Endoscopy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/19/01 9:57:23 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

lauraeweeks@... writes:

>

> > I know I have seen it posted before, but please tell me why we

> should have

> >

It is my understanding that if you are one year out and are getting an

endoscopy and have no symptons - it is purely on a volunteer basis to assit

Dr. R with statistics to find out exactly what the risks are.

Busching

[Guest guest]

Because an Endoscope is the ONLY way to see what's going on in our

new stomachs. Bile reflux is something that can develop from this

surgery and it is extremely serious. It cannot be treated with

medication like acid reflux can. Only the " symptoms " can be

treated. By the time you " feel " symptoms, it can be too late, and it

may already be happening. This is not something that Dr. R. covered

much in the Patient Manual.

YES! By all means, get an Endoscope now, and every year for the rest

of your life.

Waunakee, WI

MGB 1/16/01 - in Wisconsin

Dr. Starling's first patient

250/174/???

> I know I have seen it posted before, but please tell me why we

should have

> an endoscopy at about one year post-op. I have a new PCP and She

has

> ordered all my lab work without question. I am to see her back in

two weeks

> to pick up my results. At that time I plan to bridge the endoscopy

issue

> but, I need the facts. I hate to tell her, her business but I need

to get

> what I need out of this relationship also. Are most of you post-ops

planning

> to have an endoscopy? I feel terrific so I am not sure why we have

it.

> Thanks,

> Chris

> MGB Dr.R 10-05-00

> 208/114/?

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at

http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

[Guest guest]

Thank you Dr R.

I also was wondering about the need for a regular Endoscopy. You answered my

question.

Tom Hickey

[Guest guest]

Dr. Rutledge,

What about is blood work shows low iron (mine is 9.8 of a range of 11.5-15)? My

primary care physician, Dr. Flanagan recommended an endoscopy because of these

results. What do you think?

Shea

orig.MGB=5/26/00

revision=12/26/01

304/247/208

-------original messsage-------

From: Dr Rutledge <Dr_Rutledge@...>

Sent: 03/08/03 08:42 PM

Subject: Re: Endoscopy

>

> Hi,

RE yearly endoscopy:

NOT needed.

Of the 13,000 other Billroth II surgeries done in the US every year, no

one

recommends yearly endoscopy.

On the other hand if a patient of mine gets frightened by the comments of

others and wants to get and endoscopy that is fine and I am very

interested

in keeping track of the results.

Now IF you have symptoms after MGB such as indigestion or abdominal pain

we

recommend a thorough evaluation and that Might include an endoscopy.

Hope this helps.

;-)

DrR

PS The CLOS Missouri site is really getting cooking. Dr Hargroder and

are GREAT!!

Am now moderating the MGB_Maintenance Group

>

>

> > Hey, all. I inherited a new job moderating the MGB_Maintenance

> > Group. So please join us so we can discuss topics for us long-term

> > (and not so long-term) post-ops.

> >

> > I realized I have passed my third anniversary. My bloodowrk is good,

> > but I need to have an endoscope done - will let you know how it

> > goes. Also have to get an x-ray done to see if I still have the

> > kidney store (sure feels like's it's there).

> >

> > -Ginny I.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi,

RE yearly endoscopy:

NOT needed.

Of the 13,000 other Billroth II surgeries done in the US every year, no one

recommends yearly endoscopy.

On the other hand if a patient of mine gets frightened by the comments of

others and wants to get and endoscopy that is fine and I am very interested

in keeping track of the results.

Now IF you have symptoms after MGB such as indigestion or abdominal pain we

recommend a thorough evaluation and that Might include an endoscopy.

Hope this helps.

;-)

DrR

PS The CLOS Missouri site is really getting cooking. Dr Hargroder and

are GREAT!!

Am now moderating the MGB_Maintenance Group

>

>

> > Hey, all. I inherited a new job moderating the MGB_Maintenance

> > Group. So please join us so we can discuss topics for us long-term

> > (and not so long-term) post-ops.

