Gastroscopy (upper GI endoscopy) is a common outpatient procedure to examine the stomach and upper digestive tract. It uses a flexible endoscope – a slender tube with a camera – that is gently passed down the throat. The Mayo Clinic describes the procedure as “inserting a long, flexible tube with a tiny camera” down the esophagus to view the stomach and duodenum. This lets doctors diagnose conditions like gastritis or stomach ulcers by seeing inside the stomach lining. For patients in Lahore and beyond, top gastroenterology centers, such as Dr. Fahd Aziz Rana’s clinic, use high-definition scopes to perform a precise gastroscopy procedure safely and efficiently.
Preparation is key. You will plan to fast for at least six to eight hours before the test, so the stomach is empty. You may have clear liquids until a few hours before the test. Your doctor will review your medications and explain sedation options. Some medicines, such as blood thinners, you may need to hold. If IV sedation is planned to relax you during the exam, you must arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home afterward and stay with you. Sedatives can impair alertness for twelve to twenty-four hours.
In summary:
- Fasting: Stop solid food about six to eight hours before the appointment. You may have clear liquids until a few hours before the test.
- Medication: Talk about all current medicines with your doctor and follow instructions. For example, stop aspirin or iron supplements if advised.
- Plan for Sedation: If you will be sedated, do not drive for the rest of the day, and arrange transportation home. Sedation means you cannot drive or work for twelve to twenty-four hours. A companion should be on hand.
Gastroscopy Procedure: What Happens During the Test?
On the day of the exam, you check in, change into a gown, and meet the nurse. You may get a throat-numbing spray and/or an IV sedative. In many clinics, sedatives like midazolam or propofol are given to relax you or make you lightly asleep. At that point, monitors attach to check blood pressure and heart rate. In some centers, a plastic mouthpiece, called a bite block, is placed between your teeth to protect the endoscope and keep the mouth open.
The procedure itself is quick and smooth. You lie on your left side on the exam table, and the doctor asks you to swallow once. Then the gastroscope advances gently down your throat into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. A nurse or doctor watches the video monitor in real-time. Air is often pumped into the stomach for better viewing. You may feel mild bloating or belching, but it passes fast. The doctor examines the lining carefully and may take small biopsies through the scope. This causes no added pain.
Gastroscopy equipment, such as a modern Olympus video gastroscope, inspects the stomach. The camera on the scope sends live images of the upper GI tract.
Key steps during the exam include:
- Patient position: You lie on your left side with monitors attached.
- Scope insertion: A bite block, or mouth guard, stays between your teeth so you cannot bite the scope, and the endoscope remains safe. You swallow once, and the doctor passes the scope to the stomach.
- Inspection and sampling: The doctor examines the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. You see redness, ulcers, or other issues on the screen. If needed, the doctor takes tiny forceps samples for lab testing through the scope. You feel no pain.
How Long Does the Gastroscopy Itself Take?
The actual endoscopic exam is very short. According to gastroenterology sources, gastroscopy generally lasts about five to fifteen minutes. For example, a UK hospital notes, “the procedure generally takes five to ten minutes.” A digestive health clinic reports about seven to ten minutes for the camera inspection. In other words, once the scope is in place, the doctor can see the entire upper GI tract in under a quarter of an hour. Even if biopsies are taken, they add only a minute or two, and you feel no pain.
However, the total visit time is longer. You should plan to spend several hours at the hospital or clinic on the day of the test. Typical steps and timing are:
- Pre-exam preparation (30 to 60 minutes): Registration, paperwork, IV insertion, and sedative administration.
- Gastroscopy exam (5 to 15 minutes): The scope passes, and the doctor inspects the stomach.
- Post-exam recovery (30 to 60 minutes): You rest until sedation wears off, and nursing staff watch you. If you had throat spray only, your recovery is faster.
Total visit: Expect to spend two to four hours from check-in to discharge. You wait for prep and rest afterward, so you use a few hours in total.
This timeline means that, although the exam is fast, you should plan to block out a half-day. Arrange to take the day off or work only in the morning, and have someone accompany you so they can drive you home and help you if you feel lightheaded.
After the Gastroscopy
After the scope is removed, you go to a recovery area. If you had sedation, you may feel drowsy or groggy. That feeling is normal. Doctors keep you there until you are alert, and that often takes thirty to sixty minutes. NHS guidance says most people go home as soon as they feel well enough, which is within a few hours of the procedure. You may notice a slight sore throat or a feeling of fullness from the air pumped in. Both go away quickly.
Important: If you had sedation, do not drive or run machinery for at least twelve to twenty-four hours. You should rest for the rest of the day, and someone should stay with you. You can eat and drink once the numbness from the throat spray fades. That may mean a light snack after a few hours.
Your doctor will talk about any findings right away and let you know if you will get biopsy results. If samples were taken, it may take a few days to get lab results. Otherwise, most patients learn the outcome before they leave.
Summary: Fast, Safe, and Informative
In summary, a diagnostic gastroscopy is a short procedure. The actual camera exam takes only about five to fifteen minutes. Most of the time on your appointment is for preparation and recovery. Including check-in, sedation, and resting afterward, you should expect to be at the clinic for a few hours in total. This is an outpatient test, so you return home the same day.
Gastroscopy is very safe and is not usually painful. Modern endoscopy centers in Lahore and worldwide focus on patient comfort by using sedation or local anesthesia and by providing a bite block for safety. The test gives clear, high-quality images of the upper digestive tract, so experienced gastroenterologists can diagnose issues accurately.
For anyone seeking the best gastroscopy test in Lahore, Dr. Rana’s clinic offers a patient-friendly gastroscopy service. By following pre-test instructions and planning your schedule, you make sure the procedure goes smoothly. Overall, remember the exam itself is quick, but plan for an easy two to four hours at the clinic to cover everything from prep to recovery.
