Who has had an MRI since sleeve surgery?

[MissMerryberry 43]

So, I had sleeve surgery in July this year (2022). I didn't even think about the fact that they use titanium staples. I've had MRIs before, but they were all pre-surgery. I asked a bariatric nurse as well as the MRI scheduler if my sleeve surgery would cause issues with my MRI. The bariatric nurse said no because titanium staples are not magnetic. I also asked the MRI scheduler and she asked a supervisor and they said no, people with stuff like titanium hips have MRIs and they are fine. She said she'd put in a note for the radiologist stating that I have titanium staples and that I can ask the radiologist when I'm there, too...just to make sure. I'm scared that I'll get hurt

[catwoman7 10,869]

I've had several MRI's since surgery (diagnostic and part of research studies). No issues. They use titanium staples, which don't matter. They don't interfere with the MRI

[MissMerryberry 43]

40 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

I've had several MRI's since surgery (diagnostic and part of research studies). No issues. They use titanium staples, which don't matter. They don't interfere with the MRI

Thank you for sharing this, I’m just needing to hear from a few people that they’ve been ok!

[kcuster83 1,502]

Any medical staple, screw, plate. etc are not magnetic. You will be fine, don't worry. I have all kinds of nuts and bolts in my leg and have had many MRI's since then.

[ShoppGirl 3,381]

I like mayo Clinic for medical information and according to them not all surgical metal is MRI safe. Some people shouldn’t have MRI’s. My guess is they are the minority nowadays but it doesn’t hurt to ask the question. Perhaps you could ask your clinic to check the surgical notes to be certain the staples are okay. You could even ask for a copy to see for yourself. The site says that you will likely fill out a questioner before your MRI but I too need to ask these kinds of questions for my own peace of mind.

“Unless the device you have is certified as MRI safe, you might not be able to have an MRI. Devices include:

• Metallic joint prostheses
• Artificial heart valves
• An implantable heart defibrillator
• Implanted drug infusion pumps
• Implanted nerve stimulators
• A pacemaker
• Metal clips
• Metal pins, screws, plates, stents or surgical staples
• Cochlear implants
• A bullet, shrapnel or any other type of metal fragment
• Intrauterine device”

[MissMerryberry 43]

15 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

I've had several MRI's since surgery (diagnostic and part of research studies). No issues. They use titanium staples, which don't matter. They don't interfere with the MRI

I'm more worried about the staples hurting me in an MRI machine, But, hearing from everyone so far, it seems okay.

[MissMerryberry 43]

2 hours ago, ShoppGirl said:

I like mayo Clinic for medical information and according to them not all surgical metal is MRI safe. Some people shouldn’t have MRI’s. My guess is they are the minority nowadays but it doesn’t hurt to ask the question. Perhaps you could ask your clinic to check the surgical notes to be certain the staples are okay. You could even ask for a copy to see for yourself. The site says that you will likely fill out a questioner before your MRI but I too need to ask these kinds of questions for my own peace of mind.

“Unless the device you have is certified as MRI safe, you might not be able to have an MRI. Devices include:

• Metallic joint prostheses
• Artificial heart valves
• An implantable heart defibrillator
• Implanted drug infusion pumps
• Implanted nerve stimulators
• A pacemaker
• Metal clips
• Metal pins, screws, plates, stents or surgical staples
• Cochlear implants
• A bullet, shrapnel or any other type of metal fragment
• Intrauterine device”

I didn't even think about my IUD (Intrauterine device) until I saw this list. I did call my doctor's office and the radiology center and found out that my IUD is fine. Phew! I also got to talk to a surgery tech who said my titanium staples are fine, too.

[ShoppGirl 3,381]

Okay i had sleeve and just had an MRI. She asked when I had it so I guess if your earlier out it may matter but I was fine.

[Rebecca Stinnett 5]

Hello! I’m 8 months post-op. ( February 15,2022). Doing well, 89 pounds down. Having trouble eating, drinking fine. Any information from post 8 months or longer.

[ShoppGirl 3,381]

2 minutes ago, Rebecca Stinnett said:

Hello! I’m 8 months post-op. ( February 15,2022). Doing well, 89 pounds down. Having trouble eating, drinking fine. Any information from post 8 months or longer.

I am a year and a half out. I don’t have any problems eating at all. Sort of wish I had more restriction but I guess we are all different. It’s a little unusual to be having issues still at 8 months have you spoken to your team to make sure nothing is going on?

[Rebecca Stinnett 5]

Thank You, yes I’ve spoke to my team. I’m doing a pouch reset, just to see if I can resume food again. Just started this week. I’ve always been able to drink, but trouble with food intake since surgery. Team also says everyone is different and tolerant at different times.

[MissMerryberry 43]

Okay so to circle back - I had the MRI - I literally told like EVERY nurse/technician etc on my way in to my MRI that I had staples in my stomach and an IUD. I asked each one if it was okay, just to make absolutely sure. They all assured me that I would be okay...and I was!! Titanium staples are not magnetic, haha! Also an IUD that is inserted by a physician or a medical provider in the USA is going to be plastic. If it was inserted outside of the United States, check with the doctor to find out what they used and what it was made of

[KimA-GA 540]

My surgeon told me the 25th of Oct that he uses titanium staples that are fine for MRI…

I had to schedule a spinal MRI for after surgery (separate issue from surgery) and they won’t see me until 1 month post op to do an MRI so it’s scheduled for the beginning of December… so

surgery may delay an MRI post op but won’t eliminate it.

[MissMerryberry 43]

Just now, KimA-GA said:

My surgeon told me the 25th of Oct that he uses titanium staples that are fine for MRI…

I had to schedule a spinal MRI for after surgery (separate issue from surgery) and they won’t see me until 1 month post op to do an MRI so it’s scheduled for the beginning of December… so

surgery may delay an MRI post op but won’t eliminate it.

Yeah, getting an MRI within a month of any surgery that is near the area the MRI will be taking pictures of makes the MRI pointless cause its all a mess! I had to get an MRI on my spine, too...for a different issue and I had to wait until I was at least 1 month out of surgery, they preferred 3 months, which is when I did it.