Modified Barium Swallow (MBS): What to Expect During the Procedure

Typically, you are not put to sleep for a modified barium swallow.

A modified barium swallow is a safe, noninvasive procedure that looks at how your mouth, throat, and esophagus move when you swallow. An X-ray is taken while you drink barium, a liquid that coats the inside of these structures and helps to make them visible. The X-rays are taken as you swallow, so you will need to cooperate with the procedure in order to get the best possible images.