I couldnt sleep last nightthinking of Penni, knowing she was in surgery. It got me to thinking about things...People just because you have an upper GI does not mean your band is fine.. Penni is perfect example of this..

Here is a quote from her post last week in regards to her upper GI

Then they sent me to have an upper GI. I was shocked they wanted me to have it done today. I was equally shocked I was worked in so fast. ANyway I drank that horrible stuff and rolled and tossed on the table while the doc looked at my innards. He showed me the pictures and he said it all looks fine. It doesn't appear I have either a slip or erosion but then again he wasn't my band doc.

A week later after and endo she is in surgery having her band removed due to erosion.

An endo is the sure way to tell if you have erosion. Just my opinion on all of this. If you want to know for sure if your band is OK have an endo over an upper GI

Thanks for the info Michelle. What would we do without you? You are always there for everyone and always so helpful.

Yup, my understanding is that an erosion will show up on an upper GI if the erosion is so bad the barium/contrast Fluid flows around and over the band, and even then, you have to catch it at the right angle.

I agree...if anyone is concerned about erosion, endoscopy is the procedure to pursue. Nothing like a good pic of the real deal...go get that visual!!

Another thing, I had planned on getting an endo at my 1 year in April 2006, but "heard" somewhere on here that endos are recommended at 18-24 months, which is when you all have been finding out these things. What do you think, Michelle? My plan was to go at 18 months, sooner if I have reason for concern.

Michelle,

just to clarify between the two test...

Upper GI aka barium swallow, right?

and endoscope is being scoped down the throat into the stomach.

I -also- looked back on her posting, and only recently did she mention having problems (horrible PB, even on soup).

Its scaring the crap out of me thinking about all of you with no symptoms of erosion - actually eroding. And in Penni's case, it looks pretty severe. It would make sense to me that we would physically feel something "wrong"... pain in stomach being the #1 symptom.

I just hope Penni is ok.

I hope all of us are ok...

I whole heartedly agree that at some point and maybe at the first time reflux starts we should be getting an Endo. I layed on that table back in Oct and rolled this way and that way and the head Hancho was there and said everything is fine. Docs office even said looking at the tape it is fine. So then why do I now have not only reflux but a whole burning sensation in my innards at various times.

Mary,

You and I were banded days apart.

Me on the 5th - you on the 16th.

I think its wise for BOTH of us to get tested. We are right at the appropriate time frame for problems. LIke you - Im having that horrid reflux if I eat the wrong thing or too late - and also, the burning sensations. not good.

Hi all,

I just wanted to all that lots of people are so scared of the endo and try to avoid it... it's really not bad at all. I have had around 8 of them the past 6 years (even before banded life). Just make sure you have a good doctor who gives you something to make you 'out of it' for the test. You really don't remember a thing - it's a breeze if you just think positive!

My mom went in today for her 8 mos check up. At my insistance, she finally told the doctor she could only keep down liquids for the last two months. He has her set up for an upper GI next Friday. She also printed off the technique post and asked him about that, which he said was pretty much the standard procedure. Last time I was in to see him, I told him about LBT and all the problems with erosion, he added to his favorties, so hopefully, he's paying attention to what's happening with so many of our friends.

He told my mom to stay on liquids and he would be able to tell if she needed an unfill after the test next week. IMO, it's pretty obvious, but I'm not the doctor.

"heard" somewhere on here that endos are recommended at 18-24 months, which is when you all have been finding out these things. What do you think, Michelle?

Kathy all I am going on is what my Dr. tells his patients. He wants an endo between 18 -24 months post op. I'm a perfect example of no erosion at the 1 yr mark when I had the endo due to my bowel obstruction no erosion then but in November I had erosion. Go figure.

Paula an upper Gi may show signs of erosion if the barium flows over the band and not through the band. In Penni's case he said all looked well with her upper GI again though he was no band doctor., an experienced band doctor may detect something wrong with the band doing an uppper GI but to be 100% sure an endo must be done.

I thought it was customary to send the video off to you band doc?? In my case they did.. But then again who could see the protusion if it is on the inside except an Endo??

To tell they truth I wish there was an easier way than the Endo because of the panic attacks I have just going to the hosp. How bad is that?? But I know I need one done. See what happens on Tuesday..

Paula we are also very close in Wt loss too..

I just want to restate that an UPPER GI will not conclusively diagnose an Erosion. The only sure way is to have an ENDO. The procedure either needs to be done by your band surgeon or he needs to be in the room. Billy didn't see the Erosion at first and then turned the camera around so it looks back on itself and VOILA there was the Erosion hiding under a fold. So it takes a skilled person to know what to look for.

I had no real symptoms other than the excessive PB recently. All I can say is when in doubt check it out. Yeah it might cost you some bills but hey what is your life worth?

Do not hesitate at all. I think 18 months out is good to check but it wouldn't hurt to check after a year. If nothing else you have a baseline.

Please guys don't mess around with your health.