Question:
Do I need an endoscopy?

Hi, my surgery date is Feb 13th and I have pre-op testing on the 11th. I don't have any problems with acid reflux and I am only 21 years old. Do I still need this. I suppose I could call but I would like to hear from anyone who knows first hand what it is like or someone who didn't have to have it. Thanks.    — M. S. (posted on January 28, 2002)

January 28, 2002
I have had 3 endoscopies. The latest being 2 weeks ago. I was given iv medication and was out like a light. No pain, no memory of anything but floating on air for about 3 seconds before I went to sleep. Was awake very quickly after the procedure. And went home within 1 hr.This was a very easy, but expensive, test. I was found to have ulcers in the preop exrays and needed them to be checked out.Now I am on medication and should be healed before surgery. If the doctor says you need it, do what he says. It is not painful.
   — PATSY N.

January 28, 2002
I've had many of these, starting long before I had WLS. They are painless, and no big deal, as stated before me. IF there is anything not quite right in your tummy, you really want to know ahead of time. You do not want to be trying to fix something that isn't quite right immediately after your stomach has been surgically messed with! It's much easier to take quick peak, be sure all is normal and healthy and go in well informed. If you had h.pylori, gastritis or esophagitis (for example), it will make your recovery miserable, but fixing it FIRST makes that part a non-event.
   — vitalady

January 29, 2002
I WISH I WOULD HAVE ASKED THIS QUESTION MYSELF 3 WEEKS AGO, I TOO HAD TO HAVE ONE, AND I NEARLY DROVE MYSELF NUTS THINKING ABOUT IT, IT WAS NOT BAD AT ALL THOUGH.DONT SWEAT IT THOUGH, ITS REALLY QUICK AND PAINLESS, I HAD TO BE THERE A COUPLE HOURS EARLY AND THE DOCTOR WAS LATE,OF COURSE!! THE WAITING WAS THE WORST, DONT GIVE IT A THOUGHT, YOULL BE FINE.
   — rebecca N.