EGD/Scope

I AM FREAKING OUT!!!!!!!!!

When I made my appointment with Dr. Katz's office, they said he would probably want to do a scope.  Of course I'm looking info. up online and now I'm panicking.  I had to have my stomach pumped before and having that tube down my throat was the worst experience ever.

I need some stories from anyone that has had it done.  Be honest....tell me how bad it was!  I was kind of hoping that they would just knock me out for it, but the more I read the more it looks like that won't happen.

As bad as I want to know what's going on with old pouchie-poo, I am considering scrapping the whole idea because I just don't think I can do this!

Brenda,

I haven't had it done, but everyone that I talk with from Dr. Woods office (it's now a pre-surgical re.) sa they don't remember it.  They do put you out.Or at least you don't remember it.  I'm ving a colonscopy on Friday and I did ask if they could do both together.  But I guess they don't.

I had two scopes for strictures.  Is this what kind you mean?  It is simple.  You are put out and wake up fine, not even groggy.  Then you get your results about 10 min later (at least I did)!  Jimi

Have u talked to Dr B about whats going on?? Maybe do that b4 u do this?  I dont know- just am concerned :)

Shan-
U of M sucks now!!
I met with new NUT and Bill.  Told them both I'm concerned about gaining A LOT of weight no matter how much exercise I do and how low my calorie count is.  New NUT said maybe I am "eating more fast food then I realize".  I faxed over copies of my FitDay and asked if she could call me with suggestions.  (Still eating around 1200-1400 cals a day).  The admin assistant said I had to come in for an appointment.  I told her it's impossible for me to take time off of work to come in to discuss my diet.  They said there was no other way to do it. 

I asked Bill if I could have a scope done because I have no restriction any more and suspect pouch/stoma stretching.  Bill said "so what if it is?  There isn't anything that can be done about that."  He also said that Birkmeyer doesn't believe in revision or follow up for anything like that.

If I had just 20 lbs. or so to lose, I would say ok, just buckle down and do it.  But I stopped losing at 18 months and have steadily gained ever since.  I never even got close to my goal.  I need to realistically lose about 70 lbs. and I know I can't do that with just diet and exercise.  I feel like something else is going on......

So I'm exploring other options.  I feel like U of M kind of wrote me off, so now I'm writing them off. 
Oh yeah, then I requested my labs after my 3 year visit.  My ferritin level was a 2, which is pretty bad.  I called Bill and asked him if I should be worried about that.  Again, I felt like no one thought it was a big deal.  He told me to follow up with my PCP.

If you feel it, they are doing it wrong.  I'm pretty darned sure that they did an endoscopy on you before you had your RNY.  Do you remember it or does your paperwork talk about it? 

They do a twilight sleep thing, spray some local numbing stuff in the back of your throat and that's all you remember until you wake up in the recovery area.  You might have a slightly scratchy throat afterward.  I've had two scopes, only had the scratchy stuff once and was fine by the next morning.  The biggest pain was getting someone to drive me home afterward as they won't let you drive for 24 hours so the anesthetic can get out of your system.

Realistically, how else are they going to see what is going on there?  

I didn't have to have one done pre-RNY.  I probably would have used that as another excuse to chicken out of surgery if they had required it.

Now I'm a little more grown up, but still a big fat chicken!  I know it needs to be done, just have to bite the proverbial bullet and do it.

I've had 3 endoscopies (non wls related).  Was out all 3 times and woke up a little groggy after each.  Didn't remember or feel a thing.  If you're nervous about it, they'll probably give you something for it!

 Hey Brenda,


You may have not had a scope before your surgery. Sometimes they schedule the endoscope and if they see that there is a stricture, they fix it, if the area looks stretched, they will do the scleraherapy at that time. They give you conscious sedation medicine(normally versad) and believe me, most times you do't remember what happened. I have had several scopes. You are not awake other than when they give you the medicine- 
It really is a good way to see what is going on down there t help solve the problem. 
Good luck.
Amy H

Ok, I'm feeling better now.  Thanks guys.