The barium swallow...

[annieM 2]

I just thought I'd share a band success. I had to have a small bowel study (they think I have crohns disease) and had to drink an 8 oz glass of barium "shake". All I had to do to do this was to have 1.7 cc's of Fluid taken out of my band, then I drank the stuff the next day for my test, and the next day had 1.5 cc's put back in.

Woo Hoo for the adjustable band. I never would have been able to drink that awful stuff with my band adjusted well, it is too much and too thick. If I had had the RNY, I'd be out of luck.

[pennyt 14]

So did the swallow show Crohn's? I've had it (diagnosed) for 17 years now.

[Froggi 4]

my test wasd the other way around barium up the bum found out i had diverticulous when i was 15 most horrible test EVERRRRR

[annieM 2]

I won't know what the barium test showed for a couple weeks yet, but what they saw on the colonoscopy and biopsy was consistant with crohns.

Did they give you a hard time about the band with crohns?

[pennyt 14]

I won't know what the barium test showed for a couple weeks yet, but what they saw on the colonoscopy and biopsy was consistant with crohns.

Did they give you a hard time about the band with crohns?

Dr. Clark (surgeon) said that there was no problem with me getting the band since I'm in remission right now (due to surgery 2 years ago, and major drugs-Remicade and 6-mp). It also helped that my disease has always been in the far end of the small intestine. If I had ever had active disease closer to the stomach or esophagus, I don't think he would have agreed to operate on me.

My biggest worry was that my gastroenterologist would say no to the surgery. We talked about the surgery, my reasons for wanting it, and why I thought it was appropriate. He was satisfied that I had done my homework, and was ready for the surgery, so he gave his approval.

He's been my doctor for 17 years, so I was able to discuss the issues with him. I just saw him last Thursday, first visit since the lapband surgery, and he thinks I did the right thing with the surgery. He said his concern right now is that I don't lose too much or lose too fast. When I started with him right after I was diagnosed with CD, I was dying from the disease, and was in a loose size three clothing.

Both my gastro and the surgeon are in the same hospital system, so they were able to readily consult about me.

[mdgarcia31665 0]

Oh Froggie, been there done that. I have diverticulitus too and my colon actually perferated. Talk about painful. They told me the pain is worse than having a baby: They were right! I have had to many colonoscopies to count.:thumbup: