Women and Men from Vancouver and all across B.C. choose False Healthcare Centre because of board-certified surgeons Dr. Charles Scudamore and Dr. Donald Cooke. Our team of General surgeons has years of experience and excellence in performing gastroscopy procedures.
Gastroscopy, also called upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, is a surgical diagnostic procedure where a doctor examines the upper part of your gastrointestinal tract: the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. The procedure is designed to diagnose the cause of recurring indigestion, recurring heartburn, pains in the upper abdomen, unexplained weight loss, or other symptoms originating in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Reasons for a Gastroscopy
Conditions that can be diagnosed include:
- Oesophagitis: inflammation of the oesophagus
- Duodenal or stomach ulcer
- Duodenitis: inflammation of the duodenum
- Gastritis: inflammation of the stomach
- Cancer of the stomach or oesophagus
What to Expect
The total procedure, including preparation time, normally takes about half an hour under light sedation and a local anaesthetic. Your surgeon will place a plastic mouth guard between your teeth to protect them and prevent you from biting down on the endoscope. During the procedure, you will be asked to lie on your back or side while your doctor carefully feeds the endoscope down the oesophagus and into the stomach and duodenum.
A tiny video camera mounted on the endoscope transmits images to a monitor, allowing your surgeon to closely examine the intestinal lining. Air is pumped into the stomach and duodenum through the endoscope in order to inflate them to produce a clearer image.
Your surgeon may perform biopsies, stop bleeding, and remove abnormal growths, depending on what they see and the reasons for the endoscopy, by using special tools that slide through the endoscope. Once the procedure is finished your surgeon will gently remove the endoscope.
How to Prepare
You will be required to not eat or drink anything at least 6 hours before the surgery. This ensures that your upper gastrointestinal tract is clear. Before the appointment, patients should make plans for a ride home, as driving is not permitted for 24 hours after surgery because of the sedative used in the procedure.
Next Steps
If you are ready to discuss your surgery needs with our board certified surgeons, request a consultation today. During your consultation your patient care coordinator will discuss:
- Your medical history
- Pre and post-operative care
- Potential risks and complications
27 Comments
Hi I am looking at the cost and time to have an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy done.
What is the typical wait-time for a gastroscopy? And how much will the cost be?
Could you please let me know the cost and waiting time to be able to get a GI scope done? I am in Calgary and the wait times are very long. I am in pain everyday for the last 3 weeks that stretches from front across the back and getting worse everyday. Recently went ER couple of times with chest pain that radiated across the chest and back. I have done heart stress test, x-ray, barium test, blood and stool test everything fine. All the doctors say that I have GERD and needs endoscopy to confirm it.
Hi, I’m 25 years old with recent stomach and digestive track problems. My GP referred me, but it’ll likely take 6 months for a gastroscopy, so I would like to know how much it would cost to do it privately.
Please let me know through e-mail. I’ll likely book it soon for early-mid April.
Thanks
What is the typical wait-time for a gastroscopy? And how much will the cost be?
I am waiting for endoscope for unknown pain. I would appeciate if you could provide me with cost info and wait time. Thank you.
Hi, I was wondering for the gastroscopy if there was a BMI requirement (like not over bmi of 35) I have an appointment coming up and heard this. Thanks
Can you please tell me the cost and time to be able to get a GI scope done? I am in Calgary and the wait times horrendous. I am in pain everyday that stretches from front across the back, have expereinced hair loss recently, coughing and choking. Recently went ER with chest pain that radiated across chest annd back..
Hi,
I would like some information regarding the cost and wait time for an upper gi endoscopy, thanks.
Jane
I just had a gastroscopy at Peace Arch hospital 2 days ago, abd yesterdat started having pains in my left side. Should I be concerned about this. Is it related to the procedure
My family lives in Calgary and have Alberta Health Care.
Can my wife and I have the exam of gastroscopy privatley?
