Gastroscopy

A gastroscopy (or endoscopy) can tell your doctor a lot about the possible causes of any problems you have in the gullet stomach or small intestine. It examines the gullet stomach and duodenum with a thin telescope.

A gastroscopy is a useful and painless way for doctors to check how diagnosed gastrointestinal conditions are progressing.

It can be used to treat conditions such as enlarged veins or bleeding ulcers.

Why us

  • Fast access to treatment when you need it
  • Internationally and nationally renowned consultants
  • Clear, inclusive pricing
Typical Hospital Stay

Day case

Type of anaesthetic

Sedation

Covered by health insurance?

Yes

Procedure duration

10 to 30 minutes

Available to self-pay?

Yes

What is Gastroscopy

You might be referred for a gastroscopy if you have any of a range of symptoms many of which will be uncomfortable and affect your enjoyment of life.

Symptoms can include:

  • heartburn
  • indigestion
  • long-term stomach pain
  • difficulty swallowing
  • repeated vomiting of blood.

Some of these can indicate conditions such as stomach ulcers hiatus hernia coeliac disease or in some cases cancer of the stomach or oesophagus.

Find a consultant at Sussex Premier Health

Dr Phillip Mayhead

Consultant Gastroenterologist

Dr David Neal

Consultant Gastroenterologist

Mr Raj Harshen

Consultant Laparoscopic, Colorectal and General Surgeon

Mr Shameen Jaunoo

Consultant General, Upper GI & Laparoscopic Surgeon

Your initial consultation

At Sussex Premier Health, you will have a formal consultation with a consultant who specialises in this area. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.

Your consultant may examine your abdomen and back passage. You will be offered a Chaperone at at this time.

We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.

Your initial consultation at Sussex Premier Health will be with one of our expert Cosmetic Surgeons.

The procedure

It’s likely that both a doctor and nurse will be involved in the procedure. They understand that people can get anxious as it approaches. They’ll answer any questions you have and be there for you to provide reassurance.

You’ll remain conscious during the 10 to 30 minute procedure although you’ll probably have had a mild sedative so you may feel very relaxed. Your clinician might also use a spray to numb your throat.

You’ll be able to breathe comfortably as the tube will not be fed through your windpipe.

The doctor will then thread the tube (or endoscope) with a tiny camera on the end into your gullet and stomach. This will allow them to see pictures of what is happening in those areas.

You might feel a bit bloated at times as the clinician will pump gas into your stomach. The tube might also take a tissue sample (a biopsy) for study in one of our labs. The clinician will then withdraw the endoscope.

Aftercare

After this you will be taken to your private room with en-suite where you can rest and recuperate until we feel you’re ready to go home.

If you’ve had a sedative you’ll need a friend or relative to take you home.

You’ll feel drowsy for a few hours and possibly into the next day. You might have sore throat or feel bloated around the stomach.

You might not be able to eat your normal diet for a few days depending on the type of gastroscopy you’ve had – our nursing team will advise you before you leave.

Your consultant may be able to provide some results for you on the day.

We may need to make a follow-up appointment with you to discuss the results, if so, we will arrange this for you.

We take an integrated approach so we can organise any other care that you may need should your test results show something abnormal.

Your consultant who you saw at your initial consultation.

Our consultants have high standards to meet often holding specialist NHS posts and delivering expertise in complex sub-specialty surgeries.

Many of our consultants have international reputations for their research in their specialised field.

Your consultant will explain the preparation at your consultation.

You will have a pre-assessment with our dedicated gastroenterology nurse, who will discuss any medications you are taking and also discuss starving instructions and bowel prep.

On rare occasions complications following treatment can occur.

Please contact us straightaway if you experience any of these symptoms:

  • vomiting blood
  • breathing difficulties
  • acute pain in the neck chest or stomach

Your consultant will talk to you about the possible risks and complications of having this procedure and how they apply to you.

If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to us, we’re here to help.

Interested in finding out more?

Speak to a member of our team

Phone01424 757400

Enquiry form

DD slash MM slash YYYY

Marketing Information
Sussex Premier Health would like to provide you with marketing information about products and services offered by Sussex Premier Health and by selected third-party partners. If you do not consent for us to process your personal data for marketing activities, we will still be able to contact you about your enquiry.
Please tick the box(es) to confirm your consent to receive marketing information from Sussex Premier Health:

Section Break

Marketing

We may contact you by email, SMS or phone about your enquiry. If we try to contact you by phone (mobile and/or landline) and you are not available, we may leave you a voicemail message. We may also use your details to contact you about patient surveys we use for improving our service or monitoring outcomes, which are not a form of marketing.

Section Break