Barium Follow Through

You must fast from midnight the night before your examination. 

Do not eat or drink anything including water on the morning of your examination. 

Do not smoke on the morning of your examination. 

If your gender at birth was female and you are of childbearing age, this procedure must be carried out within the first 10 days of your cycle.

If there is any possibility that you may be pregnant please inform us immediately on receipt of this appointment.

Upon arrival you will be asked to change into a hospital gown.

 You will be asked to drink a white fluid called Barium. 

This outlines the stomach and intestine. 

 You will then have a series of x-rays taken

The x-rays might be done in a prone (laying facedown) position.

This examination may take up to four hours due to the series of x-rays that needs to be taken.

After the examination you will be able to eat and drink normally. 

You should drink plenty of fluids to help clear the bowel of barium. 

You might experience white stools post procedure.

The x-ray images will be reported by the radiologist and the results will be forwarded to your doctor within 5 working days.