EGD before surgery

[sassyfrass23 525]

Hi! I had my (physician) required EGD this morning. The final step in getting my paperwork submitted for approval! All went well for the most part. However, while in recovery my surgeon, who mandates that he do the EGD on his WLS patients, came in to discuss what he found. While I didn't have any ulcers or hernias, he did notice above normal inflammation in my abdomen. He took a couple of biopsies and I see him again on the 20th. I was wondering if any of you had similar findings when you had your EGD? I'm not too worried as he said it was probably bacteria related. If so, he'll put me on the appropriate antibiotic to rid my body of it prior to surgery. After 8 long months, I finally feel like I'm getting somewhere and is surreal!

Edited January 13, 2016 by sassyfrass23

[James Marusek 5,244]

When I went in for my pre-op testing, they found a few issues that needed a second round of testing conducted by specialists in their respective fields. This is common.

I underwent a one hour ultrasound exam that showed my blood vessels were relatively clean. A CT Scan that showed there was a large mass in one of my lungs. It turned out to be nonmalignant. I also went to an examination with a Pulmonologist that showed I had sleep apnea.

So long story short. You are nearing the end of your long journey.

[Ruin's Angel 6]

Is EGD the same as an upper endoscopy? That's what I have to have as well as a mammogram and pap smear. Already did the blood work and chest x-ray.

[sassyfrass23 525]

Thanks for your response, @@James Marusek! And so glad to hear that the mass was malignant. I imagine that was a very worrisome time for you!

I had my abdominal ultrasound last week. So I should get those results at my appointment next week as well. I really hope they'll be submitting my paperwork shortly after that visit.

As much as I dreaded this "delay" due to requirements....I'm truly grateful. I feel so much more prepared and aware of what to expect. Now I know how to utilize my future tool to the best of its ability!

Is EGD the same as an upper endoscopy? That's what I have to have as well as a mammogram and pap smear. Already did the blood work and chest x-ray.

It sure is!

[BrandonKea 20]

Odd, I had an Upper GI (Swallow Study), but no EGD until post-op when I got my stricture (I've had two now.)

Hopefully your surgery goes well! 8 months is a long time to wait, you don't want to know how long I was in the process...

[Miss Mac 6,262]

Well all of these tests are for a reason. They help our doctors eliminate avoidable complications. They have saved a few lives on this forum by discovering potentially serious conditions.

A month before my surgery, I went to the ER for really bad pain in my back and abdomen, so much so that I could not stand up straight. I was stuck where I could not lay down or sit or straighten up. At first the doctors thought I would have to have some ruptured discs repaired and I even talked to a spine surgeon.

They did a CT scan of my abdomen and found out that I had ischemic colitis. I was in the hospital for eight days. My primary doctor told me later he thought he was going to lose me or I at least would have undergone a colostomy to save my life if the antibiotics had not helped in time.

Here is my point: If I had not had the CT for my back, I would not have known that I was about to die in a few days. If that issue had not been revealed before my sleeve surgery, any little nick on my bowels would have spread infection throughout my abdomen.

So count your blessings that even if there is an issue, that is one less problem that could have been a complication. I know waiting for surgery day is the hardest part of this process, but be patient. It will come in due time. Just get well first. Hugs from Chicago.

[sassyfrass23 525]

Odd, I had an Upper GI (Swallow Study), but no EGD until post-op when I got my stricture (I've had two now.)

Hopefully your surgery goes well! 8 months is a long time to wait, you don't want to know how long I was in the process...

Thanks! I'm ready to get this done. Honestly...I'm just glad to be finished with all the appointments. I was beginning to feel guilty for all my time off request from work. ????

[sassyfrass23 525]

Well all of these tests are for a reason. They help our doctors eliminate avoidable complications. They have saved a few lives on this forum by discovering potentially serious conditions.

A month before my surgery, I went to the ER for really bad pain in my back and abdomen, so much so that I could not stand up straight. I was stuck where I could not lay down or sit or straighten up. At first the doctors thought I would have to have some ruptured discs repaired and I even talked to a spine surgeon.

They did a CT scan of my abdomen and found out that I had ischemic colitis. I was in the hospital for eight days. My primary doctor told me later he thought he was going to lose me or I at least would have undergone a colostomy to save my life if the antibiotics had not helped in time.

