Dr Walker offers a wide variety of comprehensive gastroenterological services. Outpatient consulting is available in our private rooms at the Gold Coast Private Hospital. He conducts consultations from Suite 8, Gold Coast Private. Inpatient consultation is offered at the Gold Coast Private and Pindara Private Hospitals.
Please follow the links on the patient information page to discover more about the services offered.
GASTROSCOPY
What is a gastroscopy?
Why have a gastroscopy?
This is done to look at reasons as to why you may have swallowing problems, nausea, vomiting, reflux, bleeding, indigestion, anaemia, diarrhea, abdominal pain or chest pain. Additionally, biopsies can be taken during the procedure and sent for further testing.
What are the risks?
Complications are very rare!
Occasionally you may have some abdominal discomfort from air trapping which normally passes quite quickly. Less than 1 in 10000 people will accidentally get a hole (perforation) to the bowel. If this was to occur, this may be repaired with small clips during the procedure or may require an operation to repair the hole. Less than 1 in 1000 people will have significant bleeding following a biopsy and less than 1 in 100 following removal of a polyp, which can usually be stopped at the time of the procedure. Occasionally this may require repeat gastroscopy to treat the bleed, a blood transfusion, and/or rarely, a special x-ray procedure or an operation.
Uncommonly, a small polyp or cancer may be missed.
Other rare complications include reactions to the anaesthetic/sedation (the Anaesthetist will discuss this further with you on the day of the procedure), or damage to your teeth or jaw due to the presence of instruments in your mouth (a mouth guard is inserted to protect your teeth).
What are you responsible for?
You are less at risk of problems if you do the following:
- Follow the preparation instructions carefully.
- Bring a list of all prescribed, over the counter and herbal medication you take.
- Bring any relevant x-rays.
- Do not drink any alcohol and/or take recreational drugs 24 hours before the procedure.
- Please ensure you make arrangements for someone to drive you home after the procedure. It is not safe to drive until the following day after having sedation or an anaesthetic.
What happens after the gastroscopy?
You will usually be allowed to eat straight away. Your doctor will inform you of the results prior to you leaving the recovery area. Any polyps removed or tissue samples taken will be sent to a pathologist – the results of these tests may take several days; Follow-up of these results will be made with you. Again, please ensure you make arrangements for someone to drive you home after the procedure.
Do NOT drive any type of vehicle or operate machinery until the next day.
Do NOT drink alcohol and/or take other recreational drugs. They may react with the sedation drugs.
Do NOT make important decisions or sign a legal document for the first 24 hours. Have an adult with you on the first night after your gastroscopy.
Notify Dr Walker’s rooms on 5574 6133 during working hours or the hospital Emergency Department straight away if you have:
• severe ongoing abdominal pain.
What if I don’t have the procedure?
Your symptoms may become worse and your doctor will not be able to give you the correct treatment.
Are there other tests I can have instead?
There are other tests that can be done, such as a:
-
X-ray procedures (ultrasound, CT scans, plain x-rays, barium swallow tests), though these are unlikely to replace the need for an endoscopy.
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
Or visit our clinic at Gold Coast Private Hospital, Suite 8, Ground Floor, 14 Hill Street, Southport QLD 4215
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Gold Coast Private Hospital
Suite 8, Ground Floor
14 Hill Street, Southport QLD 4215
Parking stations are accessed from Innovation Drive (off Parklands Drive). There are additionally 20 minute drop-off zones for your convenience. For more information on parking and transport options, please
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