Pre-testing anxiety!

Hi everyone. I just joined today as I was just approved for the Band on the 24th. My surgery is with Dr. Roslin on 6/27. I'm excited and terrified. I'm FREAKING out about swallowing the barium and that whole test. I'm just bad with swallowing nasty stuff. and I hear many conflicting things on this. I am hoping to at least put my mind to rest about it if I know the facts. Would you all please share with me your experiences with the barium swallow thing, especially if you had it done at Lenox Hill? Even if you had it done elsewhere, was it awful to drink? How much do you have to drink? Do you have to drink it more than once? Is it very high pressure to drink it at a certain time? Is it chilled? I know this sounds nuts, but this is the one thing I have REALLY been concerned with out of everything I will have to endure. Any info you could share with me on this would be a tremendous help. I am having it done at Lenox Hill. Thanks soooooooo much, and I'm glad to be a part of the journey with all of you! :) -Stephanie

Hi Stephanie, Don't worry about the barium swallow test. It wasn't that bad. Yes the stuff is a little vile, but I didn't gag from it. If I remember correctly, you drink a little bit, they take some pictures, then you drink a little more and they move you in a different position and take more pictures. It didn't take that long- maybe 15 minutes? Just keep yourself focused on why you're doing this, the test will be over quickly and that will be it! then you can look forward to other things. I think you will make it worse if you think too much about it, and its really not that bad, so don't worry. Good luck to you! Ida

Hi, I did not have surgery at Lenox Hill but Danbury, CT. I will be honest and say my experience with the barium swallow was not good, but not tragic either. I just found it to be scary because it was the first thing I swallowed after surgery, and it felt new to me. Once it's over you will forget about it. I would do the surgery again in a heartbeat, and would not let the barium stop me Kristine

~Stephanie~ Hello! Your not alone I am sure of that, not knowing makes the anxiety grow, so educate yourself and lessen that anxiety ok!!! I have had 3 different tests, #1 an UPPER GI ENDOSCOPY, this was needed preop (I am not a bandster I had RNY) but althought this was NOT pleasant in anyway shape or form, It was a small price to pay for such a wonderful gift! It didn't last that long and heck we can all get through something for a while right! The power of our minds can help or hinder that. POSITVIE AFFIRMATIONS (I can do this, this will be okay, I am strong) keep saying them over and over in your head will help (vs the opposite of OH MY GOODNESS this will be awful etc!) #2 after RNY leak test was an upper GI w/ gastrograffin (different contrast than barium), it was the first thing day 2 I was allowed to drink, at that point I didn't care what they gave me I wanted to know I didn't have a leak and could start fluids!!! It wasn't great but it was a small amount and was over before long! #3 at 4 weeks out post RNY I had issues, a stricture, so I needed an upper GI w/ barium as well as a CT scan w/ contrast (drinkable, and then IV) now when your nauseated, been vomiting, do not know what the heck is wrong, and in pain who wants to drink anything, well I felt so awful I wanted to know so I got past that then! (power of the mind), after discovering I had adhesions closing off my intestines (can happen whenever someone has abdominal surgery of anykind) I needed a 2nd surgery to cut them, then another Upper GI w/ barium, again not pleasant but not awful! I'd go thru all 3 tests again in a heartbeat! Here are a few links to read to get more educated! Knowledge is power! Be well! http://www.radiologyinfo.org/content/upper_gi.htm http://www.medicinenet.com/upper_gi_series/article.htm http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003816.htm http://www.radiologychannel.net/upperGI/ Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510 "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Thank you so much Jamie, Kristine and Ida for your input. I figured it was something I would survive, I just wanted to know what to expect. What did the stuff taste like? Was it thick, was it cold? How much did you have to drink, if you want to approximate for me in terms of a cup, a can of soda, etc? Thanks again!! :) -Stephanie

Stephanie, I'm schedule for the Band at Lenox Hill on July 18. I've been through an upper GI. The first time I cancelled my appointment due to nerves. I then did my research and it was fine for round two. I drank a small cup. I would say no more then a dixie cup I compare the taste to alka seltzer. I then had several x-rays. The radiologist had me swallow once again and yet another set of x-rays. It was over. The radiologist view the films and everything was fine. It took last then an hour. Hope this helps Joy