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Hi Blossom, Congratulations!!! The difference is in the machine they use. An upper GI is a term, Also called an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series or simply an upper GI, upper gastrointestinal tract radiography is an x-ray examination of the esophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine. However, in order for the anatomy to show up on radiographic images, the upper gastrointestinal tract must be coated or filled with a contrast material called barium, an element that appears bright white on radiographs. The barium is given to the patient to drink. This procedure is called upper gastrointestinal tract radiography when the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum are evaluated, or a barium swallow when only the pharynx and esophagus are evaluated. Fluoroscopy is a technique for obtaining "live" X-ray images of a living patient. The X-rays is coupled to a television camera. The Radiologist can then watch the images "live" on a TV monitor. Basically, It's just referring to the machine.

Wow Babs! Holy cow, they fit!!!! LOL Isn't it fun shopping now! Congratulations

Hi Patty, I am also sorry to hear about your freinds death. Good luck with your banding process. I have been banded for 15 months and it has changed my life.

Michelle, I’m in 12’s….Stretch Cords are great, you’ll be the first in line if I’m out of theses, and thanks, I know how much you understand. Betty, Marie, Becky, Nancy, Alexandra, Babs, Greg, Pam, Cindy and everyone else thanks for your well wishes and concerns :banana Leatha, you ROCK! Your knowledge is out of here! If it wasn’t about your information…this fill wouldn’t have gone this smooth! THANKS (keep it coming) Rebecca-lee, If kinky was ever a problem?? (hope NOT) LOVE your posing pup pic, YES your dog was posing, and you look GREAT. I read that you’ve been to Monterey, than you’ve drove right by my place. You better stop in if you even think of going this way and posting about it! Marie, When are we ever going to see your sweet face…post baby, POST Leatha and Anne we were all filled this week, so lets compare in a few weeks if our fills get "tighter" That's what I'm hoping for! I hate being on mushies; I love Soup but want some real food! This morning I could gulp Water. I did want a bit more of a fill but my Doc convinced me, he was actually boasting "look at the screen that's a perfect text-book fill" besides I don't want to be tooo-tight. Cindy, I agree, we hear more about the band problems on these boards and we're aware that these problems can happen to any of us. That's why I feel these flouro fill are so important, even if its just a check-up.

Boy do I love getting a fill under fluoroscope! :banana I was so nervous this morning cause I thought the doc was going to find a leak..What other explanation for the complete loss of restriction. I even had 2 pork chops last night, the last time I had 3 bites of a pork chop, I PBed!! So off to radiology I went with my head full of questions for the doc. I landed up waiting 2 hours to get in with only water I was pretty hungry. Dr McKeen struts in looking quite thin...I remark on how good he looks with his weight loss and his remark was "I did it the hard way" Then quickly apologizes and reams "I hope it stays off," we laughed as he pulls out a bag of goodies, syringes and bottles. The radiologist is starting to put 2 and 2 together cause we purposely wrote up the orders for hard to swallow, barium swallow test so my insurance will cover most of the procedure. We start talking about where my fill could have gone and why he couldn't get any fill out the previous time. Then I asked him about contrast and he remarks that he just read that the makers of the Swedish band were suggesting contrast fills because the band's not holding saline for a long time, Why...they don't really know, but he remarks that all bands have a tendency especially over time to loose some fill solution. The fluoroscopy machine is on and the port is accessed the first time, we follow the tubing and indeed a possible kink is reveled, more like a sharp curve, about 2 inches from the port. He tries to pull some saline out but nothing comes out. He has me drink some yummy chocolate barium and we watch it go right through, a good 1/2 inch opening. He puts in 1cc of contrast as we see the stoma opening get smaller, then adds another cc and that's when it got real cool. As I drink small sips of barium you can see it sit right above the band for a second or so then with a couple of spasms in the esophagus, which is like a muscle, the barium slowly goes down about a 1/6th of an inch stoma opening. The band is in the perfect place, no visible leaks, everything looks great besides the sharp curve in the tubing, which at this time were not too concerned about. I even have a picture the radiologist gave me. I'm so relieved! :banana

Congratulations! After all you've been through, there's only one way to go and thats....down (in weight) :banana

Leatha, you Rock! Congratulations..Inches are way cool as we all know, and so many have said "clothes fit losser" it's not all in the weight. I just noticed your short, I don't remember you being short in Vegas? You have the best links and info! 5.5oz. I'm doing cottage cheese in the morning I get my flouro fill on Thursday! yA.

