Question:
Post ops who've had endoscopy please help......

I have just undergone an Upper GI, and am now scheduled to have an endoscopy with the balloon to stretch my anastamosis. I would like to know a few things from those of you who have undergone this procedure. First, how many of you needed to have it done multiple times vs. only once? Secondly, how does it change your eating? Third, if anyone would like to share what exactly the procedure entails, I could use some knowledge simply for comfort. All my surgeon did was tell me it was scheduled. Thanks so much in advance.    — Tracy L. (posted on September 7, 2001)

September 7, 2001
I had to have the endoscopy done at about 4 wks post op. Before I couldnt eat or hardly drink anything without throwing up. Taking vitamins was awful. The procedure was nothing, I was so scared before, but was only in the hospital a total of 3 hrs, from beginning to end. Really was not bad at all. I have not thrown up since, I can eat, no pain. The difference was almost immediate. I have not had to have it done again either.
   — Christy J.

September 7, 2001
I had to have the endoscopy done at about 4 wks post op. Before I couldnt eat or hardly drink anything without throwing up. Taking vitamins was awful. The procedure was nothing, I was so scared before, but was only in the hospital a total of 3 hrs, from beginning to end. Really was not bad at all. I have not thrown up since, I can eat, no pain. The difference was almost immediate. I have not had to have it done again either.
   — Christy J.

September 7, 2001
I had to have the endoscopy stretch done 2 times once at about 4 week then again at about 7 weeks. I couldn't even drink water by the time I went in to have it done. It was such an easy procedure. I was also nervous the first time but they gave me a twilight sleep which isn't like going under and they did the procedure in 10 minutes, I went home that day and had soup then the next day I was fine to resume my diet at the time which was still soft foods, after the second time I resumed my diet in a day. I am now 7 months post op and not had any problems. Don't worry to much about it....or try not to. It doesn't hurt at all!
   — [Anonymous]

February 8, 2004
I had to have an endoscopy 4 times! Two times to check for stricture and two times to have my stomach stretched. I was feeling really depressed about having to have it done so many times, but when things finally "got right" I was really happy. I can eat and not get sick, I rarely-if ever-have trouble with dumping or food "getting caught". I feel so blessed to have had my surgery. And about the endoscopy itself, it's really not a big deal at all. You get some drug that makes you not even know what's going on! I was terrified to have it done then I felt silly for being so scared of it.
   — Amy H.