Gastroscopy At Harmony
Home > Gastroscopy
What is a Gastroscopy?
An upper endoscopy, or a ‘Gastroscopy’ is a simple procedure that allows a doctor to look inside your digestive system using a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera at the end. It helps diagnose and sometimes treat conditions affecting your oesophagus (food pipe), stomach, and intestines. The procedure is usually quick, and people can go home the same day.
Our clinic uses high-quality disposable endoscopes to ensure the highest standards of infection control and patient safety. As these are single-use devices, once opened for your procedure, they cannot be reused. If, for any reason, your procedure cannot be completed, the cost of the endoscope will still be included in your bill.
Can I have an Endoscopy on the same day?
We offer a Gastroscopy during your clinic appointment, should you require it. However this is performed without a sedative. For this you will be given a numbing spray to tolerate the passage of the scope into your gullet. This procedure takes around 7-10 minutes.
Most patients can tolerate the procedure with the numbing spray. We will check if you are able to tolerate the procedure by using a disposable tongue depressor to check your tolerability, prior to opening the endoscope.
Our clinic uses high-quality disposable endoscopes to ensure the highest standards of infection control and patient safety. As these are single-use devices, once opened for your procedure, they cannot be reused. If, for any reason, your procedure cannot be completed, the cost of the endoscope will still be included in your bill although the procedure may not be charged.
We will review the endoscopy findings with you, give you a report, and a treatment plan. With your consent, a copy of your report is also sent to your GP.
If a biopsy has been taken during the procedure, the report from the pathologist will be communicated with you as soon as it is available, with any recommendations.
Can I have a Gastroscopy under sedation?
Yes. You have the option of having the procedure under conscious or deep sedation. If you require conscious sedation or deep sedation for your endoscopy, this will need to be arranged in advance. Deep sedation is administered by an anaesthesiologist.
Procedures under sedation require additional scheduling. Please let us know your preference when booking your procedure so we can make the necessary arrangements for your comfort and safety.
Procedures under sedation are followed by a recovery time of 30 minutes.
Remember, if you have had sedation, you must not drive, operate any heavy machinery or take any important decisions (especially legal decisions) for the next 24 hours. You must have a responsible person collect you following the recovery period and look after you for the next 24 hours.
You may resume normal activities after the 24 hour period.
Do I need to make any changes to my current medicines for the procedure?
Yes, in some instances minor, temporary changes to your current medicine regimen are necessary to perform the procedure safely.
Diabetes Mellitus – Type 1 or Type 2
Since you must follow a 6 hour fast, there is a risk of running a low blood sugar level.
- If you are on insulin, you are advised to avoid the dose on the morning of procedure.
- If you are on tablets, avoid taking the dose on the day of the procedure.
- Please carry a sugary drink with you to help with any episode of low blood sugar.
Following the procedure you may take a small meal and continue your medications as usual.
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
If you are on medicines for high blood pressure, you MUST TAKE your medicine on the day of the procedure.
Blood thinning medicines
- If you are on Aspirin, Clopidogrel, Ticagrelor, or a combination of these, you may continue to take them normally.
- If you are on Warfarin or Acenocoumarin, you must omit the dose on the day of procedure. However we will still need your latest INR value (to see if your warfarin dose is within the recommended range), valid within the last 2 weeks. You can have this tested at your GP clinic.
- If you are on Apixaban, Edoxaban, Rivaroxaban or Dabigatran, you must omit the dose on the day of procedure.
Antacid tablets, commonly called ‘PPIs’ (Omeprazole, Esomeprazole, Pantoprazole, Lansoprazole)
- It is advisable to stop this medicine at least 2 weeks prior to your endoscopy.
- Some patients may not be able to stop these as it may cause severe heartburn. In this situation, please get in touch so we can advise alternatives for this period.
- Patients with a recently diagnosed ulcer or severe inflammation on endoscopy, Barrett’s oesophagus and/ or Zollinger Ellison syndrome must NOT STOP their medicine.
Please tell us if you are on Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, Saxenda.
Where you are unsure about any of the above instructions or you have any questions about another medicine, do feel free to reach out to us.
Are there any risks to having a Gastroscopy ?
An upper endoscopy (Gastroscopy) is a safe and commonly performed procedure. However, as with any medical procedure, there are some risks. Serious complications are rare, but it’s important to be aware of them:
- Sore throat or bloating – Mild discomfort is common after the procedure and usually settles within a few hours.
- Bleeding (less than 1 in 1,000 cases) – If a biopsy is taken or a polyp is removed, there may be a small risk of minor bleeding, which usually stops on its own.
- Perforation (about 1 in 10,000 cases) – This is a rare but serious complication where the wall of the digestive tract is accidentally torn. If this happens, further treatment or surgery may be needed.
- Reaction to sedation (less than 1 in 10,000 cases) – Some people may experience breathing or heart-related issues, but this is extremely rare and monitored carefully.
In case of any complication, the clinic has protocols in place to ensure that you are transferred to an NHS facility with good communication.
Most people have a smooth and straightforward experience with no complications. If you have any concerns, we’re happy to discuss them before your procedure.