How long does endoscopy procedure take

The procedure does not require an overnight stay in the hospital and usually only takes around 1 hour to complete. The doctor will provide instructions about the preparation for the procedure.

For many types of endoscopy, the individual needs to fast for around 12 hours, though this varies based on the type. Recovery will depend on the type of procedure. For an upper endoscopy, which is used to enable a doctor to examine the upper gastrointestinal tract, the patient will be observed for some time after the procedure, usually around one hour, while any sedative medication wears off.

An upper endoscopy requires that you have an empty stomach before the procedure. Wear loose comfortable clothing. You may keep short sleeve clothing on during the procedure under the gown we provide. The procedure room can be cold, so you may wish to bring socks too. Share on Facebook. Notice: Users may be experiencing issues with displaying some pages on stanfordhealthcare. We are working closely with our technical teams to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your patience. View the changes to our visitor policy » View information for Guest Services ». New to MyHealth? Manage Your Care From Anywhere. Activate Account. Create a New Account. Forgot Username or Password? Most procedures are done with conscious sedation through an IV. You will have oxygen on your nose or mouth, but be breathing on your own and mostly asleep. If you have a general anesthetic, you will be completely asleep during the whole procedure and wake up once it is finished.

An anesthesiologist will assist in your breathing. After the endoscopy, we will take you to the recovery room where we will observe you as you come out of sedation. This will usually be about minutes while the sedation wears off.

After the endoscopy, the physician will review your results. They will speak to you about these results in the recovery room. If we have taken a biopsy, we will contact you with those results within seven to ten business days. An endoscopy is a nonsurgical procedure to examine the digestive tract.

A colonoscopy is also a type of endoscopy. It examines the lower part of your digestive tract. This includes your rectum and large intestine colon. Endoscopies can examine multiple areas of the body, depending on what your doctor needs to examine.

A colonoscopy, however, is specifically to check the health of your large intestine and rectum. It is also an exam to detect and prevent cancer. To get an endoscopy at one of our clinics, you will need a referral. More than likely your physician or specialist will refer you if you need an endoscopy. If you are getting a colonoscopy for colon cancer screening , you can schedule an appointment with us by calling The endoscopy cost is usually covered by your insurance.

We have an authorization team that works with your insurance prior to your endoscopy as well. If you do not have insurance, view some of our resources. Call or Request an Appointment Refer a Patient. What Does an Endoscopy Show? Colonoscopy Scheduling Your Endoscopy.