Ultrasound, CT Scan & Chest Xray
This was the first of a series of tests requested by my Bariatric Surgeon
CT Scan
This was my first ever CT Scan… A CT scan uses x-rays to make detailed cross-sectional images of your body. it is that big doughnut like machine that has components which spins. around your body as it moves through on a motorised sled… Very impressive bit of machinery….
An abdominal CT scan helps the surgeon see the organs, blood vessels, and bones in your abdominal cavity. The multiple images provided give many different views of your body.
First I had to drink a litre of “water” over 45 minutes – a cup every 5 minutes or so. Not much of a challenge I thought… but the “water” wasn’t actually water, it was an oral contrast – a liquid that contains barium solution designed to show up in the x-ray. The first cup wasn’t too bad – a mild aniseed flavour… but cupfull after cupfull, the flavour certainly doesn’t grow on you.
Immediately prior to the scan I was also injected with a contrast dye to highlight blood vessels, organs, and other structures. It apparently only take 8seconds from injection to brain… what an impressive machine the human body is.
Chest X-ray
Very simple and quick… stand in front of a machine, dont move, click buzz and it is all done.
Abdominal Ultrasound
Again, pretty straightforward… Lie on you back and the nurse rubs on some gel and prods around a bit with the ultrasound head, roll on your side.. same thing… Then you get to wipe all the goo off… and all done.
Some of these test were bulk billed, but others I had to pay for – around $200