HealthInfo Aoraki South Canterbury

Gastroscopy

Whakamātaunga whēkau

Gastroscopy is a procedure that lets doctors see inside your stomach and small bowel.

In a gastroscopy, a small, flexible tube is passed into your mouth. It goes down your throat and oesophagus (food pipe) and into your stomach and small bowel.

The tube (called an endoscope) is about the width of a little finger. It has a tiny video camera at the end. This allows doctors to see inside your oesophagus, stomach and the first part of your small bowel. The doctor can also take small samples of tissue if necessary.

A gastroscopy is done in hospital, but you can usually go home the same day. You do not need to have a general anaesthetic, but you can have a sedative to help you relax and reduce discomfort.

Medications

• You should take any essential medications as usual. For example, heart medications, psychiatric medications, steroids and epilepsy medications.
• Please phone the elective services coordinator on (03) 687-2127 if you are taking insulin or anticoagulants (blood thinners). You may need to stop taking or adjust these medications.
• When you come for your examination, please bring all your medications with you.

After the gastroscopy

• You will not be given anything to eat or drink for 1 hour after your procedure.
• The doctor or nurse will explain the results to you.
• Your follow-up may be at an outpatient clinic appointment or with your general practice team.
• You need to arrange for someone to pick you up approximately two hours after the examination. You should not be alone for the rest of the day or overnight.
• Even if you feel alert after the procedure, your judgement and reflexes may be impaired by sedation. Do not drive a vehicle, operate any machinery, drink alcohol, ride on public transport alone, sign any legal documents or make any important decisions for 24 hours.

Further information

You have been given this information to prepare you for the procedure. If you have any questions about your need for a gastroscopy or about other tests, do not hesitate to speak to your doctor. If you have any questions that have not been answered, please discuss them with the endoscopy nurse or doctor before the examination begins.

  HealthInfo recommends the following videos

• Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust – Gastroscopy video

  This video provides detailed information on what gastroscopy involves. It also shows what the endoscope looks like.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed February 2024.

Sources

Page reference: 89222

Review key: HIGAS-20306