You’ll be taken into the procedure room and placed on a bed in a comfortable position, rolled on your left side.
The doctor will guide the gastroscopy tube down your oesophagus, into your stomach and the first part of your small intestine (duodenum), to view these organs from the inside. It has a light and video camera that transmits images to a monitor, where the doctor can see them.
If your doctor sees something abnormal, they can remove all or part of it using tiny instruments passed through the scope. The doctor sends the tissue sample (biopsy) to a lab for testing.
Generally, there’s little or no discomfort.
Medical and nursing staff will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen level.
The procedure usually takes 15–30 minutes depending on the circumstances.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Information is provided by HCF in good faith for the convenience of members. It is not an endorsement or recommendation of any form of treatment nor is it a substitute for medical advice, and you should rely on the advice of your treating doctors in relation to all matters concerning your health. Every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, however HCF takes no responsibility for any injury, loss, damage or other consequences of the use of this information.