Meeting with the surgeon on Monday, which is my final step. I don't know what to expect other than he will review my diet and exercise and discuss the surgery. Really excited and scared at the same time. If he approves, will pick surgery date! Wondering if everyone has endoscopy?

Hi MBM1Forever,

My surgeon doesn't require a scope. I think it depends on the surgeon or if they think its needed. My surgeon only requires extensive blood panels and heart test. I'm just waiting for insurance approval to schedule my surgery. I am having the same feelings as you excited one day and freaked out the next. Good Luck !

Absolutely everyone should have a scope done. I found that I had two small developing ulcers and when they performed the biopsy they found that I had H Pylori! They gave me a round of antibiotics that I had to take for two weeks just to get rid of everything. Who knew? I felt fine. I had heard of those who did not have this test done and found that they had Pylori after the bypass procedure and ended up back in the hospital. I am telling you and everyone else to have it done please.

No scope? Mine was easy breezy with no sore throat.

I thought they also use this to check the stomach presbytery as well.

I pretty much have had a look everywhere. My "physical" is now pretty complete. I even made a copy for me and my son, in case something happens. I thought he should know what he inherited. LOL!

My surgeon requires it. It was no big deal really.

There really is a lot of variation in practice! Makes me wonder if these variations don't contribute to the success and complications for some with this surgery. I can only hope that my doctor is doing the very best?

They requested I have a H. Pylori Stool test. It went by that name specifically even though they just gave me a specimen bottle to take home like any other stool test. I understand they're looking for a particular form of bacteria.

I had an endoscopy back in 2011. They did it under conscious sedation. I hear they do under full sedation now. I hope so because it wasn't pleasant (for me anyway).