So tomorrow I have my endoscopy appointment n then on monday I might have my Upper GI , but for sure I have an ultrasound and sleep study ..so busy..im really pushing my clinic to try n get my stuff done asap, I want this surgery before my college gradation n before the new semester starts.how did the endoscopy and upper GI go for the ones who had them?

hey Christina, i'm in the same boat as you.. with the upper GI you throat gets really soar afterwards but don't be scared it's well worth it in the end. I know it is sooo stressful but just think how great it is that you are taking time out of your busy life to focus on yourself!

I didnt have an endoscopy, just an upper GI. You swallow barium, which is nasty, and I also had to swallow these crystal things that bubbled up as you swallowed it like ginger ale on steroids. It was to expand everything for the best view on the xray, they said. Then you get on the table, which tilts, and they have you go up and down, roll around, breathe, hold your breath - they take a bunch of xrays in rapid succession and watch as the barium travels down your esophagus and through your stomach.

It wasn't awful, but you do it on an empty stomach and I felt pretty gross and gassy after wards. I almost wanted to puke when I left just to get the barium out of me, but I felt better once I had some food. I'd suggest bringing some gas-x or something for afterward.

And PS - you have to do an upper GI post op too to check for leaks. It was way worse then, because you aren't allowed anything to drink until the day after surgery when they can do the leak test - and then you're swallowing this barium on an empty, small, swollen stomach. They want you to swallow more than you really can because otherwise it's not enough for the contrast, and you're rolling around on the table right after surgery when you're hurting... I mean, the radiologist and tech were very nice at the hospital I was at and helped me and were patient with me, but it was still unpleasant for me. But then you go back to your bed and get happy meds and sleep it off!

You'll get through it - just steps down the road to where you want to be!

Good luck!

Thank you ladies!!..wow after surgery I know thats gonna hurt..im bad at taking the sugar water they make you take when you do the diabeties test ..butni know its all apart of the bigger picture to a healthier me

Hi There, my endoscopy was quick and easy. It was done before I even knew it was over and painless too. My psych eval. was also quick and easy. I met with the psychiatrist once and she asked basic questions like about my eating patterns/habits and a few other simple questions. I also did the sleep study and that went well too. I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, my insurance supplied me with a c-pap machine which honestly I only use on and off and lately its been more off then on...lol I'm terrible, I know. But that thing can be very uncomfortable to sleep with, not to mention...not sexy at all if you know what I mean, lol. I've also done the ultrasound, chest xray, exercise stress test, pulmonology test, and in few weeks I see the nutritionist. So pretty much I've almost completed all my pre-op appointments. Although, you mentioned the upper GI exam, and I'm wondering if that's on the check list my surgeon gave me. I'll have to check. So the deal with me is that, for past 3 years my pcp has been after me to get this surgery done. In that time I have been seriously procrastinating on the whole thing. I have been however researching which bariatric surgery I want to get done and carefully examining the pro's and con's with each. Add to that, that I'm a nursing student who graduates in a few weeks, who was always afraid that the healing process and getting accustom to my new stomach would get in the way of school. But the wait is over! This summer I'm getting it done. I'm not scared so much as I am worried about the entire process. I know the outcome will lead to a healthier, happier me, and I'm not going to wait anymore. I wish you all best Christina0613 in your VST journey, graduation, and the new semester. I'll be taking classes in the fall myself, so like you I definitely want to have the surgery done asap. ~Carmen

Thank you Carmen !!.. my surgerons nurse told me if I get diagonosed with sleep apena I have to use the c-cap for a month to see what my levels would before they would do the surgery