Preparation for Upper Endoscopy
INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE THE PROCEDURE
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the test. (Unless otherwise instructed by the doctor or nurse).
- If you are a diabetic, please let your doctor and nurse know so adjustments may be made regarding your insulin or pills.
- Do Not take over the counter NSAID’s such as advil, motrin, aleve, nuprin, celebrex for
atleast one week prior to your procedure. If you take blood thinners such as asprin, Plavix, Heprin or Coumadin, please tell your doctor at your office visit. These medications increase the risk of bleeding and could be dangerous if not stopped prior to a biopsy being taken. - Please bring with you all your medication bottles or a list of medications you are currently taking.
THE PROCEDURE
You should plan to spend approximately 2 hours in the endoscopy center for preparation, procedure and recovery time.
Your throat will be sprayed with a medication to make it anesthetized or numbed therefore, helps the tube pass easier. Intravenous sedation will be given.. The endoscope will then be placed in the back of your mouth and you will be asked to swallow. The endoscope does not interfere with breathing. As the doctor begins his examination, some air will be inserted through the endoscope to better visualize the stomach. The procedure itself lasts from 15 to 30 minutes.
Instructions After the Procedure
- The doctor will discuss the results with you and your family member. This is done because the medication has an amnesic effect. Biopsy results take about one to two weeks. Please make a follow up office visit two to four weeks after your procedure.
- You may resume a normal diet after the procedure unless directed otherwise by the doctor or nurse.
- You may experience some mild soreness or discomfort following a dilatation of the esophagus, however, should you experience severe chest pain, please notify your doctor immediately.
- You may have some soreness of the throat, not lasting longer than 24 hours. Warm salt-water gargles may help this.
- Because of the medications you will be given with this procedure, it is imperative that you follow ALL instructions below for the remainder of the day.
- DO NOT drive a car or operate any machinery.
- DO NOT drink any alcoholic beverages.
- DO NOT take any sedatives or other depressant-type medications without first discussing this with your physician.
- AVOID making important decisions.
- AVOID signing any legal documents.
- The above restrictions apply only to the day of your procedure. You should be able to resume your normal daily activities on the following day. We feel these restrictions are in your best interest, and stress the importance of following them
Purchase bowel preparation/laxatives and review your instruction atleast one week prior to avoid last minute confusion.