> >

> > I realized I have passed my third anniversary. My bloodowrk is good,

> > but I need to have an endoscope done - will let you know how it

> > goes. Also have to get an x-ray done to see if I still have the

> > kidney store (sure feels like's it's there).

> >

> > -Ginny I.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Sandy and all:

Yes, Doc is correct. The reson why I am having an endoscope done is

that I am having abdominal pain and my doctor has sent me to a G.I.

specialist. Sorry, didn't mean to alarm anyone.

-Ginny

> Hi,

>

> RE yearly endoscopy:

>

> NOT needed.

>

> Of the 13,000 other Billroth II surgeries done in the US every

year, no one

> recommends yearly endoscopy.

>

> On the other hand if a patient of mine gets frightened by the

comments of

> others and wants to get and endoscopy that is fine and I am very

interested

> in keeping track of the results.

>

> Now IF you have symptoms after MGB such as indigestion or abdominal

pain we

> recommend a thorough evaluation and that Might include an endoscopy.

>

> Hope this helps.

>

> ;-)

>

> DrR

>

> PS The CLOS Missouri site is really getting cooking. Dr Hargroder

and

> are GREAT!!

>

> Am now moderating the MGB_Maintenance Group

> >

> >

> > > Hey, all. I inherited a new job moderating the MGB_Maintenance

> > > Group. So please join us so we can discuss topics for us long-

term

> > > (and not so long-term) post-ops.

> > >

> > > I realized I have passed my third anniversary. My bloodowrk is

good,

> > > but I need to have an endoscope done - will let you know how it

> > > goes. Also have to get an x-ray done to see if I still have the

> > > kidney store (sure feels like's it's there).

> > >

> > > -Ginny I.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Hang in there!! We're here for you!!

Your in my prayers!!

genia

> grrrrrrrrrrrr i have another endoscopy on monday. its gonna b the

2nd

> one within 2 weeks!!!!! i am so hungry i feel like i could eat a

> whole cow. im not allowed to eat ne thing thats solid untill next

> week wednesday. **crying** i want foooooooooood.

>

> ok im done.

> ~!**!~

[Guest guest]

Chris....

I just wanted to say that although most bandsters say they cannot eat

bread, I can. I have a very good restriction, and cannot eat more

than 1/3 - 1/2 cup of something solid like chicken, but I can eat a

whole grilled cheese sandwich. I can also (sometimes) eat up to 2

small slices of pizza. I personally think it depends on the type of

bread, but I also think that it is because it is 'soft', and goes

down like soft food when it is chewed up. Also, I think the melted

cheese helps it to slide down faster. Now that I know I can eat those

foods, I do have them once in awhile as a treat, but not very often.

Tomatoes are kind of soft, how much of a turkey or roast beef

sandwich could you eat? For the most part, I (try to) stay away from

bread.

I think I would try not to be worried, as it takes different amounts

of fill for different people to get restriction. I have even read

some people have gone a little past 4 cc's safely, even though that's

supposed to be the limit. How much solid protein can you eat?

Chicken, steak, or pork? To me that is the only real test of good

restriction, as different foods go down differently. I even

categorize fish as a 'soft food' because I can definitely eat more of

it than other solid proteins. But that works out ok too -- I know I

can always get down a healthy portion of fish.

Good luck and don't worry -- I suspect you are fine, but of course it

never hurts to be checked out if you are concerned.

Betty

> I was just told yesterday by my doc that I should have an endoscopy

> since I went for a check up after having a fill 2 weeks ago and

being

> filled to 3 cc's. I told him I don't really feel any different

since

> the last fill and I told him I was able to eat a whole tomato

> sandwich in about 15 min. He said I shouldn't be able to do that.

[Guest guest]

Endoscopy involves a light sedation (it is not a general anesthesia,

but you will not remember a thing) and an IV. they stick a thin tube

with a tiny camera into your stomach to look around. Be sure the GI

doc who does this is VERY familiar with the band.

