- Location: 1507 S Hiawassee Rd Ste 105, Orlando, FL 32835
An endoscopy is an outpatient upper gastrointestinal tract procedure that allows a doctor to see the lining of the esophagus, the stomach and upper part of the small intestine. A thin, flexible instrument called an endoscope is inserted into the mouth and moved gently into the throat, esophagus, and stomach.
During the endoscopy, the doctor looks for signs of ulcers, inflammation, bleeding, infection, and tumors. Tissue samples of the lining and any polyps are taken for biopsy. The bleeding of the intestine can be treated with the endoscope.
Patients are lightly sedated for an endoscopy. Sedatives are usually administered through an IV in the arm. Because of the sedation, patients should plan time for recovery after the procedure as well as someone to drive them home.
What an endoscopy shows
An endoscopy will reveal inflammation of the esophagus and stomach, narrowing of the throat, gastroesophageal reflux disease, ulcers, infections, cancer, blockages, and other diseases and conditions.
Upper endoscopy is performed at an outpatient surgery center — for many of our patients that is Millenia Surgery Center.
Upper endoscopy is performed at our Orlando Center for Digestive Health, and for many of our patients at Millenia Surgery Center.
You will be asked not to eat or drink for several hours beforehand — usually from midnight the night before — so the stomach is empty and the view is clear. Tell your physician in advance about any blood thinners, diabetes medication, or allergies, and about heart or lung conditions. Because you will be sedated, you must arrange for someone to drive you home.
Most patients remember very little of it. You are lightly sedated through an IV, the procedure itself usually takes 10 to 20 minutes, and you rest in recovery afterwards. A sore throat for a day is common. Serious complications are uncommon.
An upper endoscopy examines the esophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine. A colonoscopy examines the colon from the other end. They answer different questions, and some patients have both.
Including GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, peptic ulcers, celiac disease, hiatal hernia and difficulty swallowing.
To discuss this with a gastroenterologist, call (407) 445-9224 or book at one of our four Orlando-area offices.
Most patients at Orlando Gastroenterology are scheduled within a couple of weeks of their consultation, and sooner when symptoms warrant it. If you have alarm symptoms — difficulty swallowing, vomiting blood, black stools or unexplained weight loss — say so when you call, and you will be prioritised rather than placed in the routine queue.
Two things decide how quickly it happens. The first is whether you need a consultation first: if you do, that visit has to come before the procedure is booked. The second is your insurance — some plans require prior authorisation, which typically adds a few days while the paperwork clears.
You can shorten the wait by having your insurance details and medication list ready when you call, and by telling us straight away if you take blood thinners, since those need planning around. Call (407) 445-9224. If you are booking routine colon cancer screening rather than an upper endoscopy, ask about direct access, which skips the consultation entirely for suitable patients.
