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EGD | PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS

 

How do I prepare for my EGD?

 

PROCEDURE PREPARATATION | One Week Prior to your EGD

An EGD is an examination of the inside of your esophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine. This will be done with a fiberoptic endoscope, which is a flexible lighted tube that directly visualizes the inside of your gastrointestinal tract.

Read these instructions carefully at least one week prior to your exam. For more information about the benefits and risks of EGD, please refer to the information pamphlet given to you, or call our office for additional information.

 

 

 Please Contact your PCP/Cardiologist for cardiac clearance if any of
the following relate to your current health:

  • You are currently being treated for a cardiac condition.

  • You have a cardiac stent and are taking a prescription medication. 

  • If you are currently taking any “blood thinners”; such as ASA, Plavix, Coumadin or Lovenox to receive medication.

  • You have a pacemaker or defibulator please let our office know immediately.

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MEDICATION INSTRUCTIONS | 5 Days Before Procedure

You will need to discontinue the medication listed below:

    • Aspirin  (Bayer, Ecotrin, Excedrin)
    • Coumadin (Warfarin)
    • Ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, Motrin)
    • Ketoprofen (Orudis)
    • Naproxen (Aleve)
    • Salicylate Products/Pain/Arthritis Medication
    • Valdecoxib (Bextra)
    • Other Non-Steroidal (NSAID) medications
    • Plavix (clopidogrel)

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be continued or substituted as a pain-reliever for aspirin. If you have an artificial heart valve, you need to talk to your primary care physician or cardiologist about using an alternative anticoagulant. Make sure the doctor doing your colonoscopy knows that you have a prosthetic valve.

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DIET INSTRUCTIONS | 1 Day Before and Day of Procedure

  • One Day before the procedure - Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the day prior to your procedure.

  • Day of the procedure - Do not eat or drink anything the day of the procedures. Your procedure will be cancelled if you eat or drink on this day.

 

 

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HIGH RISKS PATIENTS | Cardiac and Diabetic Patients

  • Cardiac Patient - If you are being treated for hypertension/high blood pressure, continue to take your medication as directed.  On the day of the procedure take the medication with ONLY a sip of water. 

  • Diabetic Patients - If you are taking an oral hypoglycemic (“sugar pill”), do not take it the day of your procedure.  If you are taking insulin, please take 1/2 of your prescribed a.m. insulin dose, the day of your procedure.  Call your PCP if you have any questions about your medicine during your preparation period.

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GENERAL INFORMATION | Day of Surgical Procedure

  • You must arrive within ½ hour to one hour before the scheduled appointment according to the guidelines of the procedure location. Your entire stay for the procedure will be about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

  • You are not allowed to take a taxi or public transportation home after the procedure. A friend or relative will need to drive you home, and someone will need to be with you for at least two hours to make sure there are no problems from the sedation or the procedure.

  • After the procedure, do not drive a car for the remainder of the day and do not make any important decisions until the following day.

  • Biopsy results are usually available within seven business days.

  • Patients with pacemakers need to inform our office when booking this appointment.

  • Patients with internal defibrillators must have the procedure at Condell Medical Center.

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