If possible, please let me know the procedure and fee.
I need a Gastroscopy,and have been waiting for a bit.I would like to know some costs ,and possible time that this can be done.I live in central BC and can come down anytime.Thank-you in advance,Kathy
I too have acid reflux, at least that is what my ENT has told me. He put me on Tecta 40mg for 3 months, but it doesn’t seem to be working. I have trouble (tight) swallowing, sore throat, ache across my top middle back and the lump in my throat. He did look down my nose and into my throat and it was red and inflammed. I went back 3 months later and he said it looked OK, but I am still having symptoms. I was wondering if I may have a hiatus hernia, as sometimes I feel a pressure under my breast bone to the left side. I was kinda watching my diet, but have now really began watching what I eat. I am currently on a waiting list for an gastroscopy, but we put in my request in Sept and I haven’t even heard back as for an appointment time. Some people say it could take up to 2 years!
Could you please tell me what the cost would be to having it done privately and how long is the wait?
Thank-you,
I received a price for this procedure. I’ve had a gastroscopy done about 10 years ago. I did not want the sedation. My throat was sprayed with something to numb it and I had no trouble with the procedure. Would you be willing to do this procedure without the sedation; only the numbing to my throat?
I am in need of an gastroscope and/or an endscope. I live in Victoria and am not aware of a private clinic here that can do this for me. Could you please quote me prices and a time wait.
Thank you
Hello,
I am currently waiting for an appointment with a GI specialist here at home which I have already been waiting for over 3 months. I am having severe pain in my upper abdomen that so far happens at night and sporadically. It lasts anywhere from 1-3 hours and comes in waves. It makes me nauseous, vomit and I am unable to stay in one place during these episodes. This has been happening for over a year and my family doctor has done many tests but has not given me a diagnoses yet. I take buscopan for the pain but after an episode i do not feel well for about a week. I am desperately searching for an answer. I recently went to the hospital during an episode but was sent home with no tests and a handfull of pain killers if it where to happen again (not what I wanted…i was hoping for some help). I am not sure where to start but I was recommended to look into your clinic. thank you, Erin
I have severe GERD (16 years) and have been waiting to get an appointment with a GI specialist in Calgary for 18 months. Wondering on what service you can provide as well as the cost. – Thanks
I am in need of a gastroscope and or endoscope. I am living in Victoria and I am not aware that I can get this done as a private patient. Please let me know what the waiting time would be for these procedures and what costs would be incurred.
I wanted to get an estimate of the costs associated with gastroscopy.
What is the cost and wait time for Gastroscopy. Please reply to me asap. THanks
I got stomach pain on and off and I want to do a gastroscopy asap and I want to know your cost and wait time. please reply as soon as possible.
To the above questions. The gastroscopies are performed every Tuesday or every 2nd Tuesday. I am about to have the gastroscopy done and am flying in from Edmonton. In my case the availability was 3 weeks. Hope that helps some.
Hi Agioblue
Thanks for the response! We actually pass all price and procedure inquiries to our patient advisors who then contact the commenter directly, as things like price can vary with the complexity of the procedure and the needs of the patient. Best wishes with your gastroscopy!
Please tell me the cost of a gastroscopy and how long the waiting list is. Thank you.
What is the typical wait-time for a gastroscopy? And how much will the cost be?
Thanks.
I require an endoscopy what days can this be arranged as I will be coming in from Winnipeg. How often are scheduled appointments canceled if I show up and the DR. can`t see me that day. How soon will I get the results, can I fly back to Manitoba with them the next day?
Hi there,
I am currently waiting for a Gastroscopy as I have reflux a hiatus hernia and a duodenum ulcer that was diagnosed using this procedure several years ago. The reason for me having another on is that I have burning in my stomach that is not going away despite doubling my Losec.
Can you please tell me the cost associated with this procedure and what the timeframe would be to get this procedure done.
Thank you
Kara-Lynn Bragg