Endoscopy

[Aspring424 76]

I am new to this forum and I am in the beginning stages of my journey.. I have my first appt with the NP on Tuesday 9/2.. I have health first and I believe I have to do 6 month diet.. My question is.. does everyone have an endoscopy ?

[deedee19625 31]

I am new to this forum and I am in the beginning stages of my journey.. I have my first appt with the NP on Tuesday 9/2.. I have health first and I believe I have to do 6 month diet.. My question is.. does everyone have an endoscopy ?

I had to get a endoscopy and sonogram , bloodwork, cardiologist, couple of other things.

sounds overwhelming but it goes quick

[BitterSweet* 835]

Run like you are on fire if your surgeon does not require an endoscopy. The procedure is ordered (or should be) to give your surgeon the best assessment of your health before surgery.

The endoscopy is done for the following reasons:

1)To assess your gallbladder; if it's diseased they will remove it during surgery, which will likely save you from a 2nd operation down the road.

2) To assess whether you have a hernia of any kind, which would also be repaired during sleeve surgery.

3) To look for any structural abnormalities, polyps (pre-cancerous growths), which would be removed during the endoscopy; check for H. Pylori, which would require treatment with antibiotics (2 different ones) for a couple of weeks; and for signs of significant GERD / reflux disease.

[fitdrea30 41]

Thanks for the info. I'm having my endoscopic procedure on Tuesday. I took the entire day off and they said I'll need someone to drive me home. Can anyone enlighten us how you felt after the procedure and the next couple of days?

[Luvin_Life125 558]

My office requires a preop endoscopy too. I thought it would be a waste of time and money but did it because it is required to have the sleeve done. I have never had heart burn not pregnant and no other GI symptoms. Well turns out the endoscopy was not just a routine thing serving no purpose. They found an ulcer, gastritis, and gastric polyps. Now I am so happy they found all of this before surgery! I am on medication for the ulcer and gastritis. The polyps will be taken care of by the sleeve surgery. The polyps did rule out the possibility of RNY instead of the sleeve.

The moral of the story is make sure all bases are covered before surgery and all preop testing is thorough. If a surgeons office blindly schedules you for surgery without going through a preop screening, you probably want to find a new office. Good luck in your adventure!

[BitterSweet* 835]

Exactly. I know lots of people are getting this surgery done without an endoscopy before hand, but polyps grow on the inside of the stomach. The stapling device (bougie) used to cut your stomach does not allow them to take a peek inside your belly. They can look at the removed portion, but what about the sleeve you're left with?

Many people have conditions unbeknownst to them, just like you described, and are completely asymptomatic. I really find it astounding that some surgeons do a VSG without knowing the actual health of someone's stomach before hand.

Edited August 30, 2014 by BitterSweet*

[honeybunz 139]

Thanks for the info. I'm having my endoscopic procedure on Tuesday. I took the entire day off and they said I'll need someone to drive me home. Can anyone enlighten us how you felt after the procedure and the next couple of days?

My EGD was so easy. Went to Walmart afterwards. My husband drove me. GL!

[deedee19625 31]

My EGD was so easy. Went to Walmart afterwards. My husband drove me. GL!

[deedee19625 31]

endo is not so bad you go to sleep when you get up like half an hour you'll be groggy but you will feel good maybe alittle tired for rest of day

[fitdrea30 41]

Thank you

[Aspring424 76]

Thank You all.. I have to admit I was scared to get one .. but i think it's a good idea i do.. in so want this surgery so bad... I am mad at myself I didn't start this earlier in my life