Endoscopy Procedure Information

Upper GI Endoscopy (OGD) Information Leaflet

Before your procedure

If you take any blood-thinning medication, for example, warfarin, clopidogrel or rivaroxaban, let the Endoscopy department know at least seven days before the procedure.

If you have diabetes, please let the endoscopy team know as soon as possible.

Do not eat anything in the six hours before your appointment, and only drink small sips of water, but stop this two hours before your procedure.

You should expect to be in the department for at least two to three hours.

After your procedure

Following your gastroscopy you are advised not to have anything to eat or drink until your throat spray has worn off.

We recommend that you have a few sips of cold water half an hour after your procedure. If you have no problems swallowing with this then you can proceed to have a warm drink, such as tea or coffee. Your first meal should be light, such as a sandwich.

You may experience some discomfort in your throat or gullet for up to two days, this is quite normal.  If you have anything more than discomfort you will need to inform either the department or your GP.

Colonoscopy Patient Information Leaflet

Before your procedure

If you take iron tablets, stop taking them seven days before the procedure, or as advised by your doctor.  If you are unsure please contact the endoscopy team.

If you take any blood-thinning medication, for example, warfarin, clopidogrel or rivaroxaban, let the Endoscopy Department know at least seven days before the procedure.

If you have diabetes, let the endoscopy team know as soon as possible.

You will need to follow a low residue diet and will be prescribed some laxatives to take in preparation for your procedure. You will need to collect this prescription and information from the endoscopy department, and, collect the medication from the hospital pharmacy.  Follow the instructions carefully. 

You should expect to be in the department for at least three to four hours.

After your procedure

You may begin eating and drinking as normal as soon as you feel you want to, start with a light meal. You experience bloating and pain passing wind will ease this feeling. 

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy information leaflet

Before your procedure

If you take iron tablets, stop taking them seven days before the procedure, or as advised by your doctor.  If you are unsure please contact the endoscopy team.

If you take any blood-thinning medication, for example, warfarin, clopidogrel or rivaroxaban, let the Endoscopy Department know at least seven days before the procedure.

If you have diabetes, let the endoscopy team know as soon as possible.

You will be prescribed laxatives or an enema for this procedure, (the enema can be administered by yourself at home or by a Nurse in the Endoscopy department).

You should expect to be in the department for at least two to three hours.

After your procedure

You may begin eating and drinking as normal as soon as you feel you want to, start with a light meal. You experience bloating and pain passing wind will ease this feeling. 

ERCP Patient information

Before the procedure

You may be asked to take a pregnancy test before the procedure. If you suspect you could be pregnant you should let the Endoscopy team know as soon as possible.

If you take any blood-thinning medication, for example, warfarin, clopidogrel or rivaroxaban, let the Endoscopy department know at least seven days before the procedure.

If you have diabetes, let the Endoscopy team know as soon as possible.

Do not eat anything in the six hours before your appointment, and only drink small sips of water, but stop this two hours before your procedure.

You should expect to be in the department for at least four hours.

After the procedure

You may experience some discomfort following your procedure. This is usually mild and should soon pass. If you experience any severe pain, sickness and high temperature, contact the Endoscopy department for advice or attend your nearest Emergency department.

Advice on resuming your medications and dietary advice will be given to you on discharge from the department.

EUS patient information

Before the procedure

You may be asked to take a pregnancy test before the procedure. If you suspect you could be pregnant you should let the Endoscopy team know as soon as possible.

If you take any blood-thinning medication, for example, warfarin, clopidogrel or rivaroxaban, let the Endoscopy department know at least seven days before the procedure.

If you have diabetes, let the endoscopy team know as soon as possible.

Do not eat anything in the six hours before your appointment, and only drink small sips of water, but stop this two hours before your procedure.

You should expect to be in the department for at least four hours.

After the procedure

You are advised not to have anything to eat or drink until your throat spray has worn off.

You may experience some discomfort in your throat or gullet, which is quite normal and can last up to two days. If you experience any bleeding, severe abdominal pain, raised temperature or feel faint/dizzy or vomit our advice is to attend the Emergency department at the hospital with a copy of the procedure report which you will be given as you are discharged from the department.

Small bowel capsule Patient information leaflet

Before the procedure

You will be fitted with some monitoring equipment which you will need to wear for at least eight hours before returning it to the department.  The equipment will be fitted over your clothing, so please wear something practical and comfortable.

The day before your procedure you can have a normal breakfast, a light lunch before 1pm, then clear fluids only until 10pm. Then nothing to eat or drink until after your procedure.

In addition to the above, if you have diabetes you may take a very light meal at 8pm the day before your procedure.

You should expect to be in the department for at least two hours.

Colon Capsule patient information

Before the procedure

If you take iron tablets, stop taking them seven days before the procedure, or as advised by your doctor.  If you are unsure please contact the endoscopy team.

If you take any blood-thinning medication, for example, warfarin, clopidogrel or rivaroxaban, let the Endoscopy department know at least seven days before the procedure.

If you have diabetes, let the healthcare team know as soon as possible.

You will need a low residue diet for up to five days.

Only drink clear fluids the day before your test, do not eat any food.

You will take laxatives the day before your test.

Only take sips of clear fluid during the two hours before your test.

You will be in the department for around one to two hours.

You will be fitted with monitoring equipment for the day which you will need to return the following day. Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing.

For help with what to expect, watch these Colon Capsule information videos.

Ph And Manometry Patient Information Leaflet

You should stop taking indigestion (antacid) medication for up to two weeks before the test. This includes (but is not limited to):

• omeprazole
• lansoprazole
• rabeprazole
• pantoprazole
• ranitidine. 

If in doubt talk to the Endoscopy department.

If you take any blood-thinning medication, for example, warfarin, clopidogrel or rivaroxaban, let the Endoscopy department know at least seven days before the procedure.

If you have diabetes, let the healthcare team know as soon as possible.

You should not eat or drink anything for six hours before the test.

You will be in the department for around two hours.

You will be told when to return your equipment.

Hydrogen Breath Test Patient Information Leaflet

Inform the Endoscopy team if you think you have an allergy to lactose or lactulose.

If you have diabetes, let the Endoscopy team know as soon as possible.

You should not eat or drink anything for 12 hours before the test. For example, if you test is at 9am you should stop eating and drinking at 9pm the night before.

Read the information leaflet carefully at least four weeks before the test, it contains important information about:

• Food you can eat and drink
• Medication you will need to stop.

You will be in the department for at least four hours.

BRAVO patient information leaflet

If you take any blood-thinning medication, for example, warfarin, clopidogrel or rivaroxaban, let the Endoscopy department know at least seven days before the procedure.

If you have diabetes, let the Endoscopy team know as soon as possible.

You should not have an MRI within 30 days after having the BRAVO procedure.

Read the information leaflet carefully at least four weeks before the test, it contains important information about:

• Medications you should stop taking 14 days before the test see leaflet.
• Medications you should stop taking two days before the test see leaflet.

You will be in the department at least two to three hours.

You will be asked to wear monitoring equipment and will be told when to return the equipment.          

You do not need to return the capsule after you have passed it.

Transnasal Endoscopy patient information leaflet

If you take any blood-thinning medication, for example, warfarin, clopidogrel or rivaroxaban, let the Endoscopy department know at least seven days before the procedure.

If you have diabetes, please let the Endoscopy team know as soon as possible.

Do not eat anything in the six hours before your appointment, and only drink small sips of water, but stop this two hours before your procedure.

You should expect to be in the department for at least two to three hours.

Some patients may experience a small nosebleed.

Please do not eat or drink for three hours before the fibroscan.

Let the healthcare team know if you are or could be pregnant.

You should expect to be in the department for up to an hour and will be discharged home immediately after the test.

What is a fibroscan and why do I need it?

A fibroscan is a type of ultrasound that can measure the degree of inflammation in your liver. It is a simple, painless test that uses high frequency sound waves. It does not have any potential complications or risks and is non-invasive, which means that it does not break the skin or enter your body.

What are the benefits of this scan?

Having a fibroscan will help your doctor to understand how much scarring is in your liver. This will help him/her to plan your treatment. 

Are there any alternatives to a fibroscan?

One option is to have a liver biopsy. This is where a small sample of liver tissue is removed with a needle. A liver biopsy has several disadvantages: for example, you need to stay in hospital for several hours after the procedure. It also carries several risks, such as internal bleeding after the biopsy, pain and infection.

What do I need to do to prepare for the scan?

Please do not eat or drink anything for three hours before your fibroscan. You should continue taking any prescribed medication.

You will not need to remove any clothing for the scan, but we will need to expose the right side of your abdomen (tummy). Therefore, we do not recommend that women wear a dress on the day of their test. You will not need to remove any jewellery near the site of the scan, such as a belly button piercing.

What happens before the fibroscan?

You will need to book in with the receptionist and then take a seat in the waiting area. A nurse will call you into one of the consulting rooms, where you will be able to ask any questions you have about the fibroscan. Once you have discussed the scan, providing you are happy to go ahead, you will have the test.

What happens during the scan?

You will be asked to lie on an examination couch and place your right arm above your head.  The nurse will feel your abdomen to find the right place to perform the scan. He/she will place a probe on your abdomen and trigger the probe to start. The sound waves will be sent out from the probe in pulses. They will pass through your skin to your liver and bounce back. This will feel like a gentle flick against the side of your skin – it should not hurt. 

The scanner measures the time it takes for the sound wave to bounce back. We will repeat this at least 10 times to make sure we get an accurate result. The mean (average) reading is then calculated by the scanner, which will show your doctor your liver stiffness. 

The scan should take between 10 and 20 minutes to perform.

What happens after the scan?

As soon as the fibroscan is finished you will be able to either go home or return to work.

When will I get the result?

The result will be sent to the doctor who referred you for the fibroscan and they will discuss it with you at your next outpatient appointment.