Can you have a scope done after RNY?

A couple of months ago I had a period of about 10 days where everything I ate felt like it was "stuck" deep in my throat & it just sat there like a big lump for a few minutes and there was some discomfort. Then it would go down & it was fine until the next bite. My doctor sent me for another Upper GI & it showed no ulcers, growths or lesions of any type - just severe acid reflux, which we knew about. She also booked a visit with a Gastroenterologist for this coming Friday. The problem swallowing only lasted a week, then it went away & I haven't had any problems since then.  I'd like to cancel the consult with the Gastroenterologist since I no longer have the problem.  I'm just wondering, if this problem ever returns, can the doctors still do a scope on someone who has had gastric bypass surgery?

Thanks, Deb

Yes they use endoscopies to find strictures and ulcers. They could not of course, do one on the remnant stomach, but they can on the pouch.

Dawn

Thanks Dawn - that's exactly what I was wondering! I appreciate the quick reply!
In that case, I think that I will cancel the consult with the gastroenterologist for this Friday. If the problem arises after surgery at any time, I now know that I can have one then, so I feel better knowing this. I have a 2 day stress test at Met Hospital, tomorrow & Tuesday (they said 4 hours each day), then driving up to Toronto on Sunday for my PATTS next Monday at TWH - time is flying!

Deb

Chances are your GERD will be gone after surgery (at least for the first while). I know John's is all gone now. 

One thing Dr. Reed mentioned to him was that early out if he ever felt that he was having GERD that it was probably that he'd eaten too much.   I guess the signal to the brain given for over eating is the same one as the GERD signal, so a lot of people mix the two signals up and think that there GERD is back when it isn't - that they've just eaten too much.

Dawn

That's good to know as well - I'll print this off to place in my binder for later reference. I think that I'll likely be overly cautious at first with the amount of food I eat - I think that so many folks are afraid of overeating & hurting their pouch.

I wasn't aware that the GERD might be eliminated after WLS so that's a plus.  What good news for John! I'm hoping to see the end of my Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Eliminating the sleep apnea would be fantastic but I'm really not expecting that to happen.  Anything I can be free of is a real victory to me!

Thanks, Deb

 Just a thought,  you might want to check out with your doctor or bariatric centre that its okay to cancel the scope test.  They want it before surgery to ensure their isn't a problem that they need to be aware of.  I would be afraid that cancelling might delay surgery...so double check if in doubt.

Hi Sandy - thanks for that suggestion but none of the doctors asked for a scope, only an  Upper GI, which I did back in May 2011 as part of my bariatric testing & all it showed then was acid reflux. I asked my family doctor to send me for another Upper GI just recently when I had the problem swallowing & she also booked me for a consult with a gastro doc & a possible scope, if necessary, simply as a precautionary measure as it takes a while to get in to see the gastroenterologist she likes to use.  Since the Upper GI showed nothing at all, I just feel that the scope is not needed at this point, especially since I've had no problems swallowing since then. Believe me, if my bariatric docs wanted me to do the scope, I would definitely do it. All of my tests came back positive, with no problems.  Due to a past history of some cardiac issues, the risk assessment specialist I saw at TWH did ask me to have a new stress test and echocardiogram done and fax the results to him along with a note of approval from my cardiologist, so I've done the Echo & I'm doing the stress test tomorrow & Tues. & I will take hard copies of everything with me when I go up for my PATTS in a week.  I find that things tend to go astray up there at TWH sometimes.....lol!

Thanks, Deb

OMG Deb, you are getting closer to surgery.  YAY!

Oh Judy, I know! I still don't really believe it!  You know what? I still am worrying that when I go up in a week for my PATTS, they're going to turn to me and say, "Oh, sorry, we made a mistake - you don't qualify for surgery".  Isn't that crazy? I will be SO happy when I wake up in the recovery room & they tell me that my surgery was done & it was successful.....LOL!

Deb

LOL, You have already qualified for surgery that is why you have a date and are doing PATTS!

It is kind of surreal though anyways.  When you travel back to the hospital for the actual surgery day, get changed into the hospital gown, get the hospital bracelet on, etc., it is really happening then.   May 11th will be here soon.

All the best and big hugs to you.

Judy