I'm finally starting to get everything going again on my lap band journey. I was going to have it back in October but some things came up and postponed it. So now I'm back and got a few tests scheduled. My first test is coming up on the 27th and I was told it was an Upper GI. In all my excitement over the phone making the appointment (and my kids yelling in the background) I didn't think to ask any questions. But is an Upper GI where you swallow the barium or is it the endoscopy? At first I was thinking it was where they used the endoscopy because at my seminar I was told I would have one but the more I research and google it a whole bunch of topics come up about Upper GI's and barium. Im happy to do either one because I need this surgery but just wanted to be prepared for what I'm going to have to go through. And if it is an endoscopy, are you asleep during it? Thanks!

Its so easy! Just swallow some bloat -inducing crystals then a few sips of chaulky barium, they take some pics and you're done! I was in the room for 5 mins!

Thank you Mck for the response! You made me feel a lot better about getting it done especially since I thought it would take a long time. I should be fine as long as I can hold it down! lol

its over fast and the give u some good meds and wont remember or feel a thing after that

My uppergi consisted of swallowing an alka seltzer like mixture, then standing on a machine and taking a sip of thick barium, then the table rotated down so that I was now laying down...then a sip of thinner barium, then I had to roll over, taking a few pics during this whole process while holding my breath. Then it was done...took about five mins and i could see my upper gi tract the whole time, so cool.

I've had two upper GIs. They were exactly as Horsegirl described. There were no meds involved other than the gas creating stuff and the barium. It was cool to watch on the screen. Mine were both after banding, so I got to see my band in action. The last one took about 45 minutes or so, but they did a little bit more to include my esophagus, looking for dilation.

No sweat!

I've had two upper GIs. They were exactly as Horsegirl described. There were no meds involved other than the gas creating stuff and the barium. It was cool to watch on the screen. Mine were both after banding, so I got to see my band in action. The last one took about 45 minutes or so, but they did a little bit more to include my esophagus, looking for dilation.

No sweat!

My surgery is tomorrow morning so I'm really excited and a little nervous. The Doc said he is going to keep me overnight and then do the upper GI that morning to make sure everything is flowing right. Did you do yours that quickly? and if you did, how hard was it to swallow that barium? I'm afraid I'm going to get sick from it : (

I had my endoscopy yesterday and I didn't have to swallow any liquids. I was in a day stay setting, had twilight sedation, and was out for about 15-20 minutes. The doctor put a scope down my esophagus and that was it. Never knew I had it, no after effects at all.

Shannon if you do have to swallow the barium, make sure you drink plenty of water all day. I worked in the x-ray dept and make the barium drinks. They forget to tell you to drink water to get it out of your system sooner then later. Good luck. Hope you have the same procedure that Shirley36 & I had.

My surgery is tomorrow morning so I'm really excited and a little nervous. The Doc said he is going to keep me overnight and then do the upper GI that morning to make sure everything is flowing right. Did you do yours that quickly? and if you did, how hard was it to swallow that barium? I'm afraid I'm going to get sick from it : (

Many surgeons do an Upper GI the day after surgery. Mine did not. The barium is not delicious, but it is not so bad. It is a like thick Mylanta. I think for a post-surgery one it is just a few swallows.

My UGIs were done at 2.5 years post-op and about 3 months ago.

Best wishes for tomorrow and a speedy recovery.

Many surgeons do an Upper GI the day after surgery. Mine did not. The barium is not delicious, but it is not so bad. It is a like thick Mylanta. I think for a post-surgery one it is just a few swallows.

My UGIs were done at 2.5 years post-op and about 3 months ago.

Best wishes for tomorrow and a speedy recovery.

Thanks for your information and well wishes!!

I apologize for getting confused with the original question. I thought you were talking about the pre-testing, not the post testing the day after the surgery. I guess I had my endoscopy on my mind since I had it yesterday. Mea Cula. :-)

I actually had this done today. Its like everyone says EASY. The hard part for me was that the dye was awful tasting. But I am done with it!! Good luck!

Thanks for the replies everyone! I was completely scared about having this done but hearing from everyones experiences makes me feel a whole lot better. I talked to them this morning over the phone when they called to remind me of my appointment and it is the barium drink. Although I'm not looking forward to swallowing the barium I do feel a lot less stressed about it. All of this is so new to me, I've never had to have any type of tests done other than the occasional blood test and the gross diabetes drink test lol. And to Meredith , thank you very much for telling me about drinking a lot of water, I will definitely do that.Thank you very much everyone and I hope to be able to answer some of these questions to others one day!