Many people need a complete unfill so the tube can get through the

stoma. They should use a pedicatric size of tube and take care not to

damage the pouch and stoma - which they will do, of course.

What band do you have? Is your doc very expoerienced? When were you

banded? In a " 4 " cc band, lots of people have more than 3 cc before

they feel a good restriction. Have you had fluoros since banding?

They can show good band position without an endoscopy. Sandy R

> I was just told yesterday by my doc that I should have an endoscopy

> since I went for a check up after having a fill 2 weeks ago and

being

> filled to 3 cc's. I told him I don't really feel any different

since

> the last fill and I told him I was able to eat a whole tomato

> sandwich in about 15 min. He said I shouldn't be able to do that.

He

> said it would be as a precaution just to make sure there was no

> erosion and that if everything was OK, then I would get another

fill.

> Naturally I'm going crazy, especally thinking aboutpossible band

> removal. Can anyone tell me what sort of prep I will need to do for

> this test. The doc said it only takes about 15 min. Did anyone else

> go through something like this? Thanks

>

>

> S. - L.I.,NY

[Guest guest]

Just wanted to let you all know that I'm having the Endoscopy on

Monday at around 10AM. I had the consult with Dr. Cusa yesterday at

2 and he said he will tell me what's going on as soon as I wake up.

(I'm hoping I get completely knocked out!) He asked me why I was

having it done and when I told him, he kinda said that it would be

unusual to have erosion since I don't really have any symptoms. I

asked him if he ever saw a case and he said only one. Now I'm

getting myself all crazy about where that scope has been before it

gets to me and how they clean it. Yikes!!!! I will be pretty groggy

when I get home but I will post the outcome. Thanks for all your

good wishes.

>

> S. - L.I.,NY

[Guest guest]

It has been in the sterilizer before it goes in you.

Charlie

05/16/03

405/302/200

Glen Rose, TX

[Guest guest]

Congratulations on being able to continue to lose weight. I am so

happy for you. You will be an inspiration to SO many people. Trust me, speed

doesn't matter, keeping it off does! Hang in there and best of luck to you!

NANCY V

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of Barger

Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2005 3:37 PM

Subject: endoscopy

Carmen,

I'm so glad you know what *should* be showing up on your endoscopy. We

are our best advocates!!!! I watned to add that that is where my ulcer

was located as well...right at the connection between my intestines and

my

new stomach. I wouldn't have known except they *thought* I had a

stricture

and ordered the endoscopy (this was 2 weeks after my initial surgery).

Now that I've had my reversal, I know to be diligent and check those

things.

I have my next endoscopy scheduled for the 31st. Will be curious to

know if

my ulcer is gone...I still have stomach pains here and there and nausea

and

occasional vomiting. Still learning my new eating habits...didn't even

get

a chance to learn them after surgery before we did the reversal, so this

is

a double whammy, but overall, I am MUCH MUCH healthier since the

reversal.

I go out and play and run and bike and enjoy my family, etc. Please let

us

know how your next endoscopy goes. I think this is an important thing

for

*everyone* to do on a regular basis. Had I not been sick already, I

would

have never known and might have had the same experience as you...god

bless!

273 (MGB 1/15/05)

202 (reversal 3/05)

192 currently

For those who are interested I am 2 months post op from my reversal

and

I am continuing to lose weight, though at a much slower pace. -M

Ally, Zima, Hayden, & Conto

________________________________________________________________________

___

__________R_o_a_n_o_a_k___A_u_s_t_r_a_l_i_a_n___S_h_e_p_h_e_r_d_s_______

___

monica@...

http://roanoakaussies.com/

Courage is not measured by the point at which you finish;

But by the power and intensity in which you pursue your path.

To possess it is to climb the mountain and live the dream.

_____

[Guest guest]

I would go for both.

[Guest guest]

Ann wrote:

It looks like one vote for throat spray and one for sedation.

I think this has to be a personal decision. If you panic easily it

will help to be relaxed by the drugs. They may also reduce the gaging

that happens. If you can lay there while gagging and not panic as the

scope is pushed in, then you may be able to get by without drugs. Are

they giving you a choice? I would think they would want to drug almost

everyone so that they have better control over what the patient does.

