EBSCO Health

Print PageSend to a Friend
Health Library Home>Article

Discharge Instructions for Upper GI Endoscopy

An upper GI endoscopy uses a fiberoptic scope to look at the upper part of the gastrointestinal system.

Recovery usually takes 24 hours.

Steps to Take

Home Care

Get plenty of rest for the next 24 hours.

Diet

There may not be a special diet. Eat bland, soft foods at first. Slowly go back to your normal diet. Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours.

Physical Activity

Slowly return to normal activity after 24 hours.

Ask your doctor when you can return to work. Do not drive until your doctor says it is okay to do so.

Medications

You may have stopped taking medicine before the procedure. You can take them again when your care team has said it is okay.

When taking medicine:

  • Take it as advised. Do not change the amount or schedule.
  • Be aware of the side effects. Tell your doctor if you have any.
  • Talk to your doctor before you stop taking any prescription medicine.
  • Do not share your prescription medicine.
  • Medicines can be harmful when mixed. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking more than 1, including over the counter products and supplements.
  • Plan for refills.

Follow-up

Your doctor will want to see you again. Depending on test results, you may need more care. Be sure to go to all appointments.

Call Your Doctor If Any of the Following Occur

Call your doctor if you are not getting better or you have:

  • Signs of infection, such as fever and chills
  • Severe belly pain
  • Hard, swollen belly
  • Problems swallowing or breathing
  • Bloody or black, tarry colored stools
  • Vomit that looks bloody or like coffee grounds
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
  • Bleeding
  • New or worsening symptoms

If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.

RESOURCES:

American Gastroenterological Association
http://www.gastro.org

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
http://www.asge.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Digestive Health Foundation
http://www.cdhf.ca

Health Canada
http://www.canada.ca

REFERENCES:

Acute upper nonvariceal gastrointestinal bleeding. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/approach-to/acute-nonvariceal-upper-gastrointestinal-bleeding. Updated October 1, 2018. Accessed January 30, 2020.

Pain management: an overview. EBSCO Nursing Reference Center website. Available at:https://www.ebscohost.com/nursing/products/nursing-reference-center. Updated June 15, 2018. Accessed January 30, 2020.

Upper endoscopy. American Gastroenterological Association website. Available at: https://www.gastro.org/practice-guidance/gi-patient-center/topic/upper-gi-endoscopy. Accessed January 30, 2020.

Last reviewed November 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Daniel A. Ostrovsky, MD