About Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Key Highlights
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Minimally invasive procedure with no surgical incisions.Provides direct, high-definition visualization of the upper GI tract.Enables both diagnosis and treatment during a single session.Allows for precise tissue sampling (biopsy) for laboratory analysis.Typically performed on an outpatient basis with a short recovery time.Highly effective for investigating persistent symptoms like heartburn, pain, or difficulty swallowing./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Persistent heartburn (GERD), abdominal pain, or chest pain.
- Difficulty or pain with swallowing (dysphagia/odynophagia).
- Unexplained nausea, vomiting, or early satiety.
- Evidence of upper GI bleeding (vomiting blood, black tarry stools, anemia).
- To evaluate abnormalities seen on an X-ray or CT scan.
- Suspected ulcers, inflammation (gastritis, esophagitis), or celiac disease.
- Screening and surveillance for conditions like Barrett's esophagus.
- Removal of foreign bodies or ingested objects.
How to prepare
- Fasting is required: No food or drink (including water) for typically 6-8 hours before the procedure to ensure an empty stomach.
- Discuss all current medications with your doctor, especially blood thinners (e.g., aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel), which may need to be temporarily adjusted.
- Inform the doctor of any allergies, especially to medications or sedatives.
- Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home after the procedure, as the sedatives will impair your reflexes.
- Follow specific instructions regarding diabetes management if applicable.
Risks & possible complications
- Reaction to the sedative medication, causing breathing difficulties or low blood pressure.
- Sore throat or hoarseness for a day or two.
- Minor bleeding, especially if a biopsy or polyp removal is performed.
- Perforation (a tear in the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum) – a rare but serious complication.
- Infection, though very uncommon.
- Complications related to pre-existing heart or lung conditions.
Recovery & hospital stay
- You will be monitored in a recovery area until the sedative effects wear off (usually 30-60 minutes).
- You may feel bloated or have mild cramping due to the air introduced during the procedure.
- A sore throat is common; throat lozenges or warm salt water gargles can help.
- You can resume a normal diet once swallowing returns to normal, unless instructed otherwise.
- Rest for the remainder of the day. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or making important decisions for 24 hours.
- Your doctor will discuss preliminary findings after the procedure, with biopsy results typically available in a few days.
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Typical hospital stay: Same day (Outpatient)
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Expected recovery time: 1-2 days
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for upper gastrointestinal 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 upper gastrointestinal 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 upper gastrointestinal endoscopy compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated gastroenterology teams and experience managing patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Vivaan Saxena, a 58-year-old history professor,...
Vivaan Saxena, a 58-year-old history professor, had been experiencing a persistent, gnawing pain in his upper abdomen for months, especially after meals. He had a family history of stomach cancer, which weighed heavily on his mind. His primary care doctor noted his symptoms and a slight drop in his hemoglobin levels, recommending he see a gastroenterologist. The specialist, Dr. Sharma, listened empathetically to Vivaan's fears about his family history and explained that an Upper GI Endoscopy was the best way to visually examine his stomach lining and get answers. On the day of the procedure, Vivaan was very anxious, but the sedation made it a quick, dream-like experience. The biopsy results came back clear, showing only mild gastritis. The immense relief Vivaan felt was transformative. With dietary changes and medication, his pain subsided. He moved from a state of constant worry about a grim legacy to one of empowered management of a treatable condition, feeling like a weight had been lifted.
Gastroenterologists for Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Explore experienced gastroenterologists who regularly perform upper gastrointestinal 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