Women and Men from Vancouver and all across B.C. choose False Healthcare Centre because of board-certified surgeons Dr. Charles Scudamore, Dr. Gregory Polyakov 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
7 Comments
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!
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