About Capsule Endoscopy
Key Highlights
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Non-invasive and painless, requiring no sedation or anesthesia.Provides clear, comprehensive visualization of the entire small intestine.Allows for normal daily activities during the 8-12 hour procedure.Minimal risk compared to traditional endoscopic or surgical procedures.High diagnostic yield for detecting sources of obscure bleeding and small bowel diseases.
Who is this surgery for?
- Evaluation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (overt or occult).
- Suspected Crohn's disease or other inflammatory bowel diseases affecting the small bowel.
- Suspicion of small bowel tumors, polyps, or vascular malformations.
- Unexplained iron-deficiency anemia.
- Persistent, unexplained abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, or malabsorption.
- Assessment of celiac disease that is not responding to treatment.
- Surveillance in patients with inherited polyposis syndromes.
How to prepare
- A clear liquid diet is typically required for 12-24 hours before the procedure.
- Fasting (no food or drink) is usually required for 8-12 hours prior to swallowing the capsule.
- Your doctor may prescribe a bowel preparation (laxative) to ensure a clear view.
- Inform your gastroenterologist about all medications, especially blood thinners or iron supplements, which may need to be adjusted.
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing on the day of the procedure to accommodate the sensor belt/recorder.
- Arrange for transportation if advised, though sedation is not typically used.
Risks & possible complications
- Capsule retention (the capsule gets stuck), which is the most significant risk, especially in patients with strictures or narrowing.
- Very low risk of bowel obstruction if retention occurs, potentially requiring endoscopic or surgical removal.
- Incomplete examination if the capsule's battery expires before it reaches the colon.
- Technical failure of the capsule or recording device.
- Difficulty swallowing the capsule for some patients.
- Allergic reaction to materials in the capsule (extremely rare).
Recovery & hospital stay
- You can resume normal activities and a clear liquid diet immediately after swallowing the capsule.
- Avoid strenuous exercise, bending, or stooping excessively while wearing the sensor belt.
- Do not go near strong magnetic fields (like an MRI) until the capsule has passed.
- The sensor belt/recorder is worn for 8-12 hours and then returned to the clinic.
- You can resume a normal diet after the procedure unless otherwise instructed.
- The capsule is excreted naturally in the stool, usually within 24-72 hours, and does not need to be retrieved.
- Your gastroenterologist will schedule a follow-up appointment to review the captured images and discuss findings.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (outpatient procedure)
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Expected recovery time: 0 days (immediate return to normal activities)
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering capsule endoscopy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for capsule endoscopy in India include Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, KMC Hospital Mangalore, Manipal Hospital Baner, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform capsule endoscopy. MediFyr helps you compare gastroenterologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for capsule endoscopy compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 25 Thousand – 50 Thousand | 0 days (outpatient procedure) | ~ 0 days (immediate return to normal activities) | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 87.5 Thousand – 175 Thousand | 0 days (outpatient procedure) | ~ 0 days (immediate return to normal activities) | Know More |
Top hospitals for Capsule Endoscopy in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated gastroenterology teams and experience managing patients undergoing capsule endoscopy.
Aarav Saxena, a 42-year-old software engineer...
Aarav Saxena, a 42-year-old software engineer and father of two, had been struggling with intermittent but severe abdominal pain and unexplained iron-deficiency anemia for over a year. Multiple standard tests, including an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy, had come back normal, leaving him frustrated and worried about his declining energy levels, which affected his ability to play with his children. His gastroenterologist, Dr. Mehta, recommended a capsule endoscopy to visualize the small intestine, an area the previous scopes couldn't reach, suspecting a possible bleeding source like an arteriovenous malformation or Crohn's disease. On the day of the procedure, Aarav swallowed the pill-sized camera with water after a clear liquid diet. He wore a sensor belt for eight hours, going about his day at home, which felt surreal but manageable. The capsule passed painlessly. The results revealed a small, bleeding ulcer in his jejunum. With targeted medication, his anemia resolved within months, and his energy returned. Emotionally, he moved from a state of anxious uncertainty and feeling like a 'medical mystery' to immense relief and gratitude for a clear diagnosis and effective treatment plan.
Gastroenterologists for Capsule Endoscopy
Explore experienced gastroenterologists who regularly perform capsule endoscopy and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 25 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 34 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 20 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 39 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 11 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 11 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 8 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 14 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 18 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 49 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 35 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 32 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 30 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 30 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 21 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 21 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 9 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai