Getting an upper GI exam done today. Anything I need to prepare for? Surgery date is May 16th yeyyyyy!

Congrats on your surgery date! The upper GI wasn't anything bad at all. I got the barium swallow (aka an upper GI). They put you on an X-ray table and have you sip the liquid barium while they x-ray you and see if you have any reflux, hernias, or difficulties swallowing. It does taste bad, but its a quick and painless thing. Word of advice: drink plenty of Water today to pass that barium and your stools are gonna be a pasty white. This is normal! You want to pass that barium!

Good luck to you!

It's not terrible, but I almost threw up several times, I'm weak when it comes to certain flavors and textures lol... It's over quick though.

5/7/2013

Well a barium swallow (where I work atleast) is a modified shorter version of an Upper GI exam. A full exam is still about the same except you may have to drink a bit more barium, a thin and thick. Think milk and milkshake. It's not horrible but it's very heavy on your stomach. You may have to also start the exam with some "fizzies". It like nasty pop rocks. This will put air in your GI so things are easier to see. You will feel bloated and need to burp but need to hold it in until they say it's ok. You will be standing and lying on the table and may have to turn and roll a bit. Should not be to bad at all. Congrats on surgery date and good luck!

Ok cool does not sound to bad. Have 3 appointments today ugh, so we are doing it on Thursday instead last thing needed before surgery. I am at my preop exam now waiting and waiting. Got here early as I live about an hour from Boston Mass where I am having my surgery. Excited to just get it done already!!

I have so many appts. too! Drives me crazy. I hate going to drs. I spend 40+ hours a week in clinic/hospital setting last thing I want to do is spend my off time there too. Oh well all for the greater good! They aren't too bad and the barium is not too tasty but like the others said it not a very long exam.

I have so many appts. too! Drives me crazy. I hate going to drs. I spend 40+ hours a week in clinic/hospital setting last thing I want to do is spend my off time there too. Oh well all for the greater good! They aren't too bad and the barium is not too tasty but like the others said it not a very long exam.

Me to I work at a hospital, so it sucks sitting around one all day on my day off lol