Question:
Has anyone had the upper endoscopy? Does it hurt?

Hi everyone! Just a worry on my part.....has anyone had the upper endoscopy? Does it hurt? I guess that is the least of my worries if I am planning on having surgery, huh?    — Kelly X. (posted on June 4, 2002)


June 4, 2002
I had an endoscopy last month and it went much better than I thought that it would. They didn't want me to have anything to eat or drink 5 hours before the test. They put in a IV and then I was taken to the test room. I lay on the bed on my left side and they attatched a blood pressure cuff and an oxygen monitor. The Doc came in and administered the meds through my IV. I remember bits and pieces of the procedure. I did feel a bit gaggy right at first, and I felt pressure on my mouth as he was moving the tube around. But, it honestly didn't hurt a bit! I don't even remember him taking it out. The next thing I knew I was in recovery. I slept another 30 minutes there and then was able to leave. I felt sleepy and just a little "off" and had a slightly sore throat the rest of the day. But, that was it-nothing horrible about it-best of luck with your procedure and the rest of your process!
   — Heather N.

June 4, 2002
I have had several, starting long before surgery (my tummy never was a happy place). It is inconvenient and that's about it. Kinda nice little nap there for awhile.
   — vitalady

June 4, 2002
Actually you will never even know it took place. You will be put under right before it happens and brought back to right after it's over. Don't even think about it. But I was just like you, a little aprehensive. Best wishes on your journey.
   — Annie H.

June 4, 2002
I had it done about a month ago. They will give you an IV sedative that will knock you out. all I remember is coughing once.
   — Linda A.

June 4, 2002
i recently had an upper endoscopy, and i just have one word of advice for anyone having this procedure - get knocked out!!!!!! i was not sedated, and it was the worst medical procedure i've ever been through. i felt everything, was gagging and choking - and it was very unpleasant
   — ann6088

June 5, 2002
PLEASE TRY AND RELAX, THATS MY ADVICE, I TOO WORRIED ALOT! I DIDNT SLEEP AT ALL THE NIGHT PRIOR TO THE PROCEDURE, BUT IN ALL HONESTY, IT ISNT BAD AT ALL, YOU WILL BE SEDATED, GOOD LUCK TO YOU! BECKY
   — rebecca N.

June 5, 2002
I worked as a nurse directly doing upper endoscopies with the doctors. They use a "conscious sedation medication" people THINK they are totally out, but they are not, as they need to cooperate with opening their mouth and swollowing when instucted. It has an amnesia effect and you won't be able to remember most of the procedure. This procedure is a SKILL, not all doctors are good at it. I personally would get word of mouth info on the doctor doing it. If a person had a bad expirence with this procedure the doctor didn't increase the medication as needed during the procedure properly or they don't have the SKILL. It should be an uneventful procedure. They start with an average dose and increase as the patient reacts or tolerates the procedure. I also would question the doctor as to how many gastric bypass patients he has done. You don't want a doctor messing around with your pouch if he's not familiar with wls anatomy.(and believe me it happens)
   — ZZ S.

June 5, 2002
I had an endoscope done 3 weeks ago. I to was scared of the unknown......but I can tell you. I went home and ate lunch! Had NO pain, not even a rememberance of it! The worst thing that happened is having trouble getting the IV in my hand! I didn't even have a sore throat. I felt a little "druck" the next day actually, like a hang over. But it wasn't a bad experience at all. Good thing because the news wasnt good......hiatal hernia and gallstones.....but good in the sense of it being comorbids....just more information for my insurance company! Good Luck!
   — lesleeloo

June 5, 2002
I have had 3 of them in the past several weeks because my stoma keeps healing closed. As a matter of fact, I have another one already scheduled for next week so they check everything. The worse part is the IV, then they give you sleepy juice and its a piece of cake from there. Good luck!
   — pam29922

April 30, 2003
Just make sure they give you enough sedation drugs. They hardly gave me any I couldn't breath and I was choking and gagging the whole time. Not to scare you but just tell them to give you enough.
   — Heidi S.




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