Celiac & Sleeve Surgery

Question
Hi Karla,

I have Celiac diease and would like to get the Sleeve surgery.  I've noticed other Celiacs have gotten this surgery and are doing good.  Do you have any advice or concerns?

Thanks,
Callie

Answer
Hi Callie:

I honestly haven't heard of any issues with celiacs having VSG surgery.  I'd check in with my gastroenterologist just to be sure that s/he was on board--but other than that, I think you'll be fine.  

My understanding is you can have some malabsorption issues with your disease anyways--so when you have your 6 month and then yearly bloodwork, just be sure that your surgeon is checking for the typical sleeve stuff (B12, iron, folic acid, vitamin D, PTH) as well as the A,E,K and Ca.  Whether or not your surgeon/gastroenterologist wants to check you at 3 months or more frequently is something you might want to discuss.  I don't think you have to worry about the VSG making things worse, though.  The bacterial overgrowth that some Celiacs get is similar to what DS patients get and treat--so perhaps consulting with a surgeon who does the DS as well might be a good idea (if possible).  

As for diet intolerances, they are truly rare with the Sleeve--so I can't really predict any issues on that front for you.

I checked pubmed and didn't find any articles regarding celiac/coeliac disease and sleeve gastrectomy--so if there have been issues, they haven't been reported yet.

Good luck and enjoy your new sleeve. :)  

Karla  

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