i have to go for an upper endoscopy before i can get my band. the thought of swallowing a camera on a stick freaks me out SO BAD!:thumbup:

has anyone here had an upper endoscopy? what was your experience??

I have to have one to on the 27th. They told me I would get someting to knock me out (she said the good stuff lol). So I would not feel a thing.

You'll be sedated; don't worry. It won't hurt you or traumatize you. :thumbup:

I was NOT sedated! I was completely and totally awake! They sprayed my throat with some awful tasting numbing stuff and away they went. I had to swallow swallow swallow and then just breathe. It was really hard and I was gagging throughout but it took less than 2 minutes. Once they get it down, the worst is over. I worked in a hospital for a long time and I have seen it done both ways...with and without sedation and with really good sedation and with just a little something to help relax. If you get the really good stuff...plan on being there about 2 or 3 hours afterwards and either way having someone to drive you home. If you get no sedation, you can leave right away and drive yourself. LOL Either way, don' t be scared. Even without the sedation, I made it through...HTH

Hello

I have had two....one was not related to the banding process. I was asleep both times. When you wake and later you may or may not have a slight sore throat and you might feel like you have to either lightly cough or clear your throat. Don't be afraid....there is nothing to it. Just remember this is just one step closer to what you have been waiting for. :thumbup:

ETA: It's over before you know it.

Just FYI...at least locally, sedation is the "default". If you don't want to be sedated (and some don't) you have to clear it. So check w/the doc who will be doing the test and tell him/her you want sedation (assuming you do). If he won't accommodate you, find another.

Thanks all you made me feel better! :thumbup:

I was sedated... don't know a thing. no sore throat later either.

My "sedation" didn't knock me out but made me very fuzzy and relaxed. They give you a pain med then a traquilizer, I had issues because I take pain killers all the time for back problems so they didn't fully make me sleep. But the one thing I want you to know is that you won't be able to drive for one whole day and no crunchy or spicy foods after. It wasn't bad at all, you will be just fine. I was just mad I couldn't drive hours later.