Anesthesia and Recovery for Endoscopy
A medication called propofol is typically used for endoscopy anesthesia. Medications relax the patient and numb the area while allowing communication. Endoscopy itself is not painful, but introduced air may cause discomfort.
You can usually go home the same day. Throat discomfort, nausea and bloating are common temporary side effects.
Upper endoscopy takes 15-45 minutes. Complications are uncommon.
Colonoscopy may cause cramping, gas or rectal soreness afterwards. Warm liquids help cramps. Moving around helps pass gas.
Sedation Levels and Monitoring
Patients are lightly sedated but usually awaken shortly after. This is called "twilight sleep". Some procedures use general anesthesia.
Deep sedation requires closer patient monitoring. In many places, anesthesia personnel are required for propofol use, which may involve additional patient costs.
Endoscopy visualizes organs through a tiny camera on a flexible tube.