What Does an Endoscopy Entail?

An endoscopy is a procedure used for diagnosis and, sometimes, treatment of problems in the digestive tract. Dr. Bharat Pothuri — here at GastroDoxs in Cypress, Texas — uses a flexible tool affixed with a light and tiny camera to view your insides. Images from your digestive tract are projected on a monitor in the procedure room. 

This endoscope is inserted either through your mouth (upper endoscopy) to evaluate the esophagus, stomach, and small intestines, or through the rectum (lower endoscopy or colonoscopy) to evaluate the large intestine, colon, and rectum. The procedure does not involve surgery.

Dr. Pothuri may order an endoscopy to evaluate stomach pain, ulcers, difficulty swallowing, digestive tract bleeding, or changes in bowel habits. A lower endoscopy may also be ordered to check for colon cancer and evaluate polyps in the colon.

If you’re coming to GastroDoxs for an endoscopy, here’s what you can expect from your procedure.

Preparation for an endoscopy

Dr. Pothuri will instruct you to fast for 6-8 hours prior to an upper endoscopy. No other preparation is necessary.

If you’re having a lower endoscopy, or a colonoscopy, you’ll take a series of laxatives and follow a clear liquid diet the day before the procedure to clear your colon of waste.

Expect to be sedated for upper and lower endoscopies. Sedation is administered through an IV and relaxes you enough so you’re comfortable during the procedure. You may fall into a light sleep and will have few or no memories of the procedure. 

You will need to arrange a ride home as it’s not safe to drive right after sedation.

During an endoscopy

You’ll relax on a treatment table for your procedure. Technicians attach monitors to your body to keep track of your vitals during the entire procedure. 

Dr. Pothuri may spray a topical anesthetic in your mouth to numb your throat in preparation for insertion of the endoscope. He inserts a plastic mouth guard to hold your mouth open. 

You’ll feel some pressure as the endoscope slides down your throat. You can breathe easily once it’s placed, but can’t speak. 

Depending on the reason for your procedure, Dr. Pothuri may feed gentle air pressure through the tube to inflate your digestive tract to see the area more clearly. If there is tissue that needs to be removed or biopsied, Dr. Pothuri passes small surgical tools through the endoscope to complete this part of the procedure.

Once the evaluation is complete and any biopsies done, the endoscope is removed slowly. 

If you’re having a lower endoscopy, the procedure is similar, but the endoscope is placed through your rectum.

After your endoscopy

We’ll make sure your vital signs are normal and that your sedation has worn off before sending you home to fully recover. After an upper endoscopy, it’s normal to have a sore throat. 

An upper or lower endoscopy can leave you with bloating and gas and cramping. These symptoms improve in a few hours, but if you have any concerns, contact our office right away.

Plan to just relax for rest of the day following your procedure. 

Dr. Pothuri shares the results of your endoscopy as soon as they’re available, and you're lucid enough to understand them. For example, if he found an ulcer, you may find out right away. If tissue samples were taken, it may take a few days to get results back from the lab. 

Trust Dr. Pothuri and GastroDoxs for all your gastroenterology needs. If you’re suffering symptoms that call for an endoscopy, we’re here for you. Call GastroDoxs for a consultation or book an appointment online.