Shacky

Noticed discussion of fills and Flouro or barium swallow. I know a little so don't take this as being an expert. My doc flouros me after he fills just to check how contrast he has me swallow flows through the band area in stomach - has nothing to do with locating the port - that's all feel. As far as flouro to barium swallow here's what I know. Barium swallow study usually includes flouro. but they also take more x-rays and they are more detailed. A quick flouro like my doc above is done without taking films or digital pictures and is just a quick check. The contrast they use can be barium, ionic iodinated like hypaque, gastroview or gastrografin, or non-ionic where the only product approved is Omnipaque. My doctor uses the ionic category. I've been trying to get him to use Omnipaque the non-ionic as it doesn't taste as bad and won't be as toxic to your GI track. Now keep in mind I sell Omnipaque so I must have some bias. But I have customers who will not give barium or the ionics if there is any risk of a perforation of the GI track as these older agents can cause problems. I've heard the ionics can give some irritation/diarrhea. Omnipaque is more expensive but much less than it was 10 ears ago when it was way too expensive to use for these studies. Bottom line is "barium swallow" is almost a generic term - they can use any of the 3 categories of contrast above. And flouro is part of it. X-rays or flouro won't show much without use of one of the contrast agents above. Hope that helps.

Anyone else get nauseous from the drink you have to take hours after surgery for X-Rays? I'm in the X-Ray business and specifically requested nonionic contrast. There is only one brand approved for oral use and it's Omnipaque - made by GE which is where I work. They didn't have Omnipaque on hand and could only use Gastroview. Gastroview is the older ionic contrast media used mostly because of cost. I believe he other ionic agent is Gastrografin and other alternative is barium. I know from my work that Omnipaque is tasteless and easier on the stomach because it's non-ionic. The ionics and barium are contra-indicated in cases where there is possible perforation. I'm going to talk to my surgeon next week about the benefits of Omnipaque. I had unbelievable nausea after the study (plus it was terrible swallowing that awful tasting Gastroview). If you have a choice - ask for Omnipaque.

Just had my surgery Monday morning at Highland Hospital with Dr. William O'Malley. Everything went well. Feel like I got punched a bunch of times in my stomach. Some gas pains but not much. Just getting nervous now that it has actually happened. My wife had banding a year ago and has lost >50 lbs. We have a little joke going about whose going to beat who. And that we'll be splitting kids meals. My wife eats more than I thought she would be able to. But also throws up a lot. She also had an obstruction in August and had to have emergency surgery to re-position. Feel like I'm transforming into vampire - like in Anne Rice books. And what is PBing?

If you're getting into vamps you oughta read that book. He drinks blood out of wine glass and notes how quickly it becomes cold. Like our shakes getting warm.

Because it's a whole different way of eating. If you read Interview With The Vampire she describes the metamorphosis so well I see an analogy.

Just found this forum while home recovering from my surgery. Looks like a great resource. Thanks to all those who put this together.