Endoscopy: What to Expect

Last week I went to hospital for the first time in my life. To be completely honest I was fairly scared. After reading all of the pamphlets the staff booking me in had given me I still had really no idea what was going to happen to me. I mean I understood the mechanics of the procedure and that it wasn't life threatening but it was sort of scary thinking about the little clause down the bottom of the page telling me that there could be complications which could result in a long hospital stay or death! I really had no idea what I was getting myself into.

As per the instructions one the forms I didn't eat for 6 hours before going in. That meant that I went to bed early to make sure I didn't feel like snacking. I had a terrible night's sleep because I kept worrying about things, I couldn't get comfortable and I just wanted it to be over.

My partner picked me up early that morning and a the receptionist had suggested we aimed to get there one and a half hours early. After misjudging the distance to the hospital we ended up around 2 hours early. Funnily enough the clinic didn't actually open until 2 hours later, I was the first appointment. We waited outside the door (there really isn't much to do at 6am!) and eventually the booking nurse let us in. She was very helpful with the forms and I was asked to wait just a little bit longer which was playing havoc on my nerves!

Finally when it was my turn a nurse accompanied myself and my partner into the waiting room. I hopped up on the bed and chatted to the nurse about random things while she took my blood pressure and heart rate. I was introduced to the anaesthesiologist and he placed an IV in my arm. It was slightly more painful than a blood test but really not that bad. All the risks were explained to me and exactly what was going to happen. The anaesthesiologist sprayed a horrible burning spray down my throat. It made my tongue and throat numb and it was slightly hard to breathe.

It was then that my partner was asked to wait outside and I was wheeled into the Operating Room. I said hello to the doctor and we talked while the aesthetic was induced. From that point on I remember nothing of the actual operation. I was fairly lucky in that respect because I am a smaller person I was knocked out completely where as other people remain vaguely aware of what's going on.

The next thing I remember was waking up very slowly and being aware of the nurses at the end of my bed chatting about cats. They let me rest for about 10 minutes and then moved me to some chairs. A very lovely nurse brought me some sandwiches and a cup of tea. I ate quickly and was anxious to get home. They walked me out to my partner and he helped me to the car.

We went home and collapsed into bed. I slept for a good 4 hours and for the rest of the day felt quite fuzzy. It wasn't as horrible as I imagined it to be and the kind and professional nurses helped to rid me of my fears.