Upper Endoscopy

An upper endoscopy is performed to diagnose and treat various conditions of the upper digestive tract. This procedure is performed in an endoscopy center or hospital.

After sedation is administered, a thin, flexible, lighted tube called an endoscope (EN-doh-scope) is passed into the esophagus (food tube) and advanced into the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. The endoscope transmits an image of the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, so the physician can carefully examine the lining of these organs. The scope also inflates the stomach with air; this expands the folds of tissue and makes it easier for the physician to examine the stomach. The physician can see abnormalities through the endoscope that may not be seen on X-rays, such as inflammation, ulcers, or bleeding. The physician can also insert instruments into the endoscope to remove samples of tissue (biopsies) for further tests, treat bleeding abnormalities, and remove some types of lesions.

You will receive a call from the facility with your arrival time.

Any procedures canceled within 24 hours will result in a fee of $100.

  • If you are taking a GLP-1, weight loss medication, it is important that you follow a clear liquid diet for at least 24 hours before the procedure. Please refer to Clear Liquid Diet.
  • Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before. If it is an afternoon procedure, you may have clear liquids from midnight the night before up until 9:00am the day of your procedure.
  • If you take a medication for blood pressure, please take it early the morning of your procedure with just a tiny sip of water.
  • Please inform your doctor if you are taking Lorcaserin. 

CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY if you are on or start any blood thinning medication before your procedure date.

BLOOD THINNERS:

  • Coumadin (Warfarin) 
  • Plavix (Clopidogrel)
  • Pletal (Cilostazol)
  • Efficient (Prasugrel)
  • Aggrenox (Aspirin/dipyridamole)
  • Pradaxa (Dabigatran)
  • Savaysa (Edoxaban)
  • Xarelto (Rivaroxaban)
  • Eliquis (Apixaban)
  • Brilinta (Ticagrelor)

STOP 10 DAYS BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE

  • All Iron supplements

STOP 7 DAYS BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE

  • Phentermine (Adipex-P, ionamin, pro-fast)
  • Ibuprofen
  • Naproxen
  • Celebrex

STOP 4 DAYS BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE

  • Steglatro (Ertugliflozin)

STOP 3 DAYS BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE

  • Invokana (Canagliflozin)
  • Farxiga (Dapagliflozin)
  • Xigduo (Dapagliflozin/Metformin)
  • Jardiance (Empagliflozin)

STOP 24 HOURS BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE

  • Oral Diabetic Medications
  • Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine)

DIABETIC PATIENTS:

  • If you take insulin, contact the prescribing physician for instructions.
  • If you take oral DIABETIC medications, you should not take your pills the night before or in the morning prior to your procedure.

YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO DRIVE THE ENTIRE DAY OF THE UPPER ENDOSCOPY.  Make sure you arrange for transportation home. You may resume normal activities the day after your procedure.

*Many insurance companies have co-pays and/or deductibles for outpatient procedures.  Please check with your insurance company to see what your out-of-pocket expenses will be.