You have been scheduled to have an upper endoscopy. Upper endoscopy is a visual examination of the esophagus, stomach and first part of the intestine.
Through the endoscope, we will be able to look for any abnormalities that may be present. If necessary, small tissue samples (biopsies) can be taken during the procedure for laboratory analysis. Your doctor or I can answer any questions that you have concerning the procedure.

ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE PROCEDURE:
You may need to discontinue aspirin, plavix, anti-inflammatory medications (Motrin, celebrex, etc), or coumadin before the procedure. This will be discussed at the pre-procedure consultation.

THE DAY OF THE PROCEDURE:
Take nothing by mouth after midnight. Using only a sip of water, take only the morning medications that you were instructed to take at the pre-procedure consultation.

Arrive at the office at your scheduled time. During the examination, an intravenous sedative will be administered by an anesthesiologist. While administering the sedative, the anesthesiologist will be carefully monitoring your blood pressure, pulse and EKG pattern.
Following the procedure, you will stay in the Recovery Room for about 30 minutes, as the medications are wearing off.

Please arrange for someone to take you home following the procedure. For the remainder of the day, you may not drive a car, operate machinery, or make important decisions. Once again, you MUST be accompanied home after the procedure. It is NOT acceptable to have a taxi cab drive you home.

Upper Endoscopy is a very safe procedure. However, there can rarely be complications, such as reaction to medication, perforation or bleeding.

We hope this outline has answered your questions about the procedure. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us.

Alan M. Schuller MD
Paul K Brodsky MD
Andrea Sacknoff MD

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

Stop aspirin _____ days prior to the procedure

Stop anti-inflammatory medications _____ days prior to the procedure

Stop plavix ______ days prior to the procedure

Stop coumadin _____ days prior to the procedure

Take only the following medications the morning of the procedure:
________________________________________________________________________