Hey ALl,
I had my step 1 on 7th aug and waiting for takedown. Still there is time but was curious about what pre-testing do I need to do before takedown.Also for first step I had to clear my bowels with laxatives.How does it work for step 2? Do I have to take laxatives or just not eat anything a day before?
thanks in advance !!

lets see, pre testing....well, they do the Xray study where they put contrast in your pouch to make sure no leaks and you are ready for takedown. I don't recall any other testing. Once I was cleared that there was no problems with pouch. Takedown was scheduled. As for prep, I was nothing to eat past midnight. Thats it. But that will vary from surgeon to surgeon. The Surgeon who did my first surgery did NOT do my takedown. The first one insisted on an NG for takedown because 10% of people have post-op problems. So I went to a different surgeon for takedown. I decided to take my 90% chance that I would not need an NG and I was correct.
You might want to discuss some of those things with your surgeon.
LoriP

I had the 3 step and for 2 & 3 I just had to be on clear liquids the day before and nothing by mouth the morning of surgery. The only test I had before takedown was a barium enema test where they insert a small cathedar and shoot barium up to fill up the pouch and take xray pic's in different positions. I think you are supposed to expell the barium while on the table so they can see how your pouch works, but call me a prude--I couldn't do it unless I was on the toilet! Not painful at all!

You will have a pouchogram where they inject dye through the anus to look for leaks. For the takedown, you will be on liquids the day before and I took magnesium citrate the night before. It was only the second time the bag leaked too.