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Endoscopy procedure

We offer fast access to diagnosis and treatment for a range of health problems which require an endoscopy. Based in the heart of the Kent countryside, we provide a discreet and caring environment to help you get better, fast.

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What is an endoscopy?

An endoscopy can be used to help treat a digestive tract problem or diagnose polyps, which can be removed to prevent the development of colon cancer.

Why might I need an endoscopy?

If you’re having difficulty swallowing (also known as dysphagia)
Tummy pain that does not go away or keeps coming back
Diarrhoea and feeling - or being – sick regularly
Unintentional weight loss
Regularly experiencing heartburn or indigestion
Blood in your stool

What is an endoscopy?

What types of endoscopy do we offer?

We offer a range of endoscopy procedures, diagnosis and treatments.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy can check what's causing your bowel symptoms by looking at the lining of your rectum and colon using a long, flexible tube called a colonoscope.

Colonoscopy

Flexible sigmoidoscopy

A procedure to look inside the lower part of the large intestine using a sigmoidoscope; a long, thin flexible tube with a light and camera at the end.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy

Gastroscopy

Used when your food pipe (oesophagus), stomach, or top part of the small intestine need to be looked at. This involves putting the endoscope camera down the throat.

Gastroscopy

Watch our endoscopy webinar

Anyone needing to undergo an internal clinical investigation to diagnose symptoms related to a health concern, will have heard of an endoscopy. But what does it mean? Join Dr Laurence Maiden to find out more.

Watch the webinar Read the transcript

Other private endoscopy procedures we offer

Our Ambulatory Care Unit has the latest endoscope camera equipment and is run by a team of expert Consultants, supported by a Dietician, Nutritionist and Psychologist. We offer the following private endoscopy procedures to treat a range of conditions:

Hysteroscopy: is used to look inside the womb (uterus) if you’re experiencing problems such as irregular periods, or if you have more than one miscarriage
Cystoscopy: used to diagnose problems such as urinary incontinence and if you have blood in your urine. These can be investigated through cystoscopy which looks at the inside of your bladder
Wireless Capsule Endoscopy: involves swallowing a small capsule that has a camera and light in it, which sends pictures to a computer

We offer consultation, diagnosis and treatment for the following:

Crohn's disease and Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease
IBS
Coeliac Disease
Urinary tract infections
Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease
Helicobacter (pylori)
Oesophageal Stricture and Dilatation
Stomach and Duodenal Ulcers
Stomach Cancer and Oesophageal Cancer
Barrett’s Oesophagus
Liver Disease
Cirrhosis
Portal Hypertension
Polyps
Ulcers and tumours of the lower intestine

I have a question about my endoscopy procedure

What is an endoscope?

An endoscope is a long, thin and flexible tube that has a light and camera at the end for doctors to see the inside of your body on a television screen. Endoscopes are either inserted through the mouth and down the throat or through the bottom. Discover more about the endoscope camera.

As well as being used to detect active bleeding from an ulcer, devices can be passed through the endoscope to stop the bleeding.

How do I prepare for an endoscopy?

We may ask you to avoid eating and drinking for several hours before your endoscopy to avoid any complications.

Depending on the type of endoscope procedure you’re having, we may give you bowel preparation to use the day before to help you to empty your bowels.

To help you relax during the endoscopy you should wear comfortable clothes that aren’t too tight.

What happens during the endoscopy procedure?

The procedure usually takes place when you’re awake. You may be given a local anaesthetic to numb a specific part of your body or offered a sedative to help you relax and make you less aware of what’s going on. The sedative, which is administered via an injection into your vein, will relax you and may send you into a light sleep, this is known as conscious sedation.

How long does an endoscopy take?

The endoscope is inserted carefully into your body to allow your Consultant to carry out the procedure. This can take between 15 and 45 minutes. After the procedure you will be taken to our recovery area, which is monitored closely by one of the team.

Is it painful to do an endoscopy?

An endoscopy can be uncomfortable, so you should plan enough time to recover after your operation. You should make arrangements to get home in case you’re feel any discomfort afterwards, or if the procedure requires you to have sedatives.

What’s the difference between an endoscopy and a gastroscopy?

Endoscopy is a broad term used for a range of procedures using an endoscope. A gastroscopy is used to describe the examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

How much does a private endoscopy procedure cost?

Diagnostic Flexible Sigmoidoscopy - Bowel (lower) examination with biopsy of tissue

Guide price from £1,110

Diagnostic Colonoscopy - Bowel examination with biopsy of tissue

Guide price from £1,835

Stomach Examination - Gastroscopy, also known as Endoscopy

Guide price from £2,020

Hysteroscopy

Guide price from £2,120

Colposcopy

Guide price from £795

How can I book a self-pay endoscopy procedure?

Did you know that you can have a private endoscopy procedure? It’s easy to make an appointment; just complete our online booking form or give our Private Patient Team a call on 01580 363158.