sorry that is very vague BUT I need this question answered - just figured a doctor/nurse might know the difference in medical name.

What is the name of the barium used in Lap Band procedures and used under x-ray? Is liquid barium the same as Barium Sulfate Suspension?

I had a very serious allergic reaction last week to Barium Sulfate suspension for a CT scan and my Urologist called and told me that he advises against me getting the band because Barium is used :think

If no one knows, is there any way to get around using barium with the band?

Im desperate here - my surgery is May 26th and i don't want to cancel it :phanvan

You should research gastrografin and talk to your band doctor about it. M

Talk to your surgeon about it. There may be a way to not have to do barium at all. Not sure when or why it's needed, but I didn't have it after my surgery like some seem to. Not sure if I'll need it for fills or whatnot.

Hi...I'm an xray tech and yes its the same thing..Did they use IV contrast on you also? Gastrographin is another way they can do a GI swallow on you if need be...Hope this helps.........Cindy

Thanks all :eek: yes I talked to Dr. Ortiz' office already - they said yes they do use the barium, just a diluted version of it. This is why my urologist and PcP said NO way for the band.

Their office did tell me there was a different way to do them, but did not say [gastrografin]. Barium, I understand is look to see how your band is doing and how much is getting through, so it's a given they say that you have to do something to check it.

Anyone had gastrografin before? after last week, Im really leery to do anything else LOL Im still looking for a followup doctor - pretty much decided Dr. Grossbard, so I will have to call his office too and ask him about alternatives.

oh btw Cindy you might like this since youre an xray tech --

I got sick within 10-15 min of starting to drink the barium, throat started to swell some, and nausea etc. I thought I was just having a problem with the texture/taste of it, so I kept on.

I stayed violently sick until 9am the next morning, called the Radiologist and they told me to come in even being sick and they would have to give me MORE barium since I threw it up.

I told them heck no I wasn't going in, I was too sick for them to call my doctor. The xray tech got ticked at me messing their schedule up and said she had never had anyone who had an allergic reaction to barium just to get over it and come in.

My doctor had a talk with them after learning this:embarassed:

and Yes I had a non contrast ct, having another sort of IVP and MRI on May 10th

I know I've heard many of you talk about and refer to the "barium swallow"...but I have NEVER had to do that. It was not used before, during or after my surgery. So, yes, it IS possible to do the lapband without it....I guess just some docs. prefer to do it...but you don't HAVE to.....

I did the "barium swallow" prior to surgery but I do remember another girl getting to be "exempt" from it, maybe from an allergy like yours. Have you called your doctor and asked if there is an alternative or if you can still have surgery without it?

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Lisa,

As long as you let them know that you had an allergic reaction to the substance, they will not give it to you. I would question whether you're allergic to the barium or the sulfate portion of the suspension. Many individuals seem to be sensitive to sulfates. Anyway, there are other radio-opaque (shows up on x-ray) substances they can use such as the gastrograffin.

I wouldn't get myself all up in a nit about this. It's not absolutely a necessity to do these procedures. You make it sound like a foregone conclusion. Many docs do their fills without fluoro. Mine preferred to have an upper GI pre-op to make sure my anatomy was normal. I also had one just post-op to be sure that everything was in place and fluids were moving the way they should. If you're sensitive, I'm sure they can find other ways to get done what they need done.

Good Luck,

I talked to Carolyn at Dr. Ortiz' and asked her about the barium swallow and she said yes they require the barium swallow but they use a diluted version of it <SHIVERS thought the at>

I will have to talk to them again and make sure they understand what I am talking about and get them to not do the barium I really don't want to go to another doctor, Ive been working with Dr. Ortiz' office since February.

That's why I asked here - so many doctors are different, and I wanted to see what others said about theirs.

Now I need to find a fill dr for aftercare who will not require the barium. Is this correct ask if they require barium swallows or an alternative method?

(oh btw, I bet it's the sulfate too, I even said that to my husband - there is one antibiotic that makes me sick - Septra, just not as bad a reaction as Penecillin)

I still have to get through the obstacle of kidney problems, waiting till May 10th for the CT and IVP. another ivp - showed something on my kidney and my other tests showed possible damage I just found out Friday evening.

Thanks all! my husband will be disappointed - he was looking at spending my $15,000 on a new computer! :eekB: j/k