Worried About The Leak Test

[ChrisJ 44]

Surgery coming on Dec. 11. I am worried about the leak test. I have heard horror stories about people who vomit during it. I have COPD and when anything gets caught in my throat, I have a terrible coughing fit. Between the fear of aspirating or just vomiting all over myself, I freaked. Your experience, please :-)

[Squisha 99]

I was extremely naucous the whole 2 days in the hospital, i think it was my pain meds, once i came off my drip i was fine. But the leak test is very uncomfortable. It did make me gag but no vomiting.

[clk 3,519]

Try not to stress too much - anxiety will only make it worse! I'll say that it was definitely unpleasant to do the swallow test with contrast but it only lasts a very brief time. I do remember the taste being awful but not to the point where I threw up.

I hope this goes smoothly for you.

~Cheri

[MsShaunaMarie 82]

I have had a few UPPER GI's and the leak test Im pretty sure is the same. take and swollow the barium and the tech takes some quick pictures, I cant stand the barium it always makes me gag, but ive never thrown up. My surgery is in 4 days! Im hoping the leak test goes smoothly.

[kmoore 97]

Does your doctor do the swallow test or does he/she test before closing you up during surgery. I was fortunate and my doc does his leak test before ever closing you up. No swallow test the next day!

[IsB 209]

I have had a few UPPER GI's and the leak test Im pretty sure is the same. take and swollow the barium and the tech takes some quick pictures, I cant stand the barium it always makes me gag, but ive never thrown up. My surgery is in 4 days! Im hoping the leak test goes smoothly.

It's the same concept but the leak test is a lot easier. They don't move you all around like the do in the upper GI. They didn't even tilt the table. You just stand there, take a tiny swallow and hold for the picture. Then they turn your body the other way and do the same thing. The whole thing took less than 5 minutes. The ride on the bed to the x-ray department was more uncomfortable than the actual test.

[ChrisJ 44]

Thank you all for your thoughtful and caring answers. I had never heard of a surgeon doing a leak test after the surgery, while in the operating room so I will ask my doctor about that. I have had all kinds of digestive procedures (having IBS) it's the vomiting that concerns me. My daughter had RNY and she was tilted all over the place during her leak test and vomited 3 times much to the tech's shock.

[rainbows 35]

I am with you on this fear!!

[MsShaunaMarie 82]

It's the same concept but the leak test is a lot easier. They don't move you all around like the do in the upper GI. They didn't even tilt the table. You just stand there' date=' take a tiny swallow and hold for the picture. Then they turn your body the other way and do the same thing. The whole thing took less than 5 minutes. The ride on the bed to the x-ray department was more uncomfortable than the actual test.[/quote']

Oh good thanks for the info:)