Question:
Is it ok for post-op lap-rny patients to drink barium?
I am supposed to have a CT abdomen scan, for possible gallstones and I am supposed to drink barium before. I was wondering if any one has also had to take barium and if you had any problems digesting or upsetting your stomach. I had lap-RNY. Also, if any of you have had gallstones or know anything about them, I could use any info you have, I am pretty worried about this. Thanks!! — kayland06 (posted on July 1, 2008)
July 1, 2008
The barium shouldn't hurt your stomach or give you any problems.
Gallstones are fairly common and I had my gallbladder out 20 years ago by
regular surgery. Now it's generally done laprascopically which makes it an
out-patient procedure. You don't need the gallbladder anyway and to be
honest, after I had mine removed I NEVER had stomach problems again.
My bypass was just last Jan. 14 and not having a gallbladder hasn't been an
issue as far as I can tell. I'm doing pretty well, have lost 80 pounds and
feel good most of the time.
Don't be scared to have the surgery. If you do have gallstones and need
the surgery then you should feel a lot better afterwards.
Hope this helps.
— cjjordan
July 1, 2008
Gall stones and Gall Bladder surgery are pretty common in people that have
had WLS.....as far as barium you need to drink a lot of water afterwards as
you don't want the barium to sit in your pouch too long....explain this to
the Tech and they should help you thru this....good luck....just to let you
know barium does not have the same effect on a RNY person....the barium
goes thru thier system much faster...that's why as a lap band patient you
want to get it out of the pouch faster. Just what I've been told. Pam / Ft
Worth
Bandster Bites [email protected]
— pphillips4720aol.com
July 1, 2008
I wonder why they just don't do an ultrasound to find out if you have
gallstones. I had to have a CT scan about a year ago and the stuff, where I
live, is usually put in pop, but I had to just have it put in water. Not
too bad. Two months before this episode, I had to have my gallbladder
removed. My surgeon used 3 of the incisions from my lap-RNY. I took 2 days
off work. Good luck. Paula
— Paula K.
July 1, 2008
I had a barium swallow test to check for leaks 2nd day post op. Keep in
mind your pouch is like a funnel, so the barium will coat the pouch,not
stay in it.
— Jen R.
July 1, 2008
I had to have the CT scan as a pre-opt. The barium drink, while not the
best tasting, did not cause me any stomach or digestive problems. I had a
good staff that was with me during the test (thanks to St. Agnes in
Baltimore) and they were kind enough to tell me to stay close to a bathroom
for the first 30 minutes AFTER the test as the drink does not stay with you
for long!
— Michelle M.
July 1, 2008
afterwards can you please let us know how the barium went. I am going to
have rny, and I cant find a good answer on how it is with barium either. Iv
had barium but not with my RNY surgery. I know that in my experience
(without the RNY) I had a difficult time going to the bathroom when it went
through my system. I would like to know how the RNY might change that.
Good luck.
— janice2007
July 1, 2008
I have had to do barium swallows often since surgery due to problems with
my surgery. The barium is fine, but if you have a sensitive system or
problems it can go right through you. If they try to give you anything that
is fizzy, tell them you had that surgery and make sure its okay with the
doctor since sometimes the techs do not realize that gastric bypass means
anything that "expands" the area is going to cause an issue.
— indigocrow
July 2, 2008
i am a nurse and wondered the same thing just in case later i have to have
a procedure done, so i asked one of our GI doctors. the most important
thing is to be sure the doctor ordering the test knows you have had RNY.
you will not need to drink as much contrast as a person with a normal
stomach. and it will probably either 1-give you the runs so make sure they
don't have you drink it too far in advance. or 2- it may constipate you so
be sure to drink plenty of water in order to flush it out, do this even if
it gives you diarrhea, because if that stuff doesn't get flushed out
completely it can cause a serious blockage. good luck, i hope this
helps....Holly
— RNlvnCARSON
July 20, 2008
when i've had to have it for diagnostic testing, I told them ahead of time.
they had me drink a small bottle at home, then a lil more in the waiting
room, and then a final small portion just before they started the
equipment. They were able to see what they needed and I was not made
uncomfortable by having to drink too much too fast.
— vitalady
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