upper GI/ Barium Swallow

Good Morning Everyone,

My case has finally cleared clinical review with my bariatric team. On Tuesday I was given a whole list of appointments leading up to and including my consult with the surgeon. These appointments are an abdominal ultra-sound (even though I don't have a gallbladder), an upper GI, visits with the nutritionist and Physicians Assistant, and lastly the surgeon consult.

Yesterday morning I had to report to the hospital x-ray dept. for the upper GI. I showed up early (before they opened) because I have a severe allergy to hand-sanitizer. It affects my breathing real bad. I have COPD and asthma. It is real hard to keep away from the stuff especially in a hospital setting. They ended up putting me in the ladies dressing room before anyone else came in. Then they forgot about me. About 45 minutes later another patient came in and was having the same procedure done except, she was having her whole gastro tract filmed not just her esophagus and stomach. They took her in first because her procedure is done in steps. After her first step, they took me in and did mine.

The procedure entailed taking a small gulp of this fizzy liquid that was like pop-rocks in soda. Then they told me not to burp. Then they stood me up against this rotating table. They handed me this cup of barium that I was to sip. It was an awfully thick, white, heavy, nasty, yucky, could barely keep it down liquid. Keep in mind the whole time I am doing this the lady they took in before me is barfing here brains out back in the ladies changing room (right next door). I could hear every hurl. All the nurse said was, "that shouldn't happen to you," as I am nearly "losing it" after every sip.

After several x-rays of me standing they rotated the table to the laying position. They had me flip over onto my belly and back a couple of times in order to get the barium to fully coat my stomach. They took a few more slides and I was done. They had me get dressed in the x-ray room because of the mess from the "puking patient".

I was so glad to get out of there and get some coffee in me. BTW, I forgot to mention you are NPO (nothing by mouth) after midnight the night before the procedure. The only side affect the nurse warned me about was possible constipation and white bowel movements. Later that day I had to go on an errand for work. What a mistake. I had to poop so bad I almost had an accident at the store I was at. Well, constipation wasn't a problem.

So, here I am waiting for my next appointment which is a week from Monday. I have 3 appointments the second week of July. Then I have my consult with the surgeon on my birthday in the middle of July. I was told it usually takes 1 to 2 weeks after the consult for the scheduling coordinator to call you with a surgery date. Typically they schedule them 5-6 weeks out. From my estimate I should be sleeved sometime in the end of August or beginning of September.

So far it has been a long journey. I started this whole process last November. But, time seems to be flying by. But if you think about it, my weight issues have been a life-long journey. It's just a matter of finally being able to obtain the tools to keep it under control.

Good Luck to Ya'll