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What is an EGD?

  • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is used to examine the lining of your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The esophagus is the muscular tube that connects your throat to your stomach and the duodenum, which is the upper part of your small intestine.
  • An EGD endoscope is a long, flexible tube about the size of your little finger. During the procedure, you are sedated and the EGD scope is passed through the mouth and back of the throat into the upper digestive tract, allowing the physician to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (the first portion of the small intestine).
  • EGD can confirm abnormalities suspected by X-ray and detect others that are too small to be seen on X-ray. If the doctor sees a suspicious area, he or she can pass an instrument through the endoscope and take a small piece of tissue (a biopsy) for examination in the laboratory.

Will I have to complete this procedure?

Our clients are required to complete an EGD as part of the process to surgery. We feel it’s important for your surgeon to see your anatomy through an EGD prior to your weight loss surgery procedure.

What You Need To Know:

  • For 24 hours after the procedure, you should not drive a car, operate machinery, power tools, or handle heavy equipment.
  • A responsible adult should remain with you for the rest of the day.
  • Do not wear any jewelry.
  • You will be given a comfortable set of clothing to change into upon arrival and are yours to keep.

Day Before Procedure:

  • Eat light – i.e. soups
  • No heavy meat

Day of Procedure:

  • Take Diabetes and/or heart medications with small sip of water.
  • Nothing to eat 6 hours before procedure.
  • Nothing to drink 2 hours before procedure.
  • No gum, candy, mints or lozenges.
  • Arrive at designated time.

After the Procedure:

  • The procedure takes about 5 minutes with approximately 45 minutes of wake up time afterward.
  • Expect to be at the surgery center approximately 4-5 hours.
  • No alcohol or carbonated fluids for rest of the day.
  • Eat light if needed after your procedure.