Question:
Barium Swallow
I am scheduled for a barium swallow next week. I have two concerns, is there concern for radiation exposure and will it harm my pouch in any way? The doctor doing it has no prior experience with gastric bypass and I am too far from my surgeon to go back to him. I am hungry a lot and have been gaining weight even after never getting closer to 50 lbs. from my goal weight. Please advise. Thanks. — Linda K. (posted on August 3, 2002)
August 3, 2002
I'd call my WLS doc to check on it.
— KCAllen77
August 3, 2002
I had to have a barium swallow twice immediately after my surgery, once to
see if I had a leak (I did) and once a few days later to see if it had
healed (luckily it had). I would think if this is how they tested for leaks
you should have no problems, but I agree about calling your surgeon just in
case.
— sheltie
August 3, 2002
Linda, Barium is a radioactive element. The radiation exposure in
inevitable with this procedure (or any x-ray). That should not be a worry
for you, however. Tighter restrictions have been put on the use of
radioactive equipment and supplies over the past several years. You would
have to be exposed a whole lot more that this to be in any danger of
complications from it. I had this once before my rny and the day after.
Just imagine you are drinking a very bad batch of vanilla pudding. Good
Luck.
— Tina B.
August 3, 2002
Linda, I almost forgot. Ask for a lead jacket or blanket to be placed over
the lower abdomen to protect your ovaries. It is a good idea for any x-ray
(even dental). You'll see x-ray tech. males with an apron over their groin
area to protect their testes.
— Tina B.
August 3, 2002
Linda,
I am a Radiologic technologist (x-ray tech) and an educatior in the
profession (who conveniently happens to be 3 months post op!) I'd like to
address your concerns. First of all, the radiation exposure from this exam
will far outweigh the benefits from having it done. Although you should
always be concerned about radiation exposure from x-rays, you need not
worry about the exposure. The technology has advanced so much in the past
few years that the exposure has been greatly minimized. I would also like
to clear up something from another poster. This individual stated that
barium is a radioactive element. This is an incorrect statement. Barium
is a contrast medium. Although bones can easily be visualized by an x-ray,
soft tissue organs such as our stomachs, small and large intestines,
kidneys cannot be seen that well. BY using a contrast medium, such as
barium, (when examining the digestive system) these organs can easily been
seen and how well they are functioning can be determined. Lastly, the
radiologist should be familiar with the surgery. They will take a patient
history from you---just tell them why you are having this done. Hope this
helps.
— Jennett I.
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