PREPARING FOR YOUR ENDOSCOPY
Patient instructions
• If you are suffering from a gastrointestinal medical condition (related to
your oesophagus, stomach, or colon) that requires diagnosis and or treat
ment, you may be scheduled for an endoscopy.
• Endoscopy can be a nonsurgical or a minimally invasive surgical procedure
that allows the doctor to examine, remove tissues or treat the body areas
using an endoscope.
• The endoscope is a flexible tube with a powerful light and camera attached
to it. The endoscope is inserted into the body through small incisions or
natural body openings and allows your doctor to view pictures of your
digestive tract on a display monitor.
• If you are taking medications, you may be asked to stop these. You will be
asked to stop taking blood-thinning medicines a few days before the
surgery, as these increase the chances of bleeding.
• You should inform your doctor if you have any medication allergies or have
had any adverse reactions to medications.
• You should inform your doctor if you are pregnant or have any other medi
cal condition so that special precautions can be taken.
• You may need to fast after midnight before the procedure to ensure your
stomach is empty, if you are having an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
• For a colonoscopy:
• You will be asked to change your diet a few days before the procedure. Changes will include elimination of fibre
and foods with small seeds.
• You may be given a laxative to take the night before coming in for the procedure. You may also be asked to drink a
cleansing solution to clean out your bowel.
• You may be given an enema 2 to 3 hours before the procedure.
• You may undergo a rectal examination to help the doctor look for any bleeding or abnormal growths.
What you can expect during the endoscopy
• You may receive anaesthesia and/ or a sedative depending on the type of endoscopy. Anaesthesia blocks the
awareness of pain. A sedative relaxes you. The sedative may make you feel lethargic and slow after the procedure
and usually takes 24 hours to wear off.
• The effects of sedatives may be manipulated by other medications. To avoid such issues, please inform your doctor a
bout any other medications you are taking.
• Throughout the procedure, our health care team will monitor your temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate.
• Your doctor will review and, in some cases, record the images from the endoscope. He or she will also perform any
procedures, such as collecting tissue for testing.
What you can expect after the endoscopy
• After the endoscopy, you will be taken to rest in a recovery area.
• You may experience some mild side effects depending on the type of endosco-
py. These can include but are not limited to, a sore, dry throat or bloating and gas.
• Complications from an endoscopy are uncommon, but they can happen. They
can include a hole or tear in the area being examined, bleeding, and infection.
• If you have any of the following symptoms you need to report to the acute
medical unit at our hospital or any nearby health facility right away. You may also
reach out to the help line below. Symptoms include
• Fever
• Persistent Vomiting
• Chest pain
• Abnormal stool
• Shortness of breath
• Severe abdominal pain, bleeding or other unusual symptoms
For more information: Call +92 042- 111-11-7554 Ext. 3391
One PKLI Avenue, Opposite DHA Phase 6, Lahore, Pakistan.
+92 42 111 11 7554 pklinrc @pklinrc www.pkli.org.pk
