Question:
I'm wondering if my post-op upper GI/leak test was done correctly.

Hi. I'm 5 weeks post-op (open distal RNY) and something has been bothering me. Thinking back, the next morning after my surgery, they took me down to radiology to have the upper GI/barium X-ray/leak test (or whatever it was called) to test for leaks at the new intestine-connection to the pouch. I was given this liquid to drink that tasted like plain water (in fact, I remember the guy telling me to "drink the WATER"), and then I layed under an x-ray for an hour. What I'm concerned about is, if I was actually given barrium, wouldn't it have tasted horrible or is barrium tasteless like water? I thought I read about many of you folks who were given terrible tasting stuff for this test. If I wasn't given barrium and I was indeed given water, would water have shown up on the x-ray? Something tells me I DON'T THINK SO! Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think surgeons actually see the x-rays for themselves, but rather they go by a REPORT from the radiologist stating that things were normal or abnormal, right? So this radiologist could have just decided to take a shortcut (maybe they ran out of barrium or something) and then just reported to my surgeon that everything was normal. Am I sounding paranoid? Ha! I've never heard of people developing paranoia right after WLS!    — lalasmommy (posted on June 26, 2001)

June 26, 2001
Hi Alexandria, For my test I tasted nothing either because they poured it down the ng tube or g tube or whatever I had to pour it into! I had both tubes and have never understood the difference! Anyhow, my husband was there with me and watched the entire procedure. He saw my tiny pouch and he thought it was very very interesting. I wish I could've seen it but I was laying on the table and the screen was behind me. He defintely saw there was not a leak. I shouted "halleujuah" when it was over cause then I got the tube out and got to drink crystal lite. I don't think the radiologist would take a short cut. They wouldn't even do the test if they had no barium. My surgeon doesn't even do them now as he feels they are unnecessary and if you had a leak, they could tell before you left hospital. I am glad I had one!
   — Marilyn C.

June 26, 2001
First even if they did make a mistake you are fine, a leak would of showed up long ago. So relax.... It does sound peculiar but just maybe you arent rembering right from the anthestic and everything? I would ask your surgeon at your next visit.
   — bob-haller