AMC-- Endoscopy

Ok next Tuesday I have my endoscopy. As with everyone else not that thrilled with the idea. I was wondering how long the procedure took and how long you have to stay afterwards. My dad is going to bring me and I need to know if he will make an appt that he has late morning. Also please let me know how bad this procedure is... the truth please. thanks

Easy, easy. They put you into a twilight sleep put in the tube (much smaller and more comfortable than it used to be) into your stomach. They look, take picture and do any biopsy's they need to do, all with the same instrument. When you wake up, you will never know anything happened. It is really a "nothing" experience.
I will also say that every test you take in prep. for WLS has the potential to save your life. If it wasn't for the Endoscope for my WLS, they would have never found the Tumor in my stomach at such an early stage. Of course, it was a big bump in the road, but it saved my life. Every test has the potential for a little concern and discomfort, but also has the potential for good thing, like being able to have the surgery you want.

Lou

Ok so how are you sedated... is it an IV or gas?

If I remember correctly, 2 shots IV- Valium and something else and was out for the count. Got up in recovery and went to work.

HEY I WAS SCARED ABOUT IT TOO .. BUT ITS NO BIG DEAL AT ALL..... YOU GO IN ... THEY PUT AN IV IN U .. AND THEN U WAIT.. U GET ROLLED IN AND THE DOC IS IN THERE WAITING... AND HE GIVES U SOME MEDS IN AN IV.. TO SEDATE YOU ..AND THEN YOU HAVE TO HOLD THIS THING IN UR MOUTH..AND HE TELLS YOU AS UR DOOZIN OFF.. TO SWALLOW..... AND WHEN U DO HE PUTS THE TUBE IN UR THROAT.. AND NEXT THING U KNOW U WAKE UP IN RECOVORY LIKE 5MIN AFTER. ITS NOTHIN AT ALL.. UR THROAT MAY BE SORE BUT THAT IS ABOUT IT... AND ABOUT AN HOUR AND U LEAVE... AFTER THEY GO THRU RESULTS.. GOOD LUCK.. DONT BE SCARED

I would say from start to finish....the whole thing is 20 minutes. You might gag for a bit...but it is ok.

You are in conscious sedation...meaning you may be a little awake, but will not remember it at all.  They give you Valium according to your weight, and a drug called Versed, which is the forgetful drug.  It takes about 1/2 hour...I didnt even have a soar throat afterwords.  Good luck!!!

Everyone may have a slightly different experience. In the scheme of things it is a small but important bump to ride over. Personally this was not pleasant, they use conscious sedation (typically IV Versed) which is a sedative and many have no recall of the time after taking it until you come to, the procedure typically takes 5 min down and up, the preop and postop is total an hr I'd speculate. Needing to have a driver and someoen with you for 24 hrs is typical requirement. I gaged and remembered the whole thing, not fun and had a sore throat, the sedation didnt hit me or work well (or not enough) but was well worth it I can say! The ruling out of issues is far more important than a little gag or pain! IMHO! I didn't enjoy it, my experience was NOT typical though... This is one of those times I'd recommend just letting go of and go with the flow, it will be a distant memory soon enough!Cal the endoscopy center to see what typcial length is, sometimes unexpected complications (yours or others) can delay your procedure or time to leave ...best to ask them what typical is but also have understanding should anything delay father migth not get to his apt! Jamie