Endoscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract (upper gastrointestinal endoscopy)

Before your procedure, your care team will walk you through each step and answer any questions you have. You may be asked to fast for a set number of hours, adjust certain medications, and complete blood tests or imaging beforehand. Please arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home, since you may not be able to drive yourself after sedation.

You may receive a mild sedative to help you relax. Do not eat or drink anything for 6–8 hours before the procedure. Wear comfortable clothing and arrange for someone to drive you home afterward, as you may feel groggy.

During the procedure, you will be made as comfortable as possible, and anesthesia or sedation will be given exactly as planned. Your care team will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels throughout the entire time. Most procedures take between 30 minutes and 2 hours, depending on your specific condition and treatment plan.

A doctor inserts a flexible tube (endoscope) through your mouth or nose into your esophagus. The camera captures images of your digestive tract while a doctor guides the tube carefully. You may feel mild discomfort but should not experience pain.

Aftercare and recovery begin with a short monitoring period before you are discharged to go home. Follow your surgeon's written instructions carefully regarding wound care, bathing, activity limits, and prescribed medications. Mild soreness and fatigue are common during the first few days, so plan to rest, stay hydrated, and have help at home if needed. Attend all scheduled follow-up visits so your progress can be checked.

After the procedure, you’ll rest for a short time before being allowed to leave. Avoid strenuous activity for the rest of the day. You may have mild soreness or bloating, but this should improve quickly. Follow your doctor’s instructions for any prescribed medications or follow-up tests.

Possible risks and complications include bleeding, infection, blood clots, and reactions to anesthesia, although most patients recover smoothly without any problems. Contact your care team right away if you develop a fever, worsening pain, redness or drainage at the procedure site, leg swelling, shortness of breath, or any other symptom that concerns you.

While rare, complications can include bleeding, infection, or perforation of the digestive tract. Your doctor will assess risks based on your health and medical history before proceeding.