Endoscopy?

[angierue 214]

I've seen several pre-op sleevers mention getting an endoscopy. I've only met with my surgeon once but he never mentioned having to get that done. It's also not listed on the steps required for the surgery.

I guess what I'm curious about is why are your surgeons having this done and should I ask about it at my next appointment?

[DeanieG 49]

I had to have one done--in fact, I had it done almost 2 weeks ago. I found out that I have some acid reflux issues although I wasn't aware of any problems. The surgeon started me on medication. I'm supposed to have the sleeve done but my surgeon's staff said this won't change my surgery. All I have left to do is my nutrition test on 9/10/14 and then my documents will be sent to the insurance company for approval.

[5BeautifulDays 68]

Mine was checking for GERD and hiatal hernia. I also had to do a colonoscopy at the same time due to family history.

He said severe GERD or Barret's esophagus could mean that he would rather do a bypass than a sleeve, because the increased pressure from the sleeve can make reflux worse.

They didn't find a hernia when they did the scope, but he found one when he was doing surgery, and fixed it.

[Jezika 11]

I had to have one done--in fact, I had it done almost 2 weeks ago. I found out that I have some acid reflux issues although I wasn't aware of any problems. The surgeon started me on medication. I'm supposed to have the sleeve done but my surgeon's staff said this won't change my surgery. All I have left to do is my nutrition test on 9/10/14 and then my documents will be sent to the insurance company for approval.

What is a Nutrition test?

[Jezika 11]

Im curious because I am scheduled to get one next week. My doctor is saying I need to be put under general anesthesia, but I am reading that it's not necessary. Why would one need to be under GA and others not??

I would much, MUCH rather not!!

[Forsythia 882]

When I had my endoscopy, they put me into what they call "conscious sedation" meaning you are awake the whole time, but you really remember nothing. I swear, they put the IV in me, had me turn onto my side and the next thing I remember was laying in the recovery room and humming a song. LOL. They gave me some animal crackers and a ginger ale and sent me home. I remember everything before that, and everything after, but that 40 minutes is forever gone! Then about a week late I got a letter in the mail with all the pictures of my throat and everything. It was fascinating, really.

Since Northwestern Memorial is a teaching hospital, the nurses said that often they volunteer to have it done because it is such an easy procedure.

[DeanieG 49]

The "nutrition test" is a test that the bariatric team makes us take 2 weeks after our nutrition class to make sure that we understand what and how we can eat before and after our surgery. It's 50 questions and we have to score at least a 90 in order to be scheduled for surgery.

[auntiemel 275]

Im curious because I am scheduled to get one next week. My doctor is saying I need to be put under general anesthesia, but I am reading that it's not necessary. Why would one need to be under GA and others not??

I would much, MUCH rather not!!

Mine was just twilight anesthesia...not fully asleep

[auntiemel 275]

When I had my endoscopy, they put me into what they call "conscious sedation" meaning you are awake the whole time, but you really remember nothing. I swear, they put the IV in me, had me turn onto my side and the next thing I remember was laying in the recovery room and humming a song. LOL. They gave me some animal crackers and a ginger ale and sent me home. I remember everything before that, and everything after, but that 40 minutes is forever gone! Then about a week late I got a letter in the mail with all the pictures of my throat and everything. It was fascinating, really.

Since Northwestern Memorial is a teaching hospital, the nurses said that often they volunteer to have it done because it is such an easy procedure.

My throat was on fire after the endoscopy and I slept the day away after. I'm not going with that surgeon anymore, but it felt like my throat was raw

[BitterSweet* 835]

An endoscopy (EGD) is done under conscious sedation / moderate sedation / twilight sleep; all interchangeable terms. You are given Versed through an IV, which acts as a sedative and causes intentional memory loss.

I've started noticing that many surgeons are omitting EGDs as a pre-op measure and I don't think that's a great idea. An EGD is really the only way they can get a good look at your anatomy and diagnose / treat problems. Many people do have "silent reflux" which can cause Barrett's Esophagus (precancerous lesions). They also take a biopsy to check for H.Pylori, which would require 2 weeks of treatment on 2 different antibiotics. Serious GERD issues makes you a poor candidate for a sleeve, so an EGD also helps determine the appropriate surgery for a patient. Sleeve vs. Gastric Bypass.

EGDs are also done to assess general stomach and esophageal anatomy; checks for hernias; checks for and can remove polyps; checks for ulcers; and checks the health of the gallbladder. If you have a hernia or gall disease, the surgeon will fix the hernia and remove the gallbladdder during sleeve surgery; they should at least.

When you think about all that is accomplished by an EGD, it makes you kind of wonder why a surgeon would choose to omit it as a pre-op requirement. Makes you wonder.......

[Mihaela 0]

Hello everybody , I'm Mihaela and I'm from New Jersey , also I'm very happy to be here and talk to you ladies ! I'm going to have a VSG probably October between 15-30 , 2014. Tonight I went to another seminar with Dr. Neff , and he said from the date of last visit to surgery day it's gone be about 4-6 weeks, yes too much waiting but no choise! Good look everyone and God bless !

[docbree 199]

An endoscopy (EGD) is done under conscious sedation / moderate sedation / twilight sleep; all interchangeable terms. You are given Versed through an IV, which acts as a sedative and causes intentional memory loss. I've started noticing that many surgeons are omitting EGDs as a pre-op measure and I don't think that's a great idea. An EGD is really the only way they can get a good look at your anatomy and diagnose / treat problems. Many people do have "silent reflux" which can cause Barrett's Esophagus (precancerous lesions). They also take a biopsy to check for H.Pylori, which would require 2 weeks of treatment on 2 different antibiotics. Serious GERD issues makes you a poor candidate for a sleeve, so an EGD also helps determine the appropriate surgery for a patient. Sleeve vs. Gastric Bypass. EGDs are also done to assess general stomach and esophageal anatomy; checks for hernias; checks for and can remove polyps; checks for ulcers; and checks the health of the gallbladder. If you have a hernia or gall disease, the surgeon will fix the hernia and remove the gallbladdder during sleeve surgery; they should at least. When you think about all that is accomplished by an EGD, it makes you kind of wonder why a surgeon would choose to omit it as a pre-op requirement. Makes you wonder.......

Getting my EGD in the morning. Not required by my surgeon - but I insisted

Edited September 9, 2014 by docbree

[BitterSweet* 835]

@@docbree, you're one smart cookie! Good luck and let us know how things go for you!