Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Endoscopy: What to Expect at Home

You had an upper GI endoscopy. Your doctor used a thin, lighted tube that bends to look at the inside of your esophagus, your stomach, and the first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum.

After you have an endoscopy, you may stay at the hospital or clinic for up to 1 or 2 hours. This will allow the medicine to wear off. You will be able to go home after your doctor or nurse checks to make sure that you're not having any problems.

You may have to stay overnight if you had treatment during the endoscopy. You may have a sore throat for a day or two after the procedure.

• Rest as much as you need to after you go home.
• You should be able to go back to your usual activities the day after the procedure.

• Follow your doctor's directions for eating after the procedure.
• Drink plenty of fluids (unless your doctor has told you not to).
• Do not drink alcohol for the rest of the day.

• If you have a sore throat the next day, use an over-the-counter spray to numb your throat.
• Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. You will also be given instructions about taking any new medicines.
• If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.

• For your safety, do not drive or operate machinery until the anesthesia wears off and you can think clearly. Your doctor may tell you not to drive or operate machinery until the day after your test.
• Do not sign legal documents or make major decisions until the medicine wears off and you can think clearly. The anesthesia can make it hard for you to fully understand what you are agreeing to.