After your procedure

Nursing staff will tick the boxes below which are relevant to you.

Tick if relevant Instructions
 

We have given you sedation which may make you feel sleepy and forgetful.

For 24 hours do not drive, operate machinery (including kettles and cookers), drink alcohol or sign legal documents.

You must have a responsible adult with you during this 24 hour period.
  Allow 24 hours to recover before you return to work.
  We have given you throat spray. You can have sips of water from _____________________________ (time).

Eating and drinking 

Follow the advice below, unless we discharge you with different instructions.

If your swallowing still does not improve, contact your dietitian or CNS (clinical nurse specialist).

First 24 hours: clear fluids only

  • When you can take sips of water without feeling (or being) sick, you can start drinking clear fluids. Clear fluids include diluted squash, water, fizzy drinks and black tea and coffee.

Free fluids and soft diet

  • When you can tolerate clear fluids, you can start to introduce free fluids and soft foods.
    • Free fluids include water, milk, smooth soups, smooth yoghurt, tea or coffee with milk. 
    • Soft foods include whole milk, high protein soups, yogurts, custard and jellies.

Tips on eating and drinking

  • Take drinks before and after each meal.
  • Take small and frequent meals. Relax and eat slowly.
  • Eat in an upright position. Stay upright for half an hour (30 minutes) after meals.
  • Chew all your food well before you swallow it. Spit food out if you cannot chew it properly.
  • Avoid hard lumps of food.
  • Include plenty of extra sauces, gravy and custard with meals.
  • Add milk to porridge or Weetabix for breakfast options.
  • If you wear dentures, make sure they fit well.
Warm or fizzy drinks can help to prevent stent blockages. You may choose to have a warm or fizzy drink with every meal, or immediately you feel your food has become stuck.

Possible stent blockage

  • If you think your stent may be blocked, do not panic. The blockage affects your food pipe and will not affect your ability to breathe.
  • Stop eating, stand up and have a few sips of a drink. Try a warm or fizzy drink (cola can be helpful).
  • Speak to your GP or pharmacist to review your medications. They can make sure they are not in a form that will increase the risk of a stent blockage.
  • See also 'When to seek urgent medical care' below.

When to seek urgent medical care

Make an urgent GP appointment or go to your nearest Emergency Department (A&E) if you experience any of the following during the 72 hours after your procedure:

  • severe chest pain which does not stop
  • tummy pain, especially if it gets gradually worse and is different or stronger than any pain or heartburn you usually have
  • raised temperature (fever)
  • difficulty breathing
  • vomiting blood
  • your stent blockage continues for more than 2 hours
  • you are unable to swallow your own saliva (possible stent blockage).

Follow-up

Nursing staff will tick the boxes below which are relevant to your endoscopy report.

Tick if relevant  
 

You will need to have this procedure again.

We will make an appointment for you in approximately _________ months __________ years.
  We have taken biopsies (samples) or removed polyps (tissue growths). Biopsy/polyp reports can take 2 to 6 weeks and they will be sent to your GP and/or consultant.
  We have given you a copy of your endoscopy report.
  We will post the results of your procedure to your GP or consultant. This takes about 5 working days. They will either write to you or arrange to see you again.
  We have referred you to the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). They can be your point of contact for any concerns you have about your condition.
  You will need a further investigation with a CT scan. Our radiology department will contact you.

Important

If you have not received your biopsy results within 2 weeks:

  • Contact your GP
    or
  • Call Kingston Hospital on 020 8546 7711 and ask to be connected to your consultant's secretary.

Other information

 

 

 

Completed by (print name) _____________________________________

Signed ________________________________________________________

Date    ________________________________________________________

Contact information

If you need advice, call the Endoscopy Unit, Monday to Friday 8am to 5.30pm

 

Out of hours (5.30pm to 8am), contact Kingston Hospital Hardy Ward

 

For urgent attention, go to the Kingston Hospital Emergency Department (A&E)

 

To reschedule or cancel an appointment

Endoscopy bookings team, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Email: krft.endoscopy@nhs.net

Telephone:

Endoscopy Unit: 020 8934 6433 or 020 8934 6613

 

Hardy Ward: 020 8934 2316 or 020 8934 2315

 

Endoscopy bookings team: 020 8934 2099 (option 2)