Endoscopy Gold Coast

A gastroscopy may be recommended to investigate symptoms such as ongoing reflux or heartburn, difficulty swallowing, upper abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, unexplained anaemia or bleeding from the upper digestive tract. It can also be used to take biopsies, for example to test for coeliac disease.

A colonoscopy may be recommended if you have bleeding from the back passage, a change in bowel habit, unexplained anaemia or abdominal pain, or a positive result from a bowel screening test such as the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. It is also used for follow-up if you have had bowel polyps before or have a strong family history of bowel cancer.

Endoscopy is usually done under sedation given by an anaesthetist, so you will be very relaxed and drowsy. Most people do not remember the procedure afterwards.

For a gastroscopy, you will need to fast for several hours beforehand. For a colonoscopy, you will need to follow a special diet for a day or two and take bowel preparation, a strong laxative that clears the bowel so it can be seen clearly. You will be given detailed written instructions. Let us know before your procedure if you take blood thinners, diabetes medication or other regular medicines, as these may need to be adjusted.

A gastroscopy usually takes around 10 to 15 minutes, and a colonoscopy usually takes around 20 to 45 minutes. You will also spend time being prepared beforehand and recovering from the sedation afterwards, so allow several hours for your visit.

No. Sedation can affect your judgement and reactions for the rest of the day. You will need an adult to take you home, and you should not drive, operate machinery, drink alcohol or sign important documents for the rest of the day, or for as long as you are advised.

Polyps are small growths on the lining of the bowel. Most are benign, but some types can develop into bowel cancer over time. Polyps found during a colonoscopy can often be removed at the same time and sent to a pathologist for testing. Depending on the results, you may be advised to have another colonoscopy in the future.

Initial findings can often be explained to you after the procedure, once you have recovered from the sedation. If biopsies were taken or polyps removed, pathology results usually take several days, and these will be discussed with you at follow-up or sent to your GP.

Endoscopy is generally very safe, but like any procedure it carries risks. These can include a reaction to the sedation, a sore throat after gastroscopy, bloating or cramping, and bleeding, particularly after a polyp is removed. Rarely, a small tear in the bowel or digestive tract can occur, which may need surgery. It is also possible for an abnormality to be missed. Go to your nearest emergency department or call 000 if you have severe abdominal pain, a fever, or heavy bleeding after your procedure.

Costs vary depending on the procedure, whether biopsies or polyp removal are needed, the hospital or day procedure centre and your level of health insurance cover. Please contact our rooms on (07) 5539 3999 to discuss the likely costs for your situation.

You can book by calling (07) 5539 3999 or by sending a message through the Quick Enquiry form on this page. A referral from your GP or another medical practitioner is needed to claim a Medicare rebate. Our rooms are at Suite 11, Pindara Place, 13 Carrara Street, Benowa QLD 4217.