Hi all, last week I had to have a barium swallow because of burning in my throat... so while having the swallow done the raidiologist said that I did not have a pouch, the band was around the bottom of my esophagus... so this news upset me so I came home and called my doctor's office and they said that they looked at the test and thought my band was in the right place... but they will do another test to go down my throat with a scope and look... so I guess my question is has anyone else had the person doing the test say one thing and the Dr say another.... I would think the raidioligy doc would know what he is looking at right? and now it has been 3 days and I have not heard from my band doc on when the other test will be... I am so frustrated:confused2:

Sorry to hear about that! But stay calm! I think the radiologist was probably wrong. You would be surprised at how many medical professionals are not in tune with the Band. Wait to talk to your Band surgeon before getting too upset. Good Luck!

When I read your post I kept thinking about Dr Oz on the Oprah show. He kept illustrating the band by holding both hands out in a circle, like the thing has a six inch diameter! So no, medical professionals don't necessarily know what they are talking about. I had an endoscopy last September by a g.i. specialist, and he had never ever even heard of a lap band. Your band surgeon may be able to check your band position by a fluoroscopy without actually going in with endoscopy.

Radiologist are trained to look at films and describe what they see. They probably dont even know where it should be.

the raidiologist said that I did not have a pouch, the band was around the bottom of my esophagus... so this news upset me so I came home and called my doctor's office and they said that they looked at the test and thought my band was in the right place.

This actually sounds like it should, but I'm not a surgeon nor do I play on one tv. There might not be a significant pouch, especially if you aren't filled. It's palced right around where the esophagus and the stomach connect, about 2.5cms below if I remember correctly... an area referred to as "very top of the stomach" and "very bottom of the esophagus" (colloquially). I tend to refer to it as the bottom of the esophagus because when you say a band around the stomach, people picture something binding the stomach in half.

Hi formykids,

I had an endoscope last week & the Dr said I didn't have a pouch either. Next week I'm having a barium swallow done by my banding Dr, so hopefully he will work out what is up with my band. I was banded Sept 2005 & have only lost 11kg. I have also had a baby in this time as well. My band worked before the pregnancy, but it hasn't worked since. I like you am frustrated :confused2: as well !

Sorry to hear about that! But stay calm! I think the radiologist was probably wrong. You would be surprised at how many medical professionals are not in tune with the Band. Wait to talk to your Band surgeon before getting too upset. Good Luck!

Sorry Melodyann, you are wrong!!!

My surgeon made a crucial mistake by placing my band around my esophogeos, it was only the radiologist who discovered it. After a year of telling the surgeon what the radiologist had told me, I got another opinion and the new Doctor said the band had to be removed immidiately. The band was removed about 4 weeks later. Yes it was around the esophogeos.

So 3 years of pain was releived, if only the doctor had listened to the radiologist straight away instead he ignored him. Now I have scar tissue around my esophogeos, and I have been sleeved. I am much happier sleeved!!:huh2: