Upper GI X-Ray

Hello All,

I am having my upper GI Xray done on the 16th and was wondering if anyone has had it done before and if they can share what it was like, what happened during the xray? is it just an xray? ive heard you have to drink something?


Thank you all in advance :)

I believe I had one of those done in the hospital before I was discharged after surgery. At least it sounds like the same thing... When I went in, they had you stand in front of a white screen and the giant xray camera took xrays of your stomach while you drink a pretty gross (sorry to say) water type drink (this is the colouring that shows up in the pictures). You have to drink it all and quite fast because they want to see the fluid travel through your system. For me, it was to check if there were any leaks with my pouch. I found this request odd because all my other nurses had told me only to drink a small amount and take breaks between sips but it wasn't too bad. After, they give you fresh plain water to drink to get the taste out of your mouth.

Overall, pretty easy! Good luck!

Yep, that's an upper GI.  Tasty! Seriously, it isn't THAT bad. 

LOL  Thank you both for the comments...I have heard from multiple people at work that the drink tastes like crap and its has a chalky taste...not looking forward to drinking the drink but am hoping that they can see all that they need to see so that they dont have to do the other thing that they have done with some others that have had surgery at that hospital which is where they stick the camera down your throat...im pretty sure they'll be able to see everytihng but im just praying :)

I think this test is a pre-op must...but I'm not 100% sure. All I know is that a lot of those having Bariatric Surgery had to get one done. I did and it was weird and nasty. First they give you a salty carbonated drink and tell you to drink it real fast while standing up on this bed they strap you to and they take the first xray shots. Then they move the bed while you are still on it and lie you down. They give you another cup of chalky thick white liquid and tell you to gulp in a series of gulps and take pics while they instruct you when to drink. Then they turn you back right side up and face you the opposite way and make you drink this light pink liquid less thick but nastier taste and instruct you how and when to gulp it. Its sick and takes forever and leaves you with a gross full feeling afterwards. Plus you are fasting already and I just couldn't eat anything after I was too grossed out. LOL. Good luck!

 i luckily didn't have to do another one pre-op because i had one done a few months before to check on my reflux (which was out of control btw!) but yup it's what they described. it's barium that you swallow and even my mom who thinks EVERYTHING tastes good said it was gross