The idea of a slim tube passing through the mouth and into the upper digestive tract sounds unpleasant, but a gastroscopy is a short, simple test and you are sedated throughout. It lets Professor El-Khoury see the lining of your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum directly, rather than inferring what is happening from symptoms alone.
What it can find
Gastroscopy helps explain upper abdominal pain, persistent vomiting and bleeding from the upper digestive tract. It confirms diagnoses such as ulcers and reflux damage, and allows tissue samples and polyps to be taken during the same session.
On the day
You will be sedated and positioned on your side with a nurse assisting. Professor El-Khoury passes the tip of the gastroscope through the mouth and into the upper digestive tract. Your breathing is not affected. A little air is used to gently inflate the stomach so the camera has a clear view.
Professor El-Khoury will talk through the operation with you in the rooms, covering why it is being recommended, what it involves, the risks and the benefits. He also provides Royal Australasian College of Surgeons information sheets on the procedure so you can read them at home and bring questions back.
This page is general information, not medical advice. What applies to you depends on your history, your examination and your results. Bring your questions to the consultation.