Endoscopy • Colonoscopy
What to Expect
A member of our staff will contact you by telephone a week prior to your scheduled procedure. We will review your clinical information, including insurance and financials, and answer any questions you may have. We ask that you bring a companion who can drive you home after your procedure. Because of medication you will take for your procedure, you will not be allowed to drive yourself home or leave our Center unaccompanied.
Preparing for Your Procedure
Your doctor will give you detailed instructions to prepare for your procedure. Please make certain that you follow these instructions carefully so that your procedure can be performed as scheduled. Here are some general guidelines:
• On the night before your procedure, your doctor may ask that you do not eat or drink anything after 12 midnight, including water.
• Bring the name and phone number of your primary care physician, pharmacy and a complete list of all your prescribed and over-the counter medications, including dosage amounts and frequency.
• Wear comfortable clothes, shoes with low heels, and little or no makeup.
• Leave jewelry and other valuables at home.
• Bring protective cases for contact lenses, eyeglasses and hearing aids.
After Your Procedure
You will receive detailed instructions following your procedure. Your doctor generally will discuss your test results on the day of the procedure; however, the results of some tests might take several days.
• In the case of endoscopy, your throat might be a little sore, and you might feel bloated because of the air introduced into your stomach during the test. You will be able to eat after your procedure unless your doctor instructs otherwise.
• After colonoscopy, you might feel bloating or some mild cramping because of the air that was passed into the colon during the examination. This will disappear quickly when you pass gas. Complications are rare. However, contact your doctor if you develop severe abdominal pain, fevers and chills, or rectal bleeding of more than one-half cup.
• Most patients feel fine after their endoscopy or colonoscopy. Some fatigue is common after the examination, and you should plan to take it easy and relax the rest of the day.
We’re Here to Help
The day after your procedure, a member of our staff will call to check on your progress. We want to ensure that you feel comfortable and are satisfied with your experience at Galloway Endoscopy Center. If you have any questions before, during or after your procedure, please ask us.