Lower GI Endoscopy in Ahmedabad

During a colonoscopy, the doctor can also take small tissue samples (biopsies) and remove polyps — small growths, some of which can turn into cancer over time if left. This is one reason colonoscopy is used for bowel cancer screening.

At Tirtham Surgical Hospital, Science City Road, Sola, Ahmedabad, lower GI endoscopy is one of the endoscopic procedures listed by the hospital, and the hospital has an endoscopic setup. This page explains the types of lower GI endoscopy, when it is needed, bowel preparation, what happens, recovery and risks.

Types of Lower GI Endoscopy

Test	What is examined	Points to note
Colonoscopy	The rectum and the whole colon, and sometimes the last part of the small bowel	Needs full bowel preparation; usually done with sedation; the complete examination used for screening and most symptoms
Flexible sigmoidoscopy	The rectum and the lower part of the colon	Usually needs only an enema; often done without sedation; shorter but examines only part of the bowel
Proctoscopy	The anal canal and lower rectum	A short examination in the clinic, often used for piles and fissures

What Lower GI Endoscopy Can Find and Treat

It can help diagnose	Treatments that may be done during the procedure, when needed
Polyps	Removal of polyps (polypectomy)
Bowel cancer, including at an early stage	Biopsies to confirm a diagnosis
Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease)	Biopsies to assess inflammation
Diverticular disease	Stopping bleeding from a bleeding point
The source of bleeding from the back passage or unexplained anaemia	Marking (tattooing) an area so it can be found during later surgery
Narrowing (stricture) of the bowel	Stretching (dilatation) of some narrowings

Lower GI endoscopy can also show that the bowel lining looks normal, which helps rule out a serious cause of the symptoms.

When a Colonoscopy May Be Needed

Symptom or situation	Why it matters
Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in the stool	To find the cause
A change in bowel habit lasting more than a few weeks	A warning sign that needs investigation
Unexplained anaemia or weight loss	Can point to a bowel cause
Long-standing diarrhoea	To look for inflammation or other causes
Screening for bowel cancer	Many international guidelines advise bowel cancer screening (by stool test or colonoscopy) from about 45–50 years for people at average risk; your doctor can advise whether it applies to you
A family history of bowel cancer or polyps	Screening may be advised earlier
A previous polyp, bowel cancer or inflammatory bowel disease	Follow-up (surveillance) colonoscopy at advised intervals

Bleeding Is Not Always Piles

Bleeding from the back passage is often caused by piles or a fissure, but it can also come from a polyp, inflammation or bowel cancer. It should not be assumed to be piles without a check by a doctor, especially if you are over 40, if the bleeding is new, or if it comes with a change in bowel habit, weight loss or dark blood mixed with the stool.

Related pages: Piles · Fissure

Colonoscopy Procedure in Ahmedabad: Step by Step

The bowel must be completely clean for the doctor to see the lining clearly. Poor preparation can mean that polyps are missed or the test has to be repeated.

Stage	What happens
A few days before	A low-fibre diet, as advised; iron tablets may need to be stopped; tell the team about blood thinners and diabetes medicines
The day before and the day of the test	Clear liquids only, and the prescribed bowel preparation solution, often split into two doses; expect frequent loose motions; drink plenty of clear fluids to avoid dehydration; clear liquids are usually stopped about 2 hours before the test, as advised
During	Sedation through a vein; you lie on your side; the colonoscope is passed through the back passage, and air or carbon dioxide is used to open the bowel; the test usually takes about 20–45 minutes
After	You rest until the sedation wears off; bloating and cramps settle as the gas passes; the findings are explained, and biopsy and polyp results follow later

After Sedation

After sedation, do not drive, operate machinery, sign important documents or drink alcohol for the rest of the day. Someone should take you home. Most people return to normal activities the next day. If a polyp was removed, specific advice is given on activity, medicines and warning signs.

Risks and Possible Complications

Colonoscopy is generally safe, but like any procedure it has risks. The doctor explains these before taking consent.

Bloating and cramps for a short time
Dehydration or salt imbalance from the bowel preparation, especially in older people or those with kidney or heart disease
Reaction to sedation, such as breathing or heart rhythm problems — uncommon
Bleeding, mainly after polyp removal; usually within two weeks, occasionally later
A tear (perforation) of the bowel — rare, more likely after polyp removal or stretching, and may need surgery
Incomplete examination, because of poor preparation or a difficult bowel, needing a repeat test or another test such as CT colonography
A polyp or other abnormality being missed, which is why preparation and follow-up matter

When to Contact the Hospital After the Test

Severe or increasing abdominal pain, or a swollen, hard abdomen
Fever or chills
More than a small amount of bleeding from the back passage
Dizziness or fainting

Lower GI Endoscopy Cost in Ahmedabad

Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy
Sedation
Biopsies, polyp removal and histopathology
Other treatments during the procedure
Day-care or admission

A written estimate can be requested from the hospital before the procedure.