Here is my point: If I had not had the CT for my back, I would not have known that I was about to die in a few days. If that issue had not been revealed before my sleeve surgery, any little nick on my bowels would have spread infection throughout my abdomen.

So count your blessings that even if there is an issue, that is one less problem that could have been a complication. I know waiting for surgery day is the hardest part of this process, but be patient. It will come in due time. Just get well first. Hugs from Chicago.

Thanks, @@Miss Mac! I'm definitely not complaining about the extensive testing in preparation. I would rather they identify any underlying issues before surgery to avoid complications. And yes...waiting has been a pain at times. But I've embraced all of this time and used it as an opportunity to prepare myself to the fullest. Sometimes I feel like I've already had the surgery because I'm trying to practice processes that will need to go in play post op. I also appreciate the fact that my surgeon demands he do the EGD. Something about him doing it brings assurance. Probably for the fact that he wants to do it to get a preview of what he's working with. I love my surgeon and am so stinkin happy I found him!!! I couldn't imagine going through this and not feeling truly comfortable with the man who will soon hold my life in his hands for the first major surgery I have ever endured.

I'm so glad you pulled through that scare!!! We experienced something similar with my daddy and the back pain he was experiencing. Come to find out he'd had bladder cancer that we were unaware of and metastasized to his spine. Sadly, he only lived for a year following that, but they were able to relieve him of the excruciating back pain as he fought the cancer.

[BrandonKea 20]

Don't feel bad about taking the time off if you have it. I burned through 120+ hours of sick time, but I needed every hour of it, and then some.

[sassyfrass23 525]

Don't feel bad about taking the time off if you have it. I burned through 120+ hours of sick time, but I needed every hour of it, and then some.

Fortunately/unfortunately...I'd switched jobs when after I was a couple of months into the progress. But my employer is amazing and so supportive. We're like a family so he encourages me to do whatever it takes to get myself healthy and happy. Idk what I'd do if I worked for someone who wasn't as understanding. What surgery did you have? And how long did you take off work for recovery?

[BrandonKea 20]

I was off 4 weeks for recovery and now I'm off intermittently since I've had this structure.

[goblue9280 481]

My surgeon required an upper endoscopy as well. Turns out I showed signs of gerd (wasn't aware of) and it looked like I might have Barrett's esophagus... however the biopsy came back negative. He told me the gastric bypass I got should reverse the gerd and inflammation.

[jj7481 363]

Is EGD the same as an upper endoscopy? That's what I have to have as well as a mammogram and pap smear. Already did the blood work and chest x-ray.

Yes, and Upper Endoscopy and EGD are the same procedure. Simply put, they is a colonoscopy for your esophagus and stomach.

[jj7481 363]

My surgeon also requires each bariatric surgery patient have an EGD. The results of my EGD came back with only inflammation of the stomach lining but did culture positive for H. Pylori. Two weeks of antibiotics and PPI's and I was good.

Hi! I had my (physician) required EGD this morning. The final step in getting my paperwork submitted for approval! All went well for the most part. However, while in recovery my surgeon, who mandates that he do the EGD on his WLS patients, came in to discuss what he found. While I didn't have any ulcers or hernias, he did notice above normal inflammation in my abdomen. He took a couple of biopsies and I see him again on the 20th. I was wondering if any of you had similar findings when you had your EGD? I'm not too worried as he said it was probably bacteria related. If so, he'll put me on the appropriate antibiotic to rid my body of it prior to surgery. After 8 long months, I finally feel like I'm getting somewhere and is surreal!

[animallover1247 249]

Sassyfrass23

I had my endoscopy back in October and some polys were found. My surgeon said someone would call me and let me know the results of the biopsy and guess what? I have NEVER heard from them. And yes, I would normally be on top of something like this like white on rice but I can't tell you how disgusted I have been with my surgeons office. I don't want to even talk to anyone there. It has been one problem after another with them, mostly them telling me they are going to do something and to this day they haven't gotten done. When you have to ask for something five times through phone calls and emails, you get a little inpatient. To make matters worse, it hasn't been one person, it has been three people and three different issues. One person has been great and very helpful but that's it. I figure if something was abnormal with they would have called me. I HOPE SO ANYWAY. I am a very patient person but this has driven me a bit insane. If my surgeons was not so experienced, I would switch.