Egd - What To Expect?

[harmony11 37]

Can someone tell me what to expect with the EGD? Will I be able to come back to work? Do I need someone to drive me?

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Do mean possibly ECG/EKG?

If so, it's a piece of cake and totally painless. They just attach some sticky electrodes to check your heart. Nothing at all to fear

I drove myself to mine, I'm sure you'll be fine to return to work after too.

[cmoody821 44]

They put you under for an EGD. Yes you need to take the day off and someone needs to drive you. It's a quick procedure.

[jen_1381 446]

For an EGD (esophagogastroduednoscopy) you will be put under sedation so no, you can't drive yourself and you probably will not want to go back to work. The sedation will make you tired for the rest of the day.

Basically, once you check into the hospital or outpatient center, they will start an IV lock in your hand (which is where you get the sedation). They will take you into the endoscopy lab, you'll meet with the gastroenterologist that you're working with, and they will give you some medication through the IV to make you sleep. You will most likely not remember any part of the procedure. Once you're sedated, they'll (most likely) put a bite block in your mouth so you don't bite down on the scope and pass the scope (which is literally no bigger around than a pencil) down your throat, through your esophagus, and into your stomach. After the procedure, they'll wheel you back to the "recovery" area, and you'll take about 30 mins to an hour to wake up and feel "normal" again. That being said, you'll be groggy the rest of the day. They'll advise against driving or anything that involves quick reactions.

You shouldn't have any pain whatsoever.

(I've had one done, but also worked in an endoscopy lab for 5+ years)

[jen_1381 446]

Also - as far as diet aftewards - they will start you out in the recovery area drinking liquids but you need to be alert first. With the throat/body being relaxed you run the possibility of choking and aspirating. They usually suggest soft foods for the rest of the day, or at least a few hours after.