Please be aware, the information on this page relates to Bedford Hospital

Gastroscopy and Banding of Varices Advice on Discharge

You have had sedation today, it is essential that a responsible adult accompanies you home and stays with you for the next 24 hours.

You should not drive a car, operate machinery, drink any alcohol, sign any legally binding document or look after young children or other dependants for 24 hours.

You should take a soft diet only (puree consistency) for example soups, jelly, ice cream, yoghurts, mashed potato for the first 24-48 hours.. You are advised to take cool drinks and soft food for the next couple of days. You should also avoid hot drinks for 24 hours, you may have warm drinks but not hot.

You may resume your normal prescription medicines unless otherwise advised on discharge.

You may also feel some soreness in your chest due to the procedure you have had done. This may last several days.

There may be some slight soreness where the instrument has been;

Some bloating may be experienced if air has remained in your gastrointestinal tract (stomach and/or bowel). This is not something to worry about, it will resolve itself naturally over the next few hours. However, if it gripes you, having a hot drink, or taking some peppermint water and walking around, might help to provide some relief.

Side effects to look out for

These side effects are extremely rare but we need to make you aware of symptoms to look out for.

Things to report to your doctor:

  • Mild Fever;
  • Redness, tenderness and swelling around the IV cannula site (through which injections were given) that persists for more than 48 hours.

When to seek help/ urgent advice:

Attend Accident and Emergency department if you have the following symptoms:

  • Persistent nausea and vomiting (vomiting of  blood, or dark brown fluid)
  • Pass black tarry stools.
  • Severe pain in your chest or stomach
  • Temperature greater than 100°F / 39 °C;
  • Weakness or dizziness.
  • Difficulty with breathing

Please bring your Oesophageal Banding report with you to Accident and Emergency department 

Further information and advice

If you have any urgent medical queries between the times of 1800-0800 relating to the symptoms that we advise you to look out for on your discharge leaflet – Please use our new dedicated Out of Hours Hot-Line.  This will put you in contact with our partners at the L+D Gastro-Enterology Ward. They will not have access to your report so please have this handy when you make your call.

07815178199.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact your GP or NHS 111 for medical advice .

Bedford Hospital Endoscopy unit: (Monday to Sunday 8am to 6pm)

01234 355122 ext. 6445

For appointment queries: 01234 792269

FOLLOWING THIS PROCEDURE YOU MUST NOT DONATE BLOOD FOR 4-6 MONTHS

The reason for this is that your ability to donate blood in the future is dependent upon your diagnosis and the possibility that you might need to undergo further investigations or complete treatments. (British Society of Gastroenterology, 2019)

National guidance recommends that you do not fly for 2 weeks following this procedure