Another reason I NEVER go to doctors is that my mom had a life before I was born, and in that life she was a nurse.
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So I finally gave in to my stubborn ways and made an appointment with a gastroenterologist. I went to the appointment, he prescribed me nexium and told me I needed an endoscopy.
Never having a procedure of this kind before, I took to Google. Unfortunately, there was no information about what its like start to finish. There were a couple of YouTube videos but they only took my through the procedure. So, here is the step by step:
When I made the appointment, they told me it would be that day and I would be called the day before to let me know my arrival time.
When they called the day before, it was around 1:30pm. After telling me my arrival time, they went through my medical history with me and asked me of the medications I was on. They reminded me not to eat or drink anything after midnight, and to remember to bring my photo ID, copay, insurance card, a driver, and list of medications with me.
When I arrived at the surgery center, the receptionist checked me in, took my copay, and had me sign a pile of documents. I was then directed to wait in the reception area until I was called.
Not even five minutes later, I was called. The nurse assigned to me took me to a small room where she took my blood pressure and temperature. She then went over my list of medications, asked when my last menstrual cycle was, and had me sign the document. I had to declare who my driver was and sign a form saying who he was and then sign it. She also asked if I was pregnant and said I would need to either sign a release saying that I am not pregnant or take a pregnancy test. Seeing as I hadn't had anything to drink or eat in 12 hours and not needing to pee whatsoever, I opted for the release. The nurse didn't see happy about me signing the release and she kept repeating that if I am pregnant, the anesthesia will hurt the baby. I signed the paper saying that I am not pregnant and she returned me to the reception area.
About 10 minutes later, my nurse returned and led me to the hospital setting. I was taken to my bed and instructed to take my shirt, bra, and shoes off and put on the gown opening at the back (I know! Opposite of what they tell you at the gyno.) I put on the gown and medical booties and put my personal effects the plastic bag they provided. My nurse came back with a warm blanket. She then started an IV with lactated fluids on my right arm. An anesthesiologist came around and explained what was going to happen and if I had any questions. I also had to sign another release. I was then left for about 45 minutes with the nurse coming around every now and then to ask how I am doing.
Finally, my doctor came around and explained the procedure one final time and asked if I had any questions. After this, I was wheeled into the procedure room. They put a pulse thing on my finger and had me lay on my left side. I was given a oxygen through the nose thing, and a wedge was put behind me to keep me in the correct position. Next, a round thing was put in my mouth and I was asked to bite down. The round thing was like a hollow cylinder. This is how they get the video camera through my mouth and down my throat. The anesthesiologist then explained that I might feel some stinging in my arm.....
The next thing I knew, the nurse was calling my name to wake me up. I was still laying on my left side with the wedge behind me. After I was semi-coherent, she offered me juice or water and carefully removed the wedge from behind me.
I immediately asked for my fiance and they immediately called him back. I was so thirsty, my juice box was gone by the time my finance arrived. The nurse checked my vitals and asked if I felt ok, and I did. After maybe 10 minutes, she came around with images of my esophagus and stomach and a report. EVERYTHING CAME BACK NORMAL!!! After this, my finance signed some papers declaring that he was in fact driving and I signed discharge papers.
Other than my throat being a bit sore for the rest of the day, everything was just fine.
Feel free to ask me any questions about the procedure. I was a nervous wreck until the procedure without any to answer my questions or reassure me.
Never having a procedure of this kind before, I took to Google. Unfortunately, there was no information about what its like start to finish. There were a couple of YouTube videos but they only took my through the procedure. So, here is the step by step:
When I made the appointment, they told me it would be that day and I would be called the day before to let me know my arrival time.
When they called the day before, it was around 1:30pm. After telling me my arrival time, they went through my medical history with me and asked me of the medications I was on. They reminded me not to eat or drink anything after midnight, and to remember to bring my photo ID, copay, insurance card, a driver, and list of medications with me.
When I arrived at the surgery center, the receptionist checked me in, took my copay, and had me sign a pile of documents. I was then directed to wait in the reception area until I was called.
Not even five minutes later, I was called. The nurse assigned to me took me to a small room where she took my blood pressure and temperature. She then went over my list of medications, asked when my last menstrual cycle was, and had me sign the document. I had to declare who my driver was and sign a form saying who he was and then sign it. She also asked if I was pregnant and said I would need to either sign a release saying that I am not pregnant or take a pregnancy test. Seeing as I hadn't had anything to drink or eat in 12 hours and not needing to pee whatsoever, I opted for the release. The nurse didn't see happy about me signing the release and she kept repeating that if I am pregnant, the anesthesia will hurt the baby. I signed the paper saying that I am not pregnant and she returned me to the reception area.
About 10 minutes later, my nurse returned and led me to the hospital setting. I was taken to my bed and instructed to take my shirt, bra, and shoes off and put on the gown opening at the back (I know! Opposite of what they tell you at the gyno.) I put on the gown and medical booties and put my personal effects the plastic bag they provided. My nurse came back with a warm blanket. She then started an IV with lactated fluids on my right arm. An anesthesiologist came around and explained what was going to happen and if I had any questions. I also had to sign another release. I was then left for about 45 minutes with the nurse coming around every now and then to ask how I am doing.
Finally, my doctor came around and explained the procedure one final time and asked if I had any questions. After this, I was wheeled into the procedure room. They put a pulse thing on my finger and had me lay on my left side. I was given a oxygen through the nose thing, and a wedge was put behind me to keep me in the correct position. Next, a round thing was put in my mouth and I was asked to bite down. The round thing was like a hollow cylinder. This is how they get the video camera through my mouth and down my throat. The anesthesiologist then explained that I might feel some stinging in my arm.....
The next thing I knew, the nurse was calling my name to wake me up. I was still laying on my left side with the wedge behind me. After I was semi-coherent, she offered me juice or water and carefully removed the wedge from behind me.
I immediately asked for my fiance and they immediately called him back. I was so thirsty, my juice box was gone by the time my finance arrived. The nurse checked my vitals and asked if I felt ok, and I did. After maybe 10 minutes, she came around with images of my esophagus and stomach and a report. EVERYTHING CAME BACK NORMAL!!! After this, my finance signed some papers declaring that he was in fact driving and I signed discharge papers.
Other than my throat being a bit sore for the rest of the day, everything was just fine.
Feel free to ask me any questions about the procedure. I was a nervous wreck until the procedure without any to answer my questions or reassure me.
