Discharge Info

Important discharge information following your procedure

SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WHEN YOU ARRIVE HOME, PLEASE CALL :

During Business Hours;

  • The Gastrointestinal Centre – 07 5564 6922

After Hours;

      • Pindara Private Hospital – 07 5588 9888
      • John Flynn Private Hospital – 07 5598 9000
      • 13HEALTH (13 498 584)
      • Or please attend you local hospital Emergency Department with your post discharge information sheet

AFTER GASTROSCOPY

  • There may be some temporary soreness of the throat.
  • Heavy or prolonged bleeding TO black stools

COMPLICATIONS
Complications following gastroscopy are extremely rare, however should you develop any symptoms of:

  • Severe or prolonged pain
  • Heavy or prolonged bleeding
  • Vomiting of blood
  • Increased difficulty in swallowing
  • Coughing or difficulty in breathing
  • Fever within 24 hours

Please contact The Gastrointestinal Centre immediately during office hours on 07 5564 6922, alternatively present to the nearest emergency department.

WHEN YOU GET HOME

  • Rest at home for the remainder of the day
  • Eat normally unless otherwise instructed
  • Resume all your regular medication (specific instructions may be given regarding any blood thinning medication).
  • Although most patients recover rapidly from these tests, occasionally the effects of the drugs you received may take several hours to wear off
  • You will be able to return to work the day following your procedure

THEREFORE YOU MUST NOT:

  • Drive a car or operate machinery on the day of your procedure
  • Make important decisions or sign any legal documents
  • Drink alcohol or take sedatives for 12 hours

AFTER COLONOSCOPY

  • You should keep up your fluids when you get home as the preparation may have caused mild dehydration.  If you have a headache this is often due to mild dehydration.
  • Your bowel habit may not return to normal for up to a week.
  • You may notice some increased wind after the test. It was necessary to introduce air into the bowel during the examination in order to see all parts of the bowel.  Walking around helps as does lying down on your RIGHT side.
  • You may take a mild analgesic (e.g. Panadol) if necessary for pain.
  • Resume all your regular medications.

COMPLICATIONS

Complications following gastroscopy and colonoscopy are extremely rare, however should you develop any symptoms of:

  • Severe or prolonged pain
  • Heavy or prolonged bleeding
  • Vomiting of blood
  • Increased difficulty in swallowing
  • Coughing or difficulty in breathing
  • Fever within 24 hours

Please contact The Gastrointestinal Centre immediately during office hours on 0755 646922, alternatively present to the nearest emergency department.

WHEN YOU GET HOME

  • Rest at home for the remainder of the day
  • Eat normally unless otherwise instructed
  • Resume all your regular medication (specific instructions may be given regarding any blood thinning medication)
  • Although most patients recover rapidly from these tests, occasionally the effects of the drugs you received may take several hours to wear off
  • You will be able to return to work the day following your procedure

THEREFORE YOU MUST NOT:

  • Drive a car or operate machinery on the day of your procedure
  • Make important decisions or sign any legal documents
  • Drink alcohol or take sedatives for 12 hours