Monday, November 4, 2013

Barium Swallow and Feeding Tube

I have to fast for this procedure. I check into Radiology in the afternoon and am taken back to the procedure room. We start the usual stuff. I get changed into a gown and the nurse explains what they are going to do. The Dr. comes in that is going to do all the testing and place the tube. I take my position near the x-ray machine and start drinking all their lovely concoctions of barium. The test is completed and it’s time for the feeding tube to be placed.

I lay on my back underneath an x-ray machine and the fun begins. The first thing that happens is they inject a lidocaine jelly into my nose and have me snort it in. This will numb the cavity and throat. He begins sliding it through and I only gag 4 times as it goes in. It takes a good 10-12 minutes before it is all the way in place. The tube gets taped to my nose and cheek. He then brings me in the room to explain what he can see is going on from the x-rays.

The first is I have either another hiatal hernia or the one that was fixed in the initial surgery has come undone. Second, I now have a lovely case of reflux. And last, the surgical anastomosis (surgical connection) appears to be pinched off and is measuring at 1 cm (10 mm). This measurement is the same as when we first started doing the dilation procedures. 

So to me and the Radiologist, some form of the surgery needs to be re-done. How much of the surgery, neither of us know.

Machine that runs the feeding tube

Feeding tube bags that hold the "food"

Staying positive. Evening of feeding tube placement.



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