The Upper Endoscopy Procedure: What to Expect

At Waco Gastroenterology Associates, serving Waco, TX, and the general vicinity, one of our specialists may recommend you undergo an upper endoscopy to check for acid reflux, celiac disease, stomach ulcers, or other conditions that affect the upper GI tract, which includes the esophagus and stomach as well as a small portion of the small intestines. Here's what to expect:

Know How to Prepare 

 A physician from our Waco, TX, practice will provide you with all the information you need to undergo the procedure safely. For instance, we'll ask you about any medications you take, such as blood thinners. We'll also want to know about any over-the-counter drugs or supplements you take, as these can affect the procedure as well.

Based on our findings, we'll let you know if there are any medications you should stop and how soon before the procedure.

Most people opt for a sedative to make an upper endoscopy more comfortable. Therefore, you'll need to stop eating and drinking a certain number of hours before the procedure because the sedative makes it more likely you'll vomit. And that could be aspirated into your lungs during the procedure. Generally, we advise you to stop at midnight before an endoscopy.

On the Day of Your Procedure

 Particularly, if you're taking a sedative, please have somebody drive you to and from the appointment. Depending on our plan, you may need to take medication before you arrive.

You can expect the procedure to take between 15 and 30 minutes.

During the Procedure

 Once you're here, we'll ask you to remove your top and put on a hospital gown. We'll then ask you to lie either on your back or side. So we ensure your safety throughout the procedure, we'll connect you to sensors that monitor the following: heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure.

If you're receiving IV sedation, we'll connect it at this point. You should feel "out of it" and less aware. You may feel drowsy or disoriented. At the end of the procedure, you won't remember much of what happened.

A specialist from our practice will then insert the endoscopy into the esophagus, stomach, and/or upper part of the small intestines. Your physician will watch the camera's findings in real-time. The doctor may collect a sample of tissue, depending on your particular situation. 

After the Test

Typically, we'll ask you to remain in our care for 30 minutes to an hour to ensure the sedative wears off safely.

You can then return home and will usually have minimal discomfort. You may feel groggy or bloated or have a sore throat temporarily. Contact Waco Gastrology Associates, serving Waco, TX, at 254-537-0911.