pre-op testing

I got two emails tonight asking what my pre op testing consisted of. So since so many of us just got approved this past week I thought I would also list it here for the others that want to know. First I had to register. You need to have proof on insurance and your Indiana drivers License(this is a new requirement/a must have I was told). I didnt take mine with me since I wasnt driving and I didnt want to keep track of a purse. I just took my insurace card. So they made my mom drive across town to our hotel and get it. Then I went to have lab work done. They drew 7 vials of blood, a urine sample and a breathing test for bacteria in your intestines. Then I went to have an Ultra sound of my liver, pancrease and kidneys. Next was a Chest x-ray. Then I had the upper gi. That one was the only one I had problems with. That was so nasty. Then I had an ekg, incentive insirometer, and 2 other breathing tests for lung capacity. All in all it wasnt really bad. I got there at 8:30 and left by noon. Mariah

Personally the only reason I didnt have the surgery sooner is I didnt want an Upper GI.. Fate had it that I h ad to have an endoscope to rule out something else and I told the Dr to look good write a good report because I was going to get my stomach cut off now!! Dr accepted the results of the endoscope and so I didnt have to have the Upper GI!!! YEA!!! Glad you made it thru!!! YOU ARE Brave people... I AM the chicken!!! Linda

i had to see a dr also with mine...been 2 years but i know i did...lol...I also did not have to pee, but that upper GI needs to be done away with period...they have no improved in 33 years....LOL...they may say they have but they lied... then i had to have an upper GI about 4 months out..well no doubt i did not drink enough cos it was like cement coming out..thought for sure that gave me a blockage...and i would never be the same....LOL...

Oh man! That upper Gi was the WORST. Its bad enough when you have to drink the thick pastey stuff, but at least you can drink at your own pace. when they make you gulp the thin stuff... I tried but I gave it all right back to them in their cup!

LMAO you were so good to them to give it back to them...LMAO then the stuff that gives you gas you take...uck thats about to make me gag just thinking back to it..taste like a milk shake my ass...liars....

Thanks Mariah, Doesnt sound too bad at all. Well except for the upper GI thingy but well I guess if you can do it I can too. Blessings Christine

Thanks for the heads up! I get to go through all this on Tuesday...joy. I think I have to be there at 8:00AM. Getting to Carmel during morning rush hour will be so much fun! Sam

I guess I was fortunate. I didn't have any trouble with the upper GI. I didn't mind the taste or get constipated from the barium. But I made sure to drink even more than the 36 oz of water they recommend afterward. I had to have a lower GI and a small bowel follow thru (don't ask), though, and wound up so constipated from the barium that we won't discuss the steps I had to take to alleviate that problem! I must admit that I wasn't as good about drinking the extra fluids that time. So, be warned: DRINK MORE THAN 36 oz of water after any of these procedures to save yourself a pain the *ss later. And I mean that literally! Cindy