Enteroscopy in Lubbock, TX

Before your enteroscopy, you will be given instructions from your Lubbock Digestive Disease Associates gastroenterologist explaining the required preparation. Most patients will be allowed to eat as normal the day leading up to the exam. Patients will be asked not to eat or drink anything after midnight apart from medications. It is very important to adhere to the instructions provided by our team. You may also receive further information regarding your medications. In many cases, your medications will be continued as instructed. However, special instructions will be provided for select patients, especially those on anti-coagulants and who have diabetes.

We will ask you to enter the endoscopy facility an hour to an hour and a half before your enteroscopy exam. This ensures you're able to fill out paperwork and get prepped. We will have you change into a hospital gown. An intravenous (IV) catheter will be inserted in your arm so sedation can be given to you. You will be connected to equipment that will enable our providers to monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, pulse, electrocardiogram, breathing, and oxygen level while you're in our care.

Once in the exam room, we'll have you lie down on your left side on the exam table. The IV will be started. It will be administered in small amounts to verify that you do not have an adverse reaction to the medication and to provide only the amount you specifically need. Once the correct amount of sedation is achieved, the endoscope will be carefully inserted into the mouth. The scope will be carefully advanced through your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. A small amount of air will be injected through the scope into your GI tract to help your provider see. Any fluid remaining in the upper gastrointestinal tract is suctioned out through the scope. Depending on the outcome of your procedure, several things can be done during your enteroscopy including biopsies, removal of polyps, and control of bleeding. Once we're done, air and any remaining fluid are removed through the scope. The length of the procedure largely depends on the findings, but usually takes between 15 – 45 minutes.

Once the exam is complete, the patient is taken to the recovery room to be monitored while you come out of sedation. The amount of IV sedation given during the exam and your particular response to the sedation will determine how quickly you come to, though most individuals are awake enough to be released within 45 – 60 minutes. You will not be allowed to drive for the remainder of the day, so you will need to arrange for a ride home. You will also be instructed not to work, sign important documents, or complete taxing activities for the remainder of the day. Many of our patients can eat and drink as they normally would after their discharge from the endoscopy facility; however, specific instructions regarding activity, eating, and medications will be discussed before you are discharged.

Following the enteroscopy, your Lubbock Digestive Disease Associates team will review the outcome of the procedure with you. Many individuals will not remember what they are told after the exam because of the effects of the sedation. We recommend, if possible, to have someone come with you for these results. We will also send you home with a report. Biopsy results are typically available within one week.