RE: Upper GI -- AJ

[Guest guest]

Wear a shirt with no writing on it or buttons and a bra with no metal at all. Or bring your own hospital gown to the xray dept.

[Guest guest]

Hi AJ:

If you are referring to the procedure I think you're referring to,

then I don't understand why you would have to remove ANYTHING, except

something that had metal in it.

Dr. Anthone orders an Upper GI for every pre-op -- it's part of the

standard testing regimen. (Just to make sure we're on the right

page, I'm referring to the test where you drink the barium stuff and

then they look at your stomach on a tv screen.) I walked into the

lab (or whatever it is they call the room) wearing my standard fat-

guy uniform of shorts and a t-shirt, and I don't remember them asking

me to take anything off. Maybe I just don't remember...

Anyhow, I can see them asking you to take your bra off, because the

metal parts would show up on the screen, but I really don't see why

you have to take your top off or why you'd have to change into one of

those stupid gowns.

So, here's my advice:

First, wear a t-shirt to the procedure.

Second, if/when they hand you a gown, just ask them where the

changing room is. If they don't have one, ask where the nearest

restroom is. Then go there to change.

Thirdly, once you are comfortably behind closed doors, remove your

bra and put the stupid gown on over the t-shirt. If the radiologist

bitches at you about it, just look him in the eye, (chances are it

will be a him), and say: " Look Doctor, we both know that a cotton t-

shirt is not going to interfere with the imaging equipment, so let's

get this over with. "

If he persists, then say: " Doctor, let's not waste time on silly

trivialities. I am ready. Please begin the procedure now. "

If he still persists, then say: " Doctor, are you going to start the

procedure, or am I going to have to file a sexual harassment

complaint with the hospital administrator? "

Keep your voice low -- slightly lower even than normal conversational

tone. This will let him know he's dealing with a serious individual,

and not some hysterical ninny he can dismiss. (You can probably tell

that I don't have a whole lot of respect for radiologists as people.)

By the way, I really don't think you have any real need to be

embarassed about his. But I make the suggestions above because I

accept that you are embarassed about it, and you have a right as a

human being to have your wishes and feelings respected by your

medical care providers.

BE STRONG! (You can -- it's allowed you know.)

(:

Tom