What Is an Upper GI and Small Bowel Follow Through?
An upper GI exam looks at the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small bowel). A small bowel follow through looks at the rest of the small bowel. You will need to drink barium for before the x-rays. Barium is a white, bland tasting liquid.. You may need to swallow small white granules with water to create air in the stomach. Some patients require medicine to slow the stomach. You will need to change positions while they take x-rays and the doctor may press on your belly to move the barium in your bowel. During the small bowel follow through exam, several x-rays will be taken every 15 minutes to 1-hour until the barium gets to the large bowel. Please allow up to 1 hour for an Upper GI and 1-4 hours for a small bowel exam. After the Exam A report of the test results will be sent to your local doctor. He/she will talk with you about the results. You may take a mild laxative to help you expel the barium or drink plenty of fluids. The color of your bowel movements will b
