Barium Swallow...UGH

I had my barium swallow and ekg done on Friday. Let me just say, that barium was NASTY!!! About half way through of tossing and turning under the machine I felt totally nausiated! I though tI was going to die. They keep telling you to drink, ugh. If I didn't have the eventual outcome of the surgury on my mind I might have lost it right then!

Now that I have that done those things I think that they'll submit it to my insurance. Now it's just waiting! I'm hoping to have a surgury date soon because I'd like to use spring break (1st week in April) as one of my three weeks that I'll be off!

YES  that was the worst part of the pre-op testing. I think the good news is they move quickly from this point. I had my RNY through the same practice but different surgeon. I wish you all the best and congratulations on your beginning a lifetime journey.


Good Luck,
Audra

Thanks, Audra! How long was it from the time of your pre-op stuff til your surgery? You just had it not too long ago, it looks like! How are you feeling?

I did just have it in Dec., but I was approved way before that. I needed to wait till the holiday break to have 3 weeks off of work. It probably was a month or less before they were ready to do the procedure I was the one that delayed from Sept. They should have already had your insurance approval by the time you did all your testing. They always like to be sure they will get paid ha ha!

As for doing the barium after the procedure the good news is our practice does not believe in that so they do a leak test while you are in the operating room with water. They have found it to be more reliable and less drama for the patient.

It looked like you were waiting for a holiday break also. Easter I think is a much better choice than the Christmas holiday. I added alot of stress to myself doing it at the holiday you talk about and plan food day after day.

I wish you all the best, let me know if you have any more questions or would just like to chat,
Audra

Oh yes, I definitely won't ever forget that part. Sad to say, if you doctor decides to do another one after the surgery to make sure there aren't any leaks, the moving on the table is minimal, but the stuff you drink is horrible! So, just prepare your self. I didn't go through my pre-op stuff until after I had a date, so it is interesting to see that you are going through that so early. I did it about two weeks prior, on the 18th and then I had my surgery last Wednesday.

Hang in there, I know it is tough!

It will be a distant and faint memory a year from now when you are slimming down and feeling like a new woman! 

Alice

I didn't mind the barium swallow. I was so thirsty by the time I got to that test (I had almost all of the tests done on the same day), that I was glad for some liquid!  But if that is the worst of it, we are on easy street! 

I had all the tests done on the same day, too. I think because I hadn't eaten it just made me feel nasty. I was really surprised how Durham Regional got me in and out. My appointment was at 9:00 and I was out of there by around 10:30. I thought that was fast!

I was at the hospital all day!  I started with blood work, then ultrasound, upper GI series, anesthesia consult...and one other... then the psych and nutrition consult.  I started at 8:30 AM and was done finally by 5:00 PM!  The only time I had off was an hour for lunch. I was sooo tired!  But glad I only had to take one day off work.

I did the psyc consult and bloodwork on the consult day with my surgeon. The only thing I had to have done at the hospital was the barium swallow and an EKG. That was a long day for you!!!