Personally, I hate being drugged but I have never had a scoping without

any.

notan

[Guest guest]

I had my achalasia repair in 1999, and since have had an endoscopy

with dialation every year since then. I would definitely say it's a

personal decision. However, if you gag easily, then you will be more

comfortable with the drugs. I get the spray which numbs my throat a

bit, then they release the drugs into my i.v. Hope that helps.

[Guest guest]

On 11/28/2005 at 6:14:58 A.M. Central Standard Time you wrote:

I get the spray which numbs my throat a bit, then they release the drugs into my i.v.

Kris, this is the way I get mine as well. However, just for the

record, I did have one without sedation. It was not the most

pleasant procedure I ever had but it was not the worse either.

I would not describe it as horrible. It only took a max of 10

minutes to do it and the pain was not bad, it was the gag

reflex mostly and with deep breathing I handled that okay.

Now having said that, let me tell you I would not have

another done that way. Why go through even 10 minutes

of something that unpleasant when you don't have to.

Carolyn, was there something else wrong with your dad

that maybe they didn't want to use sedation. Sometimes

as we get older we have to be more careful with some types

of sedation. I didn't think conscience sedation was one of

them but I could be wrong. Just a thought.

Maggie

Alabama

[Guest guest]

Hi Ann,

I had the sedation and all went fine. I was out for less than 10

minutes. It was bizarr, like it never happened.

I wasn't given the choice but it went absolutely fine.

>

>

> Oh Blimey,

>

> It looks like one vote for throat spray and one for sedation. Can

somebody break the deadlock for me? I don't know what to do now.

>

> Thank you people, love from Ann xxx

>

[Guest guest]

The only reason my doc suggested this was because I went to him

complaining about stomach pains. Personally I'm thankful Dr. Neal is

vigilent about keeping an eye on me;-)

On Wednesday, December 6, 2006, at 05:54 AM,

wrote:

> >> I would still like to know WHAT doctors recommend an annual

> endoscopy, and why they would do so, unless you had some pre-existing

> problem like ulcers, or another stomach issue.<<

>

> Oh, Dan, you know the doctors that do. They are hypervigilant,

> seriously

> worried about the cost of their malpractice insurance and without

> long-term experience with the band. They are charter members of the

> " you

> can't be too careful " club.

>

Kem in Eugene

Dr. Neal 8.6.04

<º)))><

[Guest guest]

Hi Marie,

I too am breastfeeding a baby and just had an endoscopy 2 weeks ago. I

did have to " pump and dump " once after the procedure but I can't

imagine they can do the procedure without you being asleep/sedated.

>

> hi there,I have been to see my surgeon for my

6

> month check up, my last barium meal 6 weeks ago

> still show a tightness so he wants to do an

> endoscope ,and while he is doing that he says

he

> will also do a dilation,im a bit nervous about

this can any one tell me, do they sedate you for an endoscope ,its been

ten years since I last had one and because I was breast feeding my baby

they couldn't give me anything and I didn't enjoy it one bit ,

> cheers everybody Marie

>

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

This is a very common procedure which goes on all the time all over the developed world. As a matter of interest my own sister is an auxilary endoscopy nurse. She is the one who sterilises the scopes, holds the patient's hand when they need reassurance and takes care of them in recovery afterwards. (She is lovely and compassionate - a better person than I am).

It is very uncommon for anything to go wrong and the doctors and nurses are all very experienced in this. It is essential that this procedure is done so that the state of your oesophagus can be viewed. They routinely take biopsies to test for cancerous cells. Do not be alarmed by this. It is just to discount their presence and the knowledge that you don't have any cancer cells is extremely reassuring anyway.

You are very likely to be offered sedation which is given by putting a cannula in your hand or wrist area so that the sedative can be injected as necessary. If you need more, you will be given it. Talk about this to the nurse on admission. He/she will explain it all and answer your questions. Some patients find endoscopy a breeze, some find it a little difficult. It's impossible to generalize, but you will be helped through it.

