Upper Endoscopy (EGD) in NJ

What Happens During Upper Endoscopy in NJ?

When you arrive for your upper endoscopy appointment, your physician will make sure that any remaining questions you have about the procedure are answered. You will be instructed to lie on the table either on your back or side. Monitors may be attached to you to make sure your breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate are adequate. At that time, you will receive Propofol medication through Intravenous (IV) to make you fall asleep. In certain rare cases, your doctor may give you a painkiller and spray an anesthetic in your mouth to numb your throat. The endoscope will then be inserted into your mouth and passed down your throat. This procedure should not cause any pain and will not affect your breathing. Since the purpose of this test is to view abnormalities in your upper digestive tract, images and/or videos will be taken to be reviewed after the procedure. Gentle air pressure may be fed into your esophagus to inflate your digestive tract. If further investigation is needed, your doctor will pass special surgical tools through the endoscope to collect tissue samples or remove a polyp. Once the examination is complete, the endoscope is slowly retracted through your mouth. The entire test takes between 5 and 20 minutes.

What Happens After Your EGD Test?

After your upper endoscopy in NJ, you will be advised to take it easy for the rest of the day. The effects of the anesthesia can persist for 24 hours. After receiving the sedation, you must exercise extreme caution before engaging in any activity that could be harmful to yourself or others (such as driving a car). Do not make any important decisions and do not drink any alcoholic beverages during this time. After your procedure, you may have anything you’d like to eat or drink (aside from alcohol), although you should start with something light. Please include plenty of fluids. Avoid items that cause gas, such as sodas and salads. You may experience some mildly uncomfortable symptoms, such as bloating, gas, cramps, and a sore throat. They will improve with time, however, if you’re concerned or have any questions, contact your doctor. You should also only take medication prescribed by your doctor. Please keep in mind that if your procedure requires the placement of a metal clip, you cannot have an MRI for 30 days.

What are the Possible Complications of Upper Endoscopy?

Although complications are very rare following an upper endoscopy, they can occur. Possible complications can include:

• Bleeding at the biopsy site (which may be minimal and rarely requires a follow up)
• A hole or tear in the gastrointestinal tract lining called perforation (this is rare, however, surgery may be required to fix this)
• Reaction to the sedatives or complications from heart or lung disease.

If you experience any of the following symptoms after your upper endoscopy, you should contact your doctor at DHC immediately:

• Fever
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Bloody, black, or very dark colored stool
• Difficulty swallowing
• Severe or persistent abdominal pain
• Vomiting, especially if your vomit is bloody or looks like coffee grounds

When Will I Receive My Upper Endoscopy Results?

Each person will receive their results differently. You may receive the findings right after the procedure, or it may take up to a week if any biopsies were sent to a lab. Be sure to ask your doctor when you should expect your results.