Barium - GAG!

 
Good news - I went and had all my pre-op tests done today!  Yea!

But the barium was incredibly gross!  The doctor asked me to keep from burping - but I was much more worried I was going to urp all over him!  Ugh!

Fun time with the UGI - not!  Drinking and rolling.....just thinking about it makes me queasy.

Ultrasound wasn't too bad except she pushed pretty hard to get a good 'pic' - trying to "see" between my ribs, I guess.

Blood-work was uneventful - except I was told I didn't need to fast.  Got there and the tech said I DID need to fast for at least 5 of the tests!  Called Leah at Dr Stewart's office and she said she must have 'mis-spoke' - to go ahead and have all the tests done anyway.  All I'd had was the barium.  Hope the tests are "true" and I don't have to get them redone.  She did say she would "note it" in my chart.

All in all a productive day and moving forward to my goal of surgery!!!  Yippee!

Glad that part is over with.  Now for the REAL fun - surgery and recovery!  LOL!

Just thought I'd post to share and let other pre-ops know what they may be looking at during pre-op test. :-)  Not fun, but not too bad, either. 

Julie

Good job, Julie ..   and now on to the best past soon, the DS!   


  Funny you mention barium ..  I assume Dr. S. had you do an Upper GI?   My surgeon just ordered one for me, b/c of my major regain and some bowel problems .. I have never had one before, and wondered what it would be like ..  Does the barium at least come in a high-protein/low carb version?  

 btw, Dr. S.'s office actualy (and finally) called me back the other day about doing follow-up for me ..  I tried to call them back again, but they were closed at the time ..   ugh!  

 
We are chasing each other around the forums!  LOL!

I posted to your question about the UGI on the DS forum.  You must have been posting here at the same time.  :-)

Feel free to PM me with any questions.  Seems I'm just one tiny step ahead of you in the process.....so possibly could help out in some way. 

Julie

glad you are getting there - funny on baruim - I gagged like crazy when I had it preop - last year I had to do one in the ER, just drank it, years of pounding into my head "jsut drink the dam protien shake already - it's not gonna be DQ, DQ got you fat NOT healthy "- and I just sat and sipped it down - honestly I think I have had shakes that were worse - not that I ever had agian but did try LOL

I dont think barium tastes so terrible like everyone says. Its not pleasant but I dont feel like I have to gag when I drink it either.

 
The taste was tolerable - it's the consistency that gets to me!  Sort of like drinking Elmer's Glue! (no - I have never done that - but it is the best analogy I could think of.  LOL!)

Julie

aw come on, you never even TASTED the glue when you were a kid? just joking of course *well maybe*

 
Nope - I was probably one of the few, though!  LOL!

Thought it smelled terrible......so never tasted it and couldn't understand why some kids ate it!  YUCK!

Julie 

I barely remember what it tasted like for my post-op leak test - I was just glad to be having it so I could start drinking some water!  That, and I was fascinated with watching it drizzle through my new plumbing on the ultrasound screen!

I go for pre-op March 30 and was approved for surgery April 5.  Glad you said something about the fasting.

Carleen