Pre and Post Instructions
Upper GI Series/Small Bowel

What is an upper GI Series?
The upper GI stands for the upper gastrointestinal area. It can be referred to as a barium swallow when the exam is performed for the pharynx or esophagus. This is a common procedure used to visualize the stomach and small intestines. The upper GI series can identify and locate ulcers, obstructions, polyps, and other inflammatory diseases of the stomach and small intestines. An upper GI examination takes less than 1 hour. The small bowel examination immediately follows the upper GI to watch the flow of barium throughout the small intestine until it reaches you colon (large intestine). Time-delayed pictures are taken and checked with the radiologist. A small bowel examination can last from 1 to 4 hours.

What is the preparation?
In order to adequately prepare you stomach for an upper GI you may not eat or drink 10 hours prior to you examination time, including the morning of your exam.

What is the examination like?
You will be asked to remove your clothing and put on an x-ray gown. You will stand against the x-ray table and the x-ray equipment will be positioned in front of you. You will be given a carbonated beverage and a barium drink to swallow when instructed by the radiologist. You may be given thick barium as well as thin barium. Barium is a liquid contrast medium that looks like a milkshake and may be flavored. When you swallow this liquid, it coats the throat and stomach so the radiologist can see the soft tissue structure. The radiologist will watch as you drink the barium contrast and will take x-ray images. The x-ray table will be moved to a lying down position. You will be asked to turn from side to side and more images will be taken. IF you are having a small bowel examination, the Radiologic Technologist will take images every 15-30 minutes to watch the progression of the barium through your small intestines until it reaches your large intestine. After this procedure you may resume normal activities.

What do you need to do after the procedure?
It is very important to maintain your regular diet and drink lots of water throughout the day - 6 to 8 glasses. This will allow your intestinal tract to be sufficiently cleansed of the barium and to avoid constipation.

What about the results?
Once the exam is completed, the x-rays will be studied by the radiologist and compared to any available prior x-rays of the same area.
A written report of the findings will be forwarded to your physician either by fax or mail. Please allow a few days before contacting your physician for the results.

Questions?
If you have any questions before or after your appointment, please call the Radiology Department at 802-257-8820.

For more information on the Department of Radiology at BMH click here.