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Medical Imaging – X-ray, ‘Scan’ and Ultra Sound

There are a variety of reasons why you may need to have an X-ray or ultra sound scan either before gastric band surgery or after you have had your gastric band fitted as part of your weight loss surgery follow up.

If you have had surgery elsewhere and want to transfer your care to us we will ask that you have an X-ray as part of your initial transfer appointment. If you have a gastric band in place you will at the same time have an adjustment according to clinical indication  Contact us now 

Before surgery aimed to help weightloss, it is usual that doctors see inside your gullet, stomach and small intestine.  They also need to assess any symptoms that may include persistent upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing. A gastroscopy, using a thin flexible tube with its own lens and light source is the preferred method. However, sometimes an x-ray may be required.

After gastric banding or gastric bypass surgery it is often routine to have an x-ray or an ultrasound scan. This may be to confirm that the gastric band is correctly positioned. Any post-operative problems such as a slipped gastric band are also easily confirmed with an x-ray and barium swallow examination.

X-rays / contrast swallows (sometimes termed fluroscopy) are sometimes used when filling, or adjusting, a gastric band.  Post weight loss surgery your specialist team may use x-ray techniques in adjusting a gastric bands to achieve optimal restriction or to exclude possible complications.

Gastric band adjustments / fills / infills are normally painless. Your first band adjustment usually takes place between 6 – 8 weeks after the weight reduction surgery.

The Gastric Band Service/AOS (Avon Obesity Service) team includes radiologist Dr Michael Darby BA, MB BS, MRCP, FRCR, whose special clinical interest is cross-sectional body imaging (CT and MRI), chest medicine, paediatrics and bariatric surgery. Dr Darby is the lead radiologist of the Specialist MDT at Southmead Hospital North Bristol NHS Trust and regularly provides expert analysis of diagnostic imaging for those having undergone weight loss surgery.