Need advice - barium swallow Glasgow

[weegie]

My surgeon in Belgium has advised go get an urgent total unfil and a barium swallow.

I have an appointment next week with my GP when I could ask for a referral, either private or NHS. That is next week though so doesn't really come into urgent category.

Would they look at this if I went to A&E?

Edit .. Change of plan will find somewhere for unfil and then get a referral from GP.

 

[marcusbm]

It sounds as if he suspects slippage/erosion of the band. Slippage would require re-fitting, replacing or removal of the band. Erosion (and the two are often used interchangeably) would require band removal and repairs.

A Barium swallow would give some indication of the severity and it's an initial diagnosis/study. Further examinations will then be required but it should put them in the right direction as the Barium swallow will reveal the location of the band.

I had a similar experience and a Barium swallow revealed the band was in the wrong location. Initially it was thought the band had slipped but it turned out to be a severe erosion that required emergency surgery.

However do try to think positive. It means the problem has been highlighted and it's being looked after. In many cases nothing happens until the problem becomes too severe.

 

[weegie]

Thanks for the reply Marcus. I have arranged a defill tomorrow and am trying to arrange a local barium and follow up. Fingers crossed I do not need any surgery until my mini bypass in June when I was due to have my band hoiked out anyway.

Chrissy

 

[weegie]

Just to add Marcus. Great new photo. Saw some of your diary, you have done tremendously well.

Chrissy

 

[kurstywursty]

Chrissy your GP may be able to refer to the Nuffield in a short time scale. - probably cost a couple of hundred or so though :-(

 

[nicola1723]

It tastes disgusting. Ew.
Good luck getting the treatment you need x

 

[weegie]

I know lol. One of the times I self tightened was over a Christmas period. I had to fly on Jan 2nd to Belgium and rush to the surgeons office. I could not swallow my own saliva at this stage and was very dehydrated. When he gave me the barium it came right back up and all over my only pair of Jeans, as I was flying home next day I packed only small hand luggage. My word that stuff is sticky. Has to be done though.

 

[weegie]

Hi Kursty
Waiting on a phone call now. THG will do the barium for £450, but fingers crossed there is a chance that part is covered by our medical insurance. Not the fill which I have already booked for tomorrow. Looking to see Mr Carter at Ross Hall. Either way I will get it done. I am just praying the outcome does not mean immediate surgery which will muck up my planned revision surgery in June.

 

[kurstywursty]

Hope you make it through till your surgery babe. Good luck xx

 

[weegie]

Thanks you so much Kursty. Thats the thought swirling round in my brain at the moment. Also got a 3 week holiday to fit inbetween now and then. Crossed everything.

 

[marcusbm]

Hi Kursty Waiting on a phone call now. THG will do the barium for £450, but fingers crossed there is a chance that part is covered by our medical insurance. Not the fill which I have already booked for tomorrow. Looking to see Mr Carter at Ross Hall. Either way I will get it done. I am just praying the outcome does not mean immediate surgery which will muck up my planned revision surgery in June.

I paid less than £200 at Nuffield for a barium swallow. I still have the images somewhere (link on my diary).

 

[weegie]

Hi Marcus, I think the sales pitch from THG was that they had a bariatric specialist ( dont know if nurse of Dr ) look at the results. Anyway all that is moot, my husband produced his health insurance and seems it will cover diagnostics. I nearly fainted when I saw how much he was paying a year, much more than we can afford tbh. I would much rather have the back up of the NHS, what if I need more than diagnostics? Might mean I cant have my bypass. :sigh: