Endoscopy- what to expect?

[leebick 448]

I am 4 years 9 months post-sleeve surgery. It's been a very successful journey for me, for the most part. However, about a year ago I started having some serious GERD and over the past 3-5 months have been having a lot of pain when eating some things, followed by vomiting. Saw my surgeon and had an upper GI on Monday. The doc doing the study was cool, showed me everything and explained what she was seeing. I have a hiatal hernia, and the openings at both the top and bottom of my stomach are narrowed (I swallowed a 12mm barium pill that they should have been able to trace as it went through my system, but it never went any further than the top of my stomach). I have a consult with my surgeon on Friday, but she'd already said that if the results of the GI were anything but normal, the next step would be an endoscopy and colonoscopy. I've already had several colonoscopies so I know what to expect, but I've never had an endoscopy. The whole thought of it makes me want to run away! I can't imagine what it must be like to have someone shoving a camera/tube down your throat (swallow, swallow, keep swallowing)! HOW do you do this without heaving up your toenails? How much does it hurt, swallowing a TUBE? Can someone who's had an endoscopy tell me what to expect, in general?

[james2021 160]

I was under 'twilight' anesthesia for my endoscopy. Not fully put under, but I don't remember a thing. I can't imagine they would give you one without anesthesia. When I woke up, I didn't even have a sore throat or anything.

[StratusPhr 127]

6 minutes ago, leebick said:

I am 4 years 9 months post-sleeve surgery. It's been a very successful journey for me, for the most part. However, about a year ago I started having some serious GERD and over the past 3-5 months have been having a lot of pain when eating some things, followed by vomiting. Saw my surgeon and had an upper GI on Monday. The doc doing the study was cool, showed me everything and explained what she was seeing. I have a hiatal hernia, and the openings at both the top and bottom of my stomach are narrowed (I swallowed a 12mm barium pill that they should have been able to trace as it went through my system, but it never went any further than the top of my stomach). I have a consult with my surgeon on Friday, but she'd already said that if the results of the GI were anything but normal, the next step would be an endoscopy and colonoscopy. I've already had several colonoscopies so I know what to expect, but I've never had an endoscopy. The whole thought of it makes me want to run away! I can't imagine what it must be like to have someone shoving a camera/tube down your throat (swallow, swallow, keep swallowing)! HOW do you do this without heaving up your toenails? How much does it hurt, swallowing a TUBE? Can someone who's had an endoscopy tell me what to expect, in general?

They use the Michael Jackson drug, you won't know a thing. It's not a big deal at all.

[Anj0399 61]

I had it done in January and didn’t feel or remember one thing! They sedate you so don’t “swallow” anything on your own. When you wake up your a bit groggy but within a few hours you feel better. I ate and drank with no issues on my way home from the procedure. You’ll be fine, it’s a pretty simple procedure 😊

[catwoman7 10,855]

I agree - I've had three or four of them (two before I had RNY - one several years before, actually), and they're nothing. They put you under so you don't remember a thing.

[JDLane 139]

I had one done a few weeks ago as part of my pre-op requirements. I was sedated through an IV, the only thing that went into my mouth while I was awake was a plastic bite guard to protect my teeth from the device. Everything else occurred while I was out. I woke up afterwards, slightly groggy but within an hour or 2 I was back to normal. I was given Propofol as the anesthesia.

[Jaelzion 1,123]

Between the Demerol and the Versed, there's nothing to it. You'll be good.

[SunnyinSC 137]

To echo what others have said, they gave me the "Michael Jackson" drug. I don't remember the name, but I do remember them telling me that it was the same one he overdosed on. I don't remember any of the procedure itself. They put a little thing in your mouth that keeps it open for them to slide the tube in. No pain, no sore throat, and getting up from the anesthesia was much easier than surgery to get my gallbladder out in the past (it wore off for me a lot quicker and I wasn't loopy the rest of the day. I did cough up a lot of phlegm/lubricant stuff for the remainder of the day, but that also didn't hurt. Was sort of like the tail end of a cold when you're feeling back to yourself save for a bit of a cough.

[HealthyMe67 16]

I was terrified for my pre-op endoscopy. They use Propofol now. You will be completely asleep. Wont remember anything past them putting the guard in your mouth. No worries!