Enteroscopy in Dallas, TX

Before your enteroscopy, you will be given instructions from your Digestive Health Associates of Texas provider informing you of the needed prep. Most individuals will likely be able to eat normally the day leading up to their procedure. Patients will be required not to consume anything by mouth after midnight aside from medications. It is imperative to adhere to the requirements given to you by your doctor. There will also be additional instructions regarding your medications. In many instances, your medications will be continued as usual. However, in select circumstances, especially in those who take blood thinners and who are diabetic, special instructions will be given.

You will be asked to arrive at the endoscopy facility 1 –1.5 hours prior to your enteroscopy procedure. This ensures you're able to complete paperwork and prepare for the procedure. We will have you change into a medical gown. An intravenous (IV) catheter will be placed in your arm so that sedation can be given to you. You will be connected to a system that will allow the providers to monitor your heart rate, pulse, oxygen levels, and much more while you're in our care.

Once settled in your exam room, you will be asked to lie down on your left side on our procedure bed. The IV will then begin. Small amounts are given at a time to make sure that you do not have a reaction to the sedation and to give you only the amount that you need individually. Once an adequate amount of medication is reached, the endoscope will be gently inserted into your mouth. We will carefully advance the scope through your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. A small amount of air will be injected through the scope into the GI tract to help the physician see. Any remaining fluid in the upper gastrointestinal tract is removed through the scope. Based on the outcome of the exam, a number of things can be conducted at the time of the procedure including removal of polyps, biopsies, and control of bleeding. Once we're done with your procedure, the remaining air and fluid are drawn out via the scope. Based on what we find, the exam takes between 15 – 45 minutes.

After the exam, you will be taken to recovery to be observed while the sedation wears off. The amount of IV sedation given during your enteroscopy and your individual reaction to the medication will determine how quickly you wake up, though most patients are awake enough to be released after about 45 – 60 minutes. You will not be allowed to drive for the remainder of the day, so you will need to arrange for a ride home. You will also be instructed not to work, sign official documents, or perform strenuous activities for the rest of the day. Most patients are capable of eating and drinking as they normally would after being released from the endoscopy unit, however, guidelines about activities, eating, and medications will be provided before discharge.

After the enteroscopy procedure, your Digestive Health Associates of Texas team will review the outcome of your procedure with you. A number of individuals will struggle to remember what they are told after the exam due to the effects of the medication. We recommend, if possible, to bring someone with you for these results. You will also go home with a report. You will be informed of any biopsy results after about seven days.