One word of advice would be to fast as long as you able before the test. If you are given a routine pamphlet telling you not to eat that morning, regard that as pertaining to the general population. It does not allow for all the cumulated food that we achalasians are able to store pre-stomach!

Good luck with it. You will be ok. Let us know how it goes for you.

Love from Ann in England XX

From: tjl567@... <tjl567@...>Subject: endoscopyachalasia Date: Tuesday, 15 April, 2008, 4:20 AM

I need some advice on an endoscopy. Is this something common enough that I can expect a large teaching hospital to do it well and know what to look for or is this something that I should only have someone with achalasia experience do? Do all specialists ask you to have it done at their facility? Thanks for your help.burg, PA ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ____Click here for fast, reliable, quality printing services!

between 0000-00-00 and 9999-99-99 <hr size=1> for Good helps you <a href= " http://us.rd./mailuk/taglines/isp/control/*http://us.rd./evt=51947/*http://uk.promotions./forgood/ " >make a difference</a>

[Guest guest]

My gag reflex is insane... brushing my teeth makes me gag! My endoscopy was done under complete sedation. I told the anesthesiologist that I did not wish to be even slightly awake for the procedure. It might not be an option for you, I don't know, but if your gag reflex is anything like mine it's a question you should ask.

On Tue, Apr 15, 2008 at 8:38 PM, tjl567@... <tjl567@...> wrote:

Ann,Thanks for your response. Your comments are very helpful and if you don't mind, I have another question.Can one generalize that if the manometry was very difficult I should prepare for the same with the endoscopy. I apparently have an overly sensitive gag reflex and it took me longer than normal, I'm told, to adjust to the tube in my throat. Additionally, because of prior surgery I have a significant shifting of organs to the right and my esophagus curves to the right as well.

Posted by: " Ann Higgs " lilac_blossom_lady@... lilac_blossom_lady

Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:16 am (PDT)

Dear ,This is a very common procedure which goes on all the time allover the developed world. As a matter of interest my own sisteris an auxilary endoscopy nurse. She is the one who sterilises

the scopes, holds the patient's hand when they need reassuranceand takes care of them in recovery afterwards. (She is lovely andcompassionate - a better person than I am)......

_____________________________________________________________Take control of your computer with great spyware removal. Click now!

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

To be realistic and honest with you, I consider that if you had a difficult time with the manometry, then the endoscopy could cause a similar problem (with the gag reflex).

HOWEVER, there is one big difference. Manometry is rarely performed with sedation, because it interferes to a degree with the results. This is not the case in endoscopy and you can be given as much sedation as you need to get through the test. They try not to give any patient more than he/she needs because the recovery time then becomes longer and you tend to be disorientated for the rest of the day. But in your case, It seems to me that it is important that they can reassure you that you will be sufficiently sedated in order to avoid distress.

It is vital that you discuss this before you get to the testing stage.

Love from Ann XX

From: tjl567@... <tjl567@...>Subject: endoscopyachalasia Date: Wednesday, 16 April, 2008, 1:38 AM

Ann,Thanks for your response. Your comments are very helpful and if you don't mind, I have another question.Can one generalize that if the manometry was very difficult I should prepare for the same with the endoscopy. I apparently have an overly sensitive gag reflex and it took me longer than normal, I'm told, to adjust to the tube in my throat. Additionally, because of prior surgery I have a significant shifting of organs to the right and my esophagus curves to the right as well.

