What To Expect for Small Bowel Follow Through
This examination is designed to image the small bowel by giving Barium to drink by the patient. X-rays are then taken approximately every half hour until the barium has moved through the small bowel and reached the large bowel. The time that this takes is different in every patient, so the exact length of the exam may vary. The average time is between 1 and 3 hours.
Preparation
This is a morning appointment. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the examination. Small Bowel exams may take up to three hours to complete.
Recommendations for Patients After Barium Exams
Many patients find that they tend to be constipated after Barium Exams, especially if they have been prone to this condition in the past. To prevent this, after any Barium Procedure it is recommended that you drink plenty of fluids. If you are 'fluid restricted' due to heart or kidney disease or think you will require a laxative please discuss this with your doctor.