Question:
Does anyone have info on the new pill-size camera?

I saw this on the news the other day. It's a super-tiny camera that they put in a capsule that the patient swallows so doctors can see the whole digestive tract. It was a short news clip and I couldn't get a good look at the camera-pill. From the quick flash, it seemed that the pill was alittle large, but I could be wrong. If the docs need to take a look inside, would us post-ops be able to use this camera-pill or are we stuck with endoscope only? I've never had to have endoscope but I'm fearful for when I do need it. I'm fearful about the gagging I expect I'd have with a tube in my throat.    — lalasmommy (posted on August 3, 2001)

August 3, 2001
I have no answer about the pill..but I wanted to ease your mind about the scoping...It is nothing to have done. I have had to be done 4 times I think.....they give you something to relax you and I only gagged one time.. You hardly even notice it going in at all....it is really nothing to worry about...honest
   — Sharon F.

August 3, 2001
I read just today that the camera pill is about the size of a grape and must be swallowed whole (I'm not sure a WLS patient could swallow this and tolerate it). It stays in your digestive tract a couple of days taking picures all the way down and transfers them to a belt you wear,this is where the images are stored. Then the pill desinagrates and you pass it. The cost for each pill is $450.00. As for my experience with the endoscopy they are no problem. They give you medicine to make you groggy, and when you wake up it is over.
   — Lynda T.

August 3, 2001
I also read that the pill is NOT a substitute for endoscopy but must be used in combination with it, according to the manufacturer. It does let them see further into the intestines than the scope but doesn't show enough stomach detail to subsitute for the scope. It does not disintegrate, but the battery dies before it gets all the way through you. For $450, that seems like a bug they should fix! They say it takes 24-72 hours to be excreted and since they are not reusable there's no point looking for it. :-) They only tested it in 57 patients as the FDA considered it a different way of delivering an endoscope test. I dug up info about the testing and no WLS patient was part of the trial. Don't think I'd want to be the guinea pig! HTH
   — Julia M.