WLS Seminar

I went to my future surgeon's weight loss seminar. It was very informative, and his entire team seems to be kind and caring. Imagine my horror however, when I looked at the sheet and discovered a colonoscopy was on the test list. I knew that I would have to have an endoscopy, but never in my wildest dreams did I think the tube would be on the "other end".  I was told that they can do both at the same time. I just hope they don't use the same tube. LOL. In all seriousness I don't care how many tests I have to do to get my lap band.

They are easy peasy to do. You are out for the tests so don't even know what's going on.

Colonoscopy is no big deal...the drug they give you is actually pretty pleasant!  The prep is awful, but it goes fast.  My first colonoscopy found 3 large polyps and one that was precancerous, so essentially it saved my life.  My second one (3 years later) was completely clear and I am good for 4 more years.  I didn't have to have an endoscopy, but I did have a barium swallow upper GI that resulted in my hiatal hernia (and cause of years of heartburn) being diagnosed, which was repaired during my band surgery.

By the time you are done, you'll feel pretty good about having all the screenings...

I wonder if that test is a new one for band patients or just to some Dr's?  I've never heard of it being one of the pre-tests! At least you won't have to have another one for quite awhile. Good luck on your weight loss journey!

I am always amazed how may tests you have in the US! Not sure whether we in the UK are too casual or you in the US are over-careful!! But it certainly is different!!

Why do you need a colonoscopy? Is it just as a general health check? I can't see how it relates to being banded. (Not critical, just being curious!)

Kate

Kate,
I wish I could answer your question about all the tests we have to have here in the US. It could be a number of things; maybe the biggest one is how our insurance works here in the US. I guess the doctors here in the US want to know if the "plumbing" works before they begin any sort of reconstruction. I am also 50 and that is the magic number here in the US to begin getting colonoscopies.

Stacy