Posted by: "Ann Higgs" lilac_blossom_ lady (DOT) co.uk lilac_blossom_ lady

Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:16 am (PDT)

Dear ,This is a very common procedure which goes on all the time allover the developed world. As a matter of interest my own sisteris an auxilary endoscopy nurse. She is the one who sterilisesthe scopes, holds the patient's hand when they need reassuranceand takes care of them in recovery afterwards. (She is lovely andcompassionate - a better person than I am)...... ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ____Take control of your computer with great spyware removal. Click now!

for Good helps you make a difference

[Guest guest]

I have had at least 4 of these and I am NO WHERE conscious during

the procedure. In fact the last one I woke up and they had to re

dose me with versed to get me to calm down. I have no memory of the

incident however. I vote for being knocked out

Dave

Central Cali

>

> > Ann,

> > Thanks for your response. Your comments are very helpful and if

you

> > don't mind, I have another question.

> > Can one generalize that if the manometry was very difficult I

should

> > prepare for the same with the endoscopy. I apparently have an

overly

> > sensitive gag reflex and it took me longer than normal, I'm

told, to adjust

> > to the tube in my throat. Additionally, because of prior

surgery I have a

> > significant shifting of organs to the right and my esophagus

curves to the

> > right as well.

> > Posted by: " Ann Higgs " lilac_blossom_lady@...

> > <http://webmaila.juno.com/webmail/new/8?

folder=Inbox & msgNum=0000QbG0:00181H6T000039HP & block=1 & msgNature=all & m

sgStatus=all & count=1208305168 & content=central#>

> > lilac_blossom_lady

<lilac_blossom_lady> Tue

> > Apr 15, 2008 4:16 am (PDT)

> > Dear ,

> >

> > This is a very common procedure which goes on all the time all

> > over the developed world. As a matter of interest my own sister

> > is an auxilary endoscopy nurse. She is the one who sterilises

> > the scopes, holds the patient's hand when they need reassurance

> > and takes care of them in recovery afterwards. (She is lovely and

> > compassionate - a better person than I am)......

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > _____________________________________________________________

> > Take control of your computer with great spyware removal. Click

now!

<http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2122/fc/Ioyw6i3mEzAaOTRFzHf4iRr8

pWyklUQdMN7XwEOTkEv4ubhYAzxZe8/>

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

Sorry for jumping in but my experience was that the manometry was the hardest as it was there for 30 minutes or so wheras the endoscopy was over in about 5 minutes but this could vary. I had the jell on the tube for the manometry and just the spray on the back of the throat for the endoscopy. I asked for sedation but as I was on my own they were very reluctant to give any and I coped so if you do have sedation you should be fine.

Andy

Yorkshire, England

On 16/04/2008, tjl567@... <tjl567@...> wrote:

Ann,Thanks for your response. Your comments are very helpful and if you don't mind, I have another question.Can one generalize that if the manometry was very difficult I should prepare for the same with the endoscopy. I apparently have an overly sensitive gag reflex and it took me longer than normal, I'm told, to adjust to the tube in my throat. Additionally, because of prior surgery I have a significant shifting of organs to the right and my esophagus curves to the right as well.

Posted by: " Ann Higgs " lilac_blossom_lady@... lilac_blossom_lady

Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:16 am (PDT)

Dear ,This is a very common procedure which goes on all the time allover the developed world. As a matter of interest my own sisteris an auxilary endoscopy nurse. She is the one who sterilises

the scopes, holds the patient's hand when they need reassuranceand takes care of them in recovery afterwards. (She is lovely andcompassionate - a better person than I am)...... _____________________________________________________________Take control of your computer with great spyware removal. Click now!

[Guest guest]

I am relatively new to this group. I have been reading a lot on Bee's site, so

I can become more and more familiar with this whole program. I have had a

history of stomach issues, anxiety, geographic tongue, fatigue, and beginning to

have sore joints. I just got an endoscopy and they found that I have small

bleeding sores in my stomach as well as an extra amount of bile.

They said that I need to decrease the acid in my stomach because of my increase

of bile...how would this be interpreted by Bee? Would I need extra HCL?

Also, I have read the foods that are ok on the list, but for the first weeks on

the program is it important to do mostly meat/fats (and supplements) and stay

away from the veggies? I thought that I read a link on her site that talked

about the first week, but I couldn't find it once I went back on.

Thank you so much for all of the wealth of information, it has been a huge help!

-Alyssa