The doctor's office told me I have to have an "upper GI" and an abdominal ultrasound as part of my evaluation. I watch tv, so I have a vague idea of what these things are, but I've never been in a hospital or had anything like this done to me so I wanted to know more. I found these two pages that do a good job of explaining both procedures - how to prepare, what you be asked to do, what will it feel like, etc. I don't know how I'm supposed to get through the ultrasound. I'm wicked ticklish.

Upper GI

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/content/upper_gi.htm

Ultrasound

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/content/ultrasound-abdomen.htm

Anyone know of any other routine-type tests people have had for the pre-band eval?

I had my pre-op testing yesterday. It went continuously from 9:45 until 1:15. They worked me over like never before. But I got an "all clear" and I feel wonderful about having such a thorough check-up.

They took 5 vials of blood, they did a gall-bladder ultrasound (wee hee, I'm ticklish also), a chest x-ray, an EKG, and a lung capacity test. I met my sergeon, an intern, a respiratory therapist, and a nutritionist. I did NOT have an upper GI.

I guess every hospital is different. Good luck with your procedure (and your testing!)

So far, I have had an upper GI, a stress test, an ekg, a 3-d echocardiogram of my heart, and been to the pulmonologist. I still have to complete three nutrition classes, a psych evaluation, and two more doctor visits plus bloodwork. The upper GI was no big deal. I was knocked out for it and don't remember much about it. It takes five minutes and it was great having the day off from work!