VSG & Cancer

I am seriously considering vertical sleeve but I have one major obstacle and I would love to know if anyone has been in the same situation. I am 16 months in remission for Ovarian cancer. I sent a request a few months back to a bariatric surgeon in Birmingham, Al at UAB where my Gyn Onc is. He refused to even entertain bariatric surgery unless my Onc signed off. I saw my Onc in Sept and he refused because he can't guarantee that I would never recur. So I joined WW and have struggled since. Instead of losing I have gained so....Anyway, I am going to make an appt with a surgeon closer to my home and work on Monday but what I need to know is if anyone has ever been in this situation? Also, my odds of recurrence are higher the more I weigh so could I use this to my advantage?

Thanks!

When my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 20 yrs ago, she was on the quick weight loss centers' plan. Her oncologist told her he didn't want her to lose weight while she underwent treatment as some weightloss could indicate the cancer had spread. Or a steady weight meant she was doing well. 

Hi, 

I have a history of breast cancer, diagnosed almost 6 years ago.  It was a particularly aggressive form and in the dark reaches of my mind, I wanted weight loss surgery (in part) to make it easier should I ever need treatment again. 

My surgeon didn't have a problem with this history at all. I have no idea if it makes you are 16 months in remission vs my 5+ years.  However, do know that at the last minute, my insurance company wanted a statement from the oncologist. 

His statement said something along the lines that there is no clinical evidence that weight loss surgery would increase odds of recurrence.   He also put in a statement that the sleeve would not affect my tamoxifen absorption. The whole statement was 2-3 sentences. In person, he was very supportive of the surgery but the statement was just the facts. The insurance company was satisfied. 

Honestly, using the logic that he "can't guarantee" you won't recur sounds so odd to me.  There are never guarantees. Nobody is asking him to be a crystal ball. He also can't guarantee that you won't die in a car accident on the way home from the hospital.  I wonder if he understands his role in this. 

I know what you mean that the heavier you are, the more likely the recurrence. There are similar suggestions about lower glucose levels being better, too (at least for breast cancer.)  But, I don't think there are definitive studies that proves those points.  However, you can certainly discuss with your oncologist.  And, I would ask him if he could simply say something along the lines that my oncologist said.  

Best of luck in everything!  So glad you are here to be considering weight loss surgery!

~Shel

I also see no reason that a sleeve surgery would prevent you from having weight loss surgery. It should only make things better I would think because obesity is linked to so many other cancers. Maybe the oncologist doesn't understand that there is no malabsorption with the sleeve and thinks it would affect any future cancer treatment if it was needed. Specialists like oncologists or neurologists or any other "ologists" know little to nothing about other areas of treatment. So he may think you are having gastric bypass where you wouldn't be able to absorb medications that you would need if your cancer recurs. Maybe make an appointment with him to discuss what his reasoning is. I can only see it as a positive thing for your future health, perhaps he just wants you to wait a bit longer. You have the right to know why he is saying "no" to your request!