I need some advice

Hi,

my name is Jhadere i'm 23 years old a student in Toronto, Canada. I am currently going through the process of becoming a candidate for WLS. The hospital I'm doing the program with is Humber River Hospital in Toronto. I had my initial appointment with the surgeon on October 6th. After meeting with the surgeon he told me that I would have to do the Gastric Bypass instead of VSG. Prior to the surgery I did a bit of research as to the type of surgery I wanted and I was a lot more comfortable with the VSG. I also have lupus and take a variety of medications where before I take them I have to eat. The surgeons reasoning for not doing the VSG is that the risks of Acid reflux and ulcers. there was a point where I was having issues with acid reflux but that was due to my gallbladder that i had removed. I really want to have this surgery because I have struggled with my weight my whole life and this right now feels like its my last resort. I really dont want to go through with it if I have to do the Gastric Bypass. I guess what I'm asking is what should I do. Has anyone on here with Lupus (SLE) gone through with the surgery and still been able to take the medications.

The Meds I take are:

Prednizone

Imuran (Azathioprine)

Doxasozin

Lasix

Calcium

Vitamin D

Womens Multivitamin

Tumeric

Probiotics

Iron (Europher)

Tecta

Doctor knows best. They have tons of other patients who take just as many medications as you do. You just won't be able to take them all at the same time, and may get liquid versions of some.

With RNY you will lose quicker and have less chance of reflux issues. Many with VSG have to revise to RNY to get rid of the reflux and GERD.

Check out the Lupus Forum

I'd love to see statistics on the number of actual VSG to RNY revisions due to acid. Without numbers, and only the anecdotal evidence from the forums, I'm not sure it's fair to claim "[m]any with VSG have to revise to RNY to get rid of the reflux and GERD."

Sadly I only have access to abstracts and not full free articles for these studies. :/

From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23238373 - "gastroesophageal reflux manifestation after the operation (20% to 31%)"

From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24060743 - "while only five patients (11.1%) had GERD requiring PPI therapy before SG, 15 patients required PPI therapy (33.3%) at 5 years after SG (200% increase)"

However then there's https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24249251 - "A correctly fashioned sleeve does not induce de novo GERD."

From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28964697, a study combining VSG with Rossetti laparoscopic fundoplication - "Rossetti laparoscopic fundoplication is well tolerated, feasible, and safe in obese patients with GERD, with good postoperative weight results."

Very interesting numbers - I didn't find specifics about revisions from VSG to RNY. And, sadly, it's time for me to do real work instead of "fun" research!

As someone who lived through it, I would disagree with the third study. My sleeve was perfectly formed (and it wasn't only my original surgeon who said so), and I developed de novo GERD as a result. I guess that just means that there are exceptions to every general rule.

Right - it proves that anecdotal experience does not equal data. Which isn't to discount your experience at all, since it truly sucks and developing GERD post-VSG is my biggest fear. To read that 20-30% of VSGers end up with it is frightening.

Julie is working on a survey now and I believe that is one of the questions.

It will be interesting to see the results.

Of the 34 who have responded to the survey, only 5 have had revisions. I'm chatting with Member Services right now to see if I could open the survey up to the rest of the forums, and I'll definitely make sure to include that item!

I have lupus and started my weight loss journey with a VSG. Unfortunately, the GERD was so bad I had to revise to RNY. The RNY has been great and i would highly recommend the procedure over the sleeve.

Fortunately, I've been in remission for sometime now and have only had to take prednisone on several occasions for the chronic pericarditis that never seems to go away.

I do have several medications that require I eat before taking them. Easy-peezy....

I miss NSAIDS a lot for the accumulated joint damage pain. I have taken ibuprofen several times since my revision, but it is absolutely on the do not take list. I didn't have any problems with the ibuprofen, but that does not give me a free pass, nor should anyone think they can take it with no problems post RNY. I've heard that taking it even one time can cause an ulcer.

I know there are a couple of others here on OH that have lupus and have had RNY. Maybe they will chime in.

You will feel soooo much better after losing your excess weight. I know I feel so much healthier and I'm taking fewer medications than when I was obese.

I hope I've helped and here's a big hug for you!