Hi All,

I go in for my endoscopy tomorrow. I'm possibly more anxious about this than I am about the actual surgery. I flirted with bulimia for years and have a pretty sensitive gag reflex going on. I just hope they put me pretty far out before they try to put something down my throat!!

You will be out like a light

I've had it done a few times, along with a dilation a few times due to a Schatzki ring ( https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Schatzki_ring ). They typically dope you up pretty good and then have you swallow stuff that numbs your throat. It was easy for me. We all wish you well for the procedure AND your new sleeve adventure.

You will completely out. When I woke up after about 15 minutes, I felt rested like I had 7 hours of sleep. Nice.

you wont even know what they are doing to you. at least i didn't!

good luck!

Kelly

I have my endoscopy on Friday, so I'll be thinking of you!

easiest thing ever.....you do not feel a thing or know anything going on. Then, you feel all nice and cozy from the anesthesia for the rest of the day!

What exactly does an endoscopy do? Is this something that gets done right before surgery? I'm guessing it's not something everyone has to do? Just curious!

It is done so that they can see if you a bacteria called H. Pylori in your stomach. If so then they must treat you with antibiotics pre-surgery. Also will show if you have a hiatal hernia, and just generally get a look at your stomach and make everything is ok before surgery.

Can you drive home from your endoscopy? Or do you need someone to be there with you?

I had a really good experience (if you can call that a good experience in general!). I was super nervous- my blood pressure was totally wacko - in the 170s/60! but they took me back and had me take off my shirt and put on a gown for the top. Then they started an IV line. The waiting was the hardest part. It seemed like forever. They finally wheeled me back on the gurney into a big room. The Dr. was there and he asked me if I had any questions and explained what he'd do. He asked me about my history with GI issues. The nurses told me they were giving me something through the IV to help me relax and put a green thing in my mouth to keep it open . The next thing I knew I opened my eyes and I was back in the prep/recovery area and my mom was sitting there. If they gave me something to numb my throat I don't remember it and my throat felt like normal- nothing irritated or dry or numb. My mom told me the Dr. came and talked to her but I don't remember it at all. He said he saw some evidence of acid reflux and took one little biopsy but he said it went well and overall looked good.

I did feel drunk/loopy and there's no way I could have driven safely. They did require that I had someone to drive me home. My mom could have stayed but I told here not so so she could run a few errands instead of sitting there the whole time.

Thanks all!! One step closer. I have one more set of tests to turn in that I have in my possession now. After I turn in the tests I have and the endoscopy results and psych eval are back they should be able to go forward with formal approval!

I'm looking to be my surgeon's first surgery of the 2012!!

Stacey ~You will need someone to drive you. When I had mine done, they would not even do the procedure unless you had someone with you to drive afterward.

That makes sense. Hopefully I'll be having mine done next month!! Thanks for all the info everyone:)