Gastric Endoscopy and What to Expect

A gastric endoscopy is a medical procedure used to diagnose stomach ulcers, take biopsies of the stomach and esophagus, and is generally done before gastric bypass surgery. It is a nerve-wracking procedure for anyone facing a gastric endoscopy; no one wants a tube shoved down his throat!

I recently had to have a gastric endoscopy to diagnose a stomach ulcer. Since I was wide awake for it (my IV failed and I didn't get the drugs they give to relax you), I'm going to share step by step exactly what happened during my gastric endoscopy.

Before the Gastric Endoscopy: Preparation

The night before the gastric endoscopy, get plenty to drink, because you will not be able to eat or drink after midnight.

Generally, gastric endoscopies are done first thing in the morning. You will check into your hospital and they will admit you as an outpatient, since you will be going home shortly after your gastric endoscopy is over. Vital signs will be taken, you will be asked to strip from the waist up and don a hospital gown, and then you will be escorted into the procedure room.

Gastric Endoscopy: Procedure

For my gastric endoscopy, there were two nurses: one to assist the doctor during the procedure and another to keep an eye on your vital signs. A nurse will insert an IV which will deliver medications to help you relax. These drugs vary, but I was supposed to get Demerol for pain and Versed, which is an anti-anxiety medication used to produce sleepiness.

The endoscope itself is a black tube, about the same diameter as a nickle, with a small lens at the end for the camera. The endoscope is hollow to allow the doctor to insert tiny scissors for the biopsies.

The nurse smeared some numbing gel onto my lips, then inserted a mouth guard, which prevents the patient from biting down on the endoscope. Once the medications are administered, the doctor will begin the gastric endoscopy.

In order for the doctor to get the endoscope past your gag reflex, you will need to swallow. You will gag hard, probably several times, but once the endoscope is inserted, you won't be gagging anymore.

Because of the administered drugs, you probably won't feel, or you won't remember feeling, the endoscope traveling down your esophagus and into your stomach. The doctor will look around, take pictures of any abnormalities, and in my case, he took four biopsies.

Gastric Endoscopy: After the procedure

The gastric endoscopy lasts about 10 - 15 minutes once the scope is inserted. When the endoscope is removed, you will be allowed time to rest and recover from the medication. You will need a ride home, since you aren't allowed to drive for the rest of the day.

You will be drowsy and will probably have a sore throat afterward. Because my IV blew and I didn't get the medication, I was able to go back to work that afternoon. However, the nurse told me most patients prefer to go home and rest.