What to Expect During an Upper Endoscopy (EGD)
If your doctor has recommended an upper endoscopy, you may be wondering what the procedure actually involves. The good news: it's a common, quick, and low-risk exam that gives your physician a detailed look at your upper digestive tract. Knowing what to expect ahead of time is the best way to feel calm and prepared. This guide walks you through the whole experience, from why it's ordered to how you'll feel afterward.
Important: Always follow the specific instructions your physician gives you. Details can vary from patient to patient. This guide explains the general process — your personalized instructions from Smithtown Ambulatory Surgery Center always take priority.
What Is an Upper Endoscopy?
An upper endoscopy — also called an EGD, short for esophagogastroduodenoscopy — is a procedure that lets your doctor examine the lining of your upper digestive tract: the esophagus, the stomach, and the beginning of the small intestine (the duodenum).
To do this, the physician uses an endoscope: a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera and light at the tip. The scope is passed gently through your mouth and down your throat, sending clear images to a screen. Because it's a direct view, an EGD often reveals things that scans and blood tests cannot.
Why Might You Need One?
Doctors recommend an upper endoscopy to investigate symptoms or confirm a diagnosis. Common reasons include:
Persistent heartburn or acid reflux (GERD)
Difficulty or pain when swallowing
Ongoing nausea, vomiting, or upper abdominal pain
Unexplained bleeding in the upper digestive tract
Anemia that may be related to the GI tract
Evaluating ulcers, inflammation, or narrowing
Checking for celiac disease or other conditions
An EGD isn't only diagnostic. During the same procedure, your doctor can often treat certain issues — taking a small tissue sample (biopsy), removing a polyp, stopping a bleed, or widening a narrowed area — all through the scope.
How to Prepare
Preparation for an upper endoscopy is simpler than for a colonoscopy, but a few steps are essential:
Fasting. You'll need an empty stomach so your doctor has a clear view and to keep you safe during sedation. Typically this means no food or drink for several hours beforehand — follow the exact timing you're given.
Medications. Ask the office about your current medications. Blood thinners, diabetes medications, and some others may need to be adjusted. Confirm what to take and what to pause.
Arrange a ride. Because you'll likely be sedated, you can't drive yourself home. Bring a responsible adult to drive you and stay with you.
Bring your essentials. Your ID, insurance card, and a list of your medications.
Dress comfortably and leave valuables at home.
What Happens During the Procedure
Here's the step-by-step of the day itself, so there are no surprises:
Check-in and preparation. You'll change into a gown, and the care team will review your history and confirm your consent. They'll place a small IV line for sedation.
Sedation. Most patients receive sedation that keeps them relaxed and comfortable — many sleep through the exam and remember little to nothing. Your throat may also be numbed with a spray.
A protective mouthguard is placed to keep your teeth and the scope safe. You'll lie on your side.
The exam. The physician gently guides the endoscope through your mouth, down the esophagus, and into the stomach and duodenum. The scope doesn't interfere with breathing. If needed, biopsies or treatments are performed painlessly through the scope.
Completion. The whole procedure is usually brief — often around 15 to 30 minutes.
You shouldn't feel pain during the exam. Because of the sedation, most people are surprised by how quickly it's over.
Recovery: What to Expect Afterward
After the procedure, you'll rest in a recovery area while the sedation wears off, usually for about 30 to 60 minutes. The care team will monitor you until you're ready to go home.
It's normal to experience:
A mild sore throat or hoarseness for a short time
Bloating or gas from the air used to inflate the digestive tract during the exam
Grogginess from the sedation
Most people feel back to normal within a day. Because sedation stays in your system, plan to rest for the remainder of the day and avoid driving, operating machinery, signing important documents, or drinking alcohol for the next 24 hours.
Before you leave, your care team will share initial findings and any instructions. If biopsies were taken, results typically follow in a few days.
When to Call the Doctor
Complications from an upper endoscopy are rare, but contact your physician or seek care if you experience:
Severe or worsening abdominal or chest pain
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Fever
Vomiting blood or passing black, tarry stools
Any symptom that feels serious or unusual
Common Questions
Will I be awake during the procedure? Most patients are sedated and comfortable, and many don't remember the exam. Your care team will discuss your sedation options.
Does an upper endoscopy hurt? You shouldn't feel pain. Some people have a mildly sore throat afterward, which passes quickly.
How long does the whole visit take? The exam itself is short, but plan for a few hours total to allow for check-in, preparation, and recovery.
When can I eat again? Once your throat's numbness has fully worn off and you can swallow normally, you can usually resume eating — starting light. Your care team will give you specific guidance.
When will I get my results? Your doctor often shares initial impressions right after the procedure. Biopsy results generally take a few days.