Q. Why do I have to fill out paperwork and come to your office 15 minutes early for my first appointment?

We try to make sure we mailed out the paperwork to your home prior to your visit. If you did not receive any paperwork or forms, it will be necessary to fill them out when you get to the office. The forms relate to your address and insurance information and your medical history. Completion of the medical history form helps your doctor to better diagnose and manage your problem. Please make sure you have a current copy of your insurance card and an updated list of any medications you currently take.

Q. Why do I need to be on a clear liquid diet the entire day prior to my colonoscopy?

The physician needs your colon to be clear of stool the day of your test. If you eat solid food the day prior to your procedure, your bowel is still processing the food and creating stool. If you have stool in your colon during the procedure, this impairs the physician’s view, resulting in a possible repeat of the prep and the test.

Q. I take daily medications. Should I take them the day of the test?

Yes, Most medications can be taken.
CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR REGARDING BLOOD THINNERS  such as Coumadin, Plavix, Aspirin etc

Q. How do I prepare for an Upper Procedure (gastroscopy, EGD)?

If you have a Morning Procedure:  Do not drink or eat anything after midnight.
If you have an Afternoon Procedure:  You may have a light breakfast, but do not eat anything 6 hours before your procedure.  It is okay to drink liquids up to 3 hours prior to your procedure.  You may take your regular medications with small sips of water.

You’ll also need someone to drive you home, since you’ll receive a sedative to make the test easy.

Q. How do I prepare for a Colonoscopy ?

There’s more than one way to clean the colon adequately, and different doctors / patients prefer different ways in different situations.
For details, check the "Preparation Instructions" under Patient Forms.

Q. Will I  hurt during an endoscopy or colonoscopy?
 

The doctor gives you pain relievers and a sedative to bring you into a state called "conscious sedation." This is not like general anesthesia, where you’re unconscious, but a pleasant,  relaxed dreamlike state in which you don’t feel a thing.

Q. I got nauseated and/or vomited during the prep. What do I do?


Stop for  an hour, then try to take more of the prep.
If you can’t restart, then we may have to try something else.
 Call your  gastroenterologist with any problems.
 



Q. Why do I have to have a driver to take me home on the day of the test?


You will be given some medication (sedative) to make your test more comfortable
and therefore will not be capable of driving safely
 
 

Q. Do all colon polyps turn to cancer?

No. Certain types never turn to cancer (we call them hyperplastic polyps) and certain types sometimes turn to cancer (called adenomatous polyps).
By looking at a polyp during a colonoscopy we cannot tell if it is the former or the latter.

We remove  all polyps and a pathologist examines them under the microscope.
It takes a few days to get the results.
 
 

Q. What can I expect  after the upper scope?

1. You will feel a little drowsy
2. Minimal sore throat is extremely unusual- a throat lozenge will help
3. You can eat normally once you are fully awake
4. You should definitely not drive, use dangerous equipment,  take any other sedatives, or make important decisions until the following day
5. Almost invariably you can return to work the following day
6. If you have severe chest / neck / abdominal pain or bleeding or fevers call the doctor who performed the test immediately
 

Q. What can I expect  after the lower scope?

1. You will feel a little drowsy. You will pass gas for a few hours after the test
2. You can eat normally once you are fully awake
3. You should definitely not drive, use dangerous equipment,  take any other sedatives, or make important decisions until the following day
4. Almost invariably you can return to work the following day
5. If you have severe abdominal pain or bleeding or fevers call the doctor who performed the test immediately

Q. Are Endoscopic procedures safe?

Yes. Although all medical procedures carry some level of risk of complications, endoscopy has been proven to be very safe, with generally a low level of risk.
What procedure is being performed, your overall health status, and the level of skill and/or training of the doctor doing your test will determine the overall risk .
Before your endoscopy your doctor will review the risks of the procedure with you.