Barium swallow\leak test

 what exactly is done in this test and are you awake for it.  Does it hurt?  

 The leak tests I had in Mexico was just swallowing a clear liquid while they did basically an X-ray to visualize the sleeve . You get a video of it . Also he has you drink a blue liquid and then you wait to see if it comes out in your drain . Neither hurts at all . The clear liquid isn't the best tasting though 

The test takes maybe 10-15 minutes.  Not painful at all, but not overly pleasant.  The test starts with ingesting some granules that cause your stomach to become gassy.  These are washed down with a small sip of water.  Immediately after consuming these the test begins with big swallows of the barium, which is a thick, white chalk-like substance that sort of tastes like pepto-bismol.  Several x-rays are taken as the barium is going through your digestive tract.   Some taken while standing, but the majority taken while you are lying down.  You will be asked to roll over while laying on the x-ray table as the x-rays are taken.  I would imagine this is so the barium coats your entire stomach.  The actual test is short and sweet, but I would say the effects of the barium last 24 hours or more.  I found my stomach was rock-hard afterwards.  It didn't hurt, but I felt very bloated, so I drank lots of water and club soda in an attempt to get some relief. 

I think there is a difference between a leak test and the barium swallow.  I can't see them giving anyone the "gas granules" to a new sleeve (I thought they tasted a litle minty and had the effect of 'pop rocks - like when we were kids")  The barium swallow is to test for any reflux or hiatus hernia (which can be aggravated with a smaller stomach as any excess food can irritate this area, so if you are prone to that, Dr. Vergis recommends the RNY over the sleeve)

From what I read, the leak test is like what Rainyone described.  I am not sure if they leak test people who are done here unless they suspect something sinister.  Dr. Vergis told me that they can usually tell pretty quick (within hours) if a person is having a leak. 

Anyone have any experience with a leak  - didn't Camrose have a misfire/leak?

I had the barium swallow on Wednesday and I have a bad gag reflex and for me it was awful but at least it is now over - I also talked to Andrea and was told that I may not have my surgery until November or December because of the summer slow down - anyone else hear that?  She also said that they cancelled 7 surgeries for this summer for the slow down

 This Barium swallow test doesn't sound very good, I am glad I am getting the other test that Rainyone had.  Choskins there have been cancellations in the Manitoba program, I hope things improve for the program and no one has to wait too long. 

Yes, it is exactly as Justlori described. You only get a very small amount of water, so shoot the granules back and swallow quick because they start fizzing up right away. It doesn't het at all. Drink lots and lots of water afterwards to try to get rid of it ASAP otherwise you are going to be very constipated. No need to fret over it,
Barb

 the barium swallow wasnt as bad as i thought...the hardest thing was the nurse told me not to burp after the first fizzing liquid...which made me feel like a chugged soda and i wanted to burp so bad...the nurse told me the chalky liquid was fruit flavored.....not at all...haha im the worst with having a bad gag reflex and i survived i think anyone can!! good luck :)

Gee... not sure what the pop rock fizzy stuff you're talking about is.... yes, a barium swallow CAN be used as a leak test. It's not too bad, it doesn't hurt one bit. Usually the barium is a thicker liquid; the one in Mexico tasted like banana, the one here at The Grace Hospital tasted like vanilla. You just take a few sips while they do live x-ray (flouroscopy) and they can tell if there's a leak. If you have barium, just remember to drink lots of water afterwards as you don't want it sitting in your intestines for a long period of time as it can harden. With the amount you need for a leak test, though, that's not nearly as much of a risk.

The barium swallow that is done pre operatively here for the VSG starts with gas granules (aka pop rocks - lol).  The gas expansion (like eno) in your stomach and esophagus allow for better coating of the barium.  It is followed by a thick barium solution (to coat everything) and then by thinner liquids (where the floroscopy part comes in, to watch you swallow and make sure everything is working as it should with no stomach issues (ulcers, reflux, etc.) 

this would not be the post operative test they do for leaks.  Those gas granules would blow your suture line up!! or at the very least, not feel so good.  Dr. Vergis says that they don't do post op leak tests here.  He says that they can tell if there is a problem with post op observation.  Hmmmm I would feel better with a little swallow test...........just to make sure