After your procedure
Nursing staff will tick the boxes below which are relevant to your procedure.
| Tick below if relevant | Patient 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. |
|
| Allow 24 hours to recover before you return to work. You must have a responsible adult with you during this 24 hour period. |
|
| We have given you throat spray. You can have sips of water at _____________________________ hours. |
Eating and drinking after your procedure
Clear fluids
When you can tolerate sips of water, you can start drinking clear fluids (eg diluted squash, water or fizzy drinks) for the first 24 hours after your procedure.
Free fluids and soft diet
When you can tolerate clear fluids, you can start to introduce free fluids and soft foods, such as whole milk, high protein soups, jellies, custard and yoghurts.
Tips on eating and drinking
- If you wear dentures, make sure they fit well.
- Take drinks before and after each meal.
- Chew all your food well before you swallow it.
- Spit foods out if you cannot chew them properly.
- Take small and frequent meals.
- Eat in an upright position during mealtimes. Stay upright for half an hour (30 minutes) after meals.
- Relax and eat slowly.
- Include plenty of extra sauces, gravy and custard with meals.
- Make sure you add milk to porridge or Weetabix for breakfast options.
- Avoid hard lumps of food.
- Warm or fizzy drinks can help to prevent blockages.
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.
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
- abdominal (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.
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 _________ months __________ years. |
|
| We have taken biopsies (samples) or removed polyps (tissue growths). Biopsy/polyp reports can take up 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 days. They will either write to you or arrange to see you again. | |
| We have referred you to the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). | |
| 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 secretary.
Other information
Completed by (print name) _______________________________
Signed __________________________________________________
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)
Contact your dietitian or nurse specialist if your ability to swallow does not improve, even after following the advice in this leaflet.
Telephone:
Endoscopy Unit: 020 8934 6433 or 020 8934 6613
Hardy Ward: 020 8934 2316 or 020 8934 2315