Gastroscopy

Before your gastroscopy, you’ll need to empty your stomach. This is to reduce the chances of you vomiting and to make sure your endoscopist has clear views of your stomach.

This means you should not eat for four to six hours before your procedure, so you won’t need to take any medication, such as a laxative, to empty your bowels.

If you normally take medication or supplements, your care team will also discuss with you if you need to stop taking these and the best times to do so.

Your consultant will perform your gastroscopy as an outpatient procedure. This usually means you won’t need any medication to make you feel calmer or reduce discomfort. 

However, if you are worried about the procedure, we’ll offer you medication, such as a sedative, to help you feel more relaxed.

Your consultant may also spray local anaesthetic in the back of your mouth to numb your throat. 

They’ll then insert a long, thin, flexible tube (endoscope) into your mouth. They may ask you to swallow to help the endoscope pass down your throat. You shouldn’t feel any pain at this point.

The tube is passed down your oesophagus (food pipe), into your stomach and through to the duodenum, which is the upper part of your small intestine. 

There is a small camera on the end of the endoscope that sends high-quality images to a computer screen. 

The London Clinic’s experienced endoscopists can use these images to inspect the whole of the upper part of the digestive system for ulcers, bleeding, growths and inflammation. 

During the gastroscopy, your consultant may use a range of surgical instruments to:

• Take a sample of body tissue (biopsy) 
• Remove polyps (small clump of cells)
• Stop bleeding by cauterising (burning) tissue
• Open up the oesophagus if it’s become narrow
• Treat certain upper gastrointestinal conditions

A gastroscopy usually lasts less than 30 minutes, but this will depend on the amount of treatment you require.

Your consultant will be able to discuss what they have seen during your gastroscopy as soon as you feel able to chat. 

They may also arrange an appointment to discuss the results of tests carried out on any body tissue removed during your procedure. 

These results are usually available in three to four working days. 

At this appointment, your consultant will also explain your diagnosis, discuss your treatment options and chat through any worries you may have.

If you haven’t had a sedative, you should feel fine after your gastroscopy and return to your normal activities after you leave The London Clinic.

However, if you have had a sedative, you’ll recover in our calming and comfortable Endoscopy Unit until you no longer feel sleepy or drowsy.

You’ll also need someone to travel home with you, and we recommend someone stays overnight with you as well. 

We also advise that you don’t drink alcohol, drive, work or operate machinery for 24 hours, as you won’t be as mentally alert as usual.

Our world-leading gastroenterologists and endoscopists will work closely together to reduce any risk during a gastroscopy and support your safe recovery. 

Rarely, problems caused by a gastroscopy include: 

Bleeding 

This is more likely to happen if body tissue or a polyp is removed during the procedure. The bleeding usually stops naturally, but on rare occasions you may need an operation to stop the bleeding.

Damage or tears to your throat, oesophagus, stomach or duodenum 

If this happens, you may need an operation to repair the damage.

Your consultant may recommend a gastroscopy to you if you’re experiencing symptoms including: 

• Indigestion and heartburn
• Acid reflux
• Persistent sore throat
• Chronic cough, especially at night
• Chest pain which is unrelated to heart problems
• Vomiting, especially if there is blood
• Swallowing difficulties
• Bleeding, in particular black or tarry blood in your poo