Having an Endoscopy

An endoscopy is a medical procedure in which they put a thin tube with a tiny camera on it down your throat to look at your stomach and esophagus. It is done to look for a number of things, like ulcers or tumors. Your doctor might order an endoscopy if you are having upper abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, or bleeding in your stomach. I had to have one done prior to having a gastric bypass last year.

While the doctor is in there looking around, he or she can do other things, as well. For instance, a biopsy can be taken during the endoscopy procedure.

I was very nervous about having my endoscopy. It sounded very unpleasant to me. Fortunately, it turned out to be not such a big deal. Here's what to expect.

You will be asked not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the procedure. Your stomach needs to be empty so the doctor can get a good look around. If you normally take any medication in the morning, ask your doctor if you can take your medication with a small sip of water or if you should wait to take your medication until after the procedure.

An endoscopy is usually done at a hospital, although some doctors might do it at their offices. When you get to the hospital, you will be taken to a pre-surgery area. You'll be asked to change into a hospital gown, and an IV will be started.

You will be sedated for the procedure. Some people actually fall asleep and sleep through the whole thing, while others remain awake but in a very relaxed state. The sedative is given through the IV.

They might spray an anesthetic spray in the back of your throat to help numb it before the procedure, or they might have you gargle with a thick liquid that will numb your throat. This might taste bad.

A plastic mouthpiece will be inserted to keep your mouth open and to keep you from biting on the tube. The mouthpiece is not uncomfortable. When I had my endoscopy, I fell asleep as the doctor was putting the mouthpiece in.

The doctor then inserts the tube with the camera in your mouth and down your throat. The procedure doesn't usually take long, maybe ten or fifteen minutes. It depends on what they're looking for and if they do anything else besides just look. If they are taking a biopsy, for instance, it might take a little longer.

After the procedure is over, you'll stay in a recovery room until the drugs wear off. I woke up in recovery feeling just fine. You might have a slight sore throat, but I didn't.

The doctor should speak to you after you wake up and tell you how things looked. If they had to do a biopsy or some other test, though, it might be a few a days before you get those results.

You will have to have someone there to drive you home since you'll still be somewhat sedated. Actually, I felt like I could have driven myself, but I had someone with me since they told me I had to.

Sources:

Medicine Net. http://www.medicinenet.com/endoscopy/article.htm. Upper Endoscopy.