Get my drift? Marie I hate those long sleve sweaters, just because they make clothes bigger, why do they make the sleeves longer? LOLOL and now it's still the same were not monkeys what's with the .3? your 180...

Cool you found it "Geez, I read this post and then took a nap. I dreamed I was walking down the street (after banding) in nothing but my new smaller sized Incredible Hulk briefs. And I was getting all sorts of wolf whistles, but they were all guys! Help!" and I still need help..couldn't find were the quote option is hey maybe you bumped Donali? Ryan still wishing you the best With all your hopes, thoughts and Honeysuckle dreams

Hey Marie..Someone who feels like me! But, I can't fart...I don't have a colon! OK, I do get gas....but it's not a green sustained kiss of Roses..

Oh Becky How sweet! I love purples, furry...I'm sure anything you do will be beautiful! We're at the same weight! 179! :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny I think you might pass me up thou... I go for a flouro fill on thursday...I'm getting excited. We'll see how it go's cause I can eat anything right now.

WOW! so cute Becky...You're good! Hey that was quick OK, If you want to sell one let me know? It sounded like Teresa is way busy...but If either of you girls want to sell me one...???

Thanks Ladies....I just spent an hour looking for that post of Ryan's dream so I could quote it. I think he deleted it? Anyway, I believe his surgery is this Thursday, please correct me if I'm wrong. Ryan the best of luck, I'll be thinking of you!

Have a good time! Bring bottled water and Gatorade.

Bummer, How fustrating. I know you were looking forward to this, your first fill. Why do you have to wait couple of weeks?

I recall a dream you had "walking down the street in my Incredible Hulk underwear" here's to your dreams coming true... Wishing you the best with your up-coming surgery! This is Hunter, he's not quite incredible...but he's a hulk!

and you complained about my snoring....

Thanks Leatha, Great link and good explaination!

Thanks Teresa! I just printed Penni's cute pics and your instructions! I can do this.?? I think

I know how strong you are but sometimes you just need to cry. Sending my shoulder…When it rains it pours. Death always make me appreciate the living so much more. One of the reasons for getting this band was to be living healthier and hopefully longer for my kids. So sorry for your losses. Ryan, Your words are beautiful…I too wish “may you hear your heart laughing once again” Penni, I was wondering about your Mom and her colon, how is she?

This is very Interesting Alexandra, I hope the best for you…I also have to change the way I’m eating. I need a new band-itude…. I eat way to fast. Leatha, Thanks for forwarding this post, It couldn’t have came at a better time. I’m scheduled for a fluoroscopy on the 11th and was discussing weather we were checking for leaks or just going for a fill. During my last 2 fills, done blind. My doc couldn’t get any saline out from previous fills. So what this Mexican doctor is saying about saline dissipating is very interesting yet as I have read, Inamed only recommends saline (even thou I have a Swedish band) and this is the first time I’ve heard of this contrast solution used for a fill not just for checking for leaks??

Hi Bright Glad your feeling better, Its good to just let it all out... I just wanted to add that Ann-Marie, an RN, told me she fills and unfills her-self for big meals/parties. I would love to be able to do that. 70 lbs is a lot!! be proud of yourself, This isn't easy and the proper restriction helps. Hope you find out some information. Please let us know what you find out I'm curious. Staying focused is not easy for me...I'm on a 4 month plateau. Good Luck and (((HUGS)))

I forget alot and just start eating...boy do I need a fill. Fade with time, or the sensations of restriction to remind me to eat as a banded person? But habits of over a year, I hardly ever drink with my meals and go for protien first. Darcy, Your angel Nicci how is she doing since her stomach was "un-twisted"? Does your sister have any side-effects with sugar dumping? Has she modified her diet or eats what she wants? Is she near goal?

Good idea Betty, Hot chocolate! or try warm tea. Congraulations Kim, Gas was my biggest problem post-op and walking did help me. I believe what your going through is normal....get use to the growls and gurgling.

Congratulations Blossom! Your about to start a new journey! Take pictures and measurements of youself now, to document the changes. My thoughts and prayers are with you.