haller

May 10, 2003
In what instance would you ever need that growth? What are the chances this growth will always be benign? I had part of my thyroid removed a couple of years ago because they found a benign growth. The surgeon said we could just watch it since it wasn't causing a problem, but then he said, "If it's normal tissue, why is it growing there?" so I had it removed. It turned out to be non-cancerous, but who knows what would have happened in the future? Count yourself lucky they found this growth and you have a chance to get rid of it now! I would go for it. Rmember, too, that RNY is a permanent change, so there is really no going back, so you won't be needing that tissue again.
   — koogy

May 10, 2003
I am resected, also. I was orignally just stapled, but then I had SLD. By my choice, my surgeon (grumbling the whole way) did remove the lower stomach. It was a bag of ulcer scars from a life time of them. I saw NO point in doing surgery again, only to form an ulcer down there in the remote regions and have to have yet ANOTHER surgery to go fetch it. I've seen about 8 of them, & I wasn't going there. I was already on top of my nutrition, so that didn't seem to make things any better or any worse. BUT now that I don't have acid have not had marginal ulcer, and for some odd reason can now eat chicken & rice (which can have nothing to do with anything, but there it is)
   — vitalady

May 10, 2003
Linda, I think I would get it removed as well. Let's just say that LAP band is out of the decision now, since insurance won't pay (and I take it you don't want to either- completely understand that!) So, you hav an RNY and still have this growth there which is fine now, but like theprevious poster said, god knows what could happen in say 10 years. But they wouldn't be able to see it or find out about it. I would go for the RNY and get the problem removed. If you're worried about not having the older stomach to go back to in the future, don't be too scared. There are others out there who have their old stomachs removed for a variety of reasons. We can live functioning, healthy lives on our new stomachs. AND from what I hear the bypass isn't that easy to reverse anyway, and some doctors can't do it- never have or won't even try. So I think your best bet is to have it removed- from a non-clinical point of view. Goodluck to you!
   — Lezlie Y.