A gastroscopy is performed to allow your consultant to look at your oesophagus. The procedure can be done under a local anaesthetic or a sedative, meaning that you won’t need to be put to sleep.

During the procedure a guard is placed into your mouth, the consultant will then put a gastroscope in your mouth and ask you to swallow. The scope can then examine far down into your stomach, the camera on the end of the scope displays images on a screen so that the consultant can diagnose your symptoms.

During the procedure, the consultant may need to take biopsies. These are small samples of tissue that can be used to help with your diagnosis. They will be sent away to be examined and your results will be sent directly to your consultant to discuss with you at your follow up appointment. The procedure doesn’t take very long, only around 5 to 10 minutes and is performed as a day case, meaning that you can leave the hospital on the same day.

Afterwards your throat may be slightly sore and you may also be bloated, but these are temporary side effects that will eventually wear off. Complications from a gastroscopy are very rare, Mr Stylianides will discuss everything with you prior to your procedure.

If you have had a sedative, you must not drive for 24-hours following your procedure.