Insurance

Mediclaim and cashless facility is available, subject to the patient's policy terms and insurer approval
Assistance is provided with documents required for reimbursement claims

Lower GI Endoscopy Doctor in Ahmedabad

A colonoscopy is performed by a gastroenterologist or a surgeon trained in endoscopy. A lower GI endoscopy doctor in Ahmedabad usually works with other doctors before and after the test:

Doctor	Role in lower GI endoscopy
Family physician	First assessment of bowel symptoms; refers for colonoscopy or arranges a stool test for screening
Gastroenterologist or surgeon trained in endoscopy	Decides whether the test is needed, performs the colonoscopy, takes biopsies and removes polyps when suitable
Anaesthetist	Gives or supervises sedation at some centres, especially for patients with heart or lung disease
Pathologist	Examines biopsies and removed polyps under a microscope
General or colorectal surgeon	Plans surgery when a cancer, a large polyp or a narrowing cannot be treated through the endoscope

Questions worth asking before the test:

Do I need a full colonoscopy, or would a sigmoidoscopy be enough?
How should I take the bowel preparation, and what can I eat or drink?
Should I stop blood thinners, diabetes medicines or iron tablets, and for how long?
Will I be given sedation, and who will take me home?
If a polyp is found, will it be removed during the same test?
When will the biopsy or polyp results be ready, and when is the next colonoscopy due?

Lower GI Endoscopy Hospital in Ahmedabad

A colonoscopy is usually a day-care test, but it needs a clean, well-equipped endoscopy area and support in case of a complication. When choosing a lower GI endoscopy treatment hospital in Ahmedabad, these are the facilities that matter most:

Facility	Why it matters
Endoscopy setup with proper cleaning and disinfection of endoscopes	Prevents infection passing between patients
Sedation and monitoring facilities	Keeps breathing, oxygen level and heart rate under watch during the test
Toilets and a recovery area	Needed after bowel preparation and while the sedation wears off
Equipment for biopsy, polyp removal and control of bleeding	Allows many findings to be treated during the same test
Histopathology services	Confirms the diagnosis from biopsies and removed polyps
Emergency surgical support	A rare bowel tear or heavy bleeding may need urgent surgery

The facilities available at Tirtham Surgical Hospital are listed further below on this page.

Treating Surgeon

At Tirtham Surgical Hospital, lower GI endoscopy in Ahmedabad is performed by:

Detail	Information
Name	Dr. Alpesh Patel
Qualification	MBBS, MS (Civil Hospital, Surat)
Specialty	General & Laparoscopic Surgery
Designation	Founder, Tirtham Surgical Hospital
Registration status	Registered Medical Practitioner
Registration number	Gujarat Medical Council Reg. No. G14657
OPD availability	On appointment, Mon–Sat
Emergency surgical services	24-hour emergency operating team at Tirtham Surgical Hospital

View doctor profile

Facilities at Tirtham Surgical Hospital

24-hour emergency operating team
Laparoscopic and endoscopic setup
Mediclaim and cashless facility, subject to policy terms
6 themed recovery rooms
Large parking facility

Frequently asked questions

When should I see a lower GI endoscopy doctor in Ahmedabad?+

See a doctor for bleeding from the back passage, a lasting change in bowel habit, long-standing diarrhoea, unexplained anaemia or weight loss, or if you are due for bowel cancer screening. Colonoscopy is performed by a gastroenterologist or a surgeon trained in endoscopy, so a lower GI endoscopy specialist in Ahmedabad or a lower GI endoscopy surgeon in Ahmedabad can advise whether the test is needed. When choosing a doctor, check the doctor's qualifications and medical council registration.

Why is colonoscopy used for bowel cancer screening?+

Colonoscopy shows the whole colon, and polyps found during the test can usually be removed at the same time. Some polyps can turn into cancer over years, so finding and removing them can help prevent bowel cancer. Other screening tests, such as stool tests for hidden blood, are also used; a positive result is usually followed by a colonoscopy.

How difficult is the bowel preparation?+

It involves a clear-liquid diet and a prescribed laxative solution, with frequent loose motions for some hours. It is the most inconvenient part, but a clean bowel is essential for an accurate examination. Clear instructions are given beforehand.

Is a colonoscopy painful?+

It is usually done with sedation, and most people feel only pressure, bloating or cramps. Discomfort varies from person to person. A sigmoidoscopy is often done without sedation.

What is the difference between a colonoscopy and a sigmoidoscopy?+

A colonoscopy examines the whole colon and needs full bowel preparation, usually with sedation. A sigmoidoscopy examines only the lower part of the colon, usually after an enema and often without sedation. A colonoscopy is usually preferred for investigating unexplained bleeding and after a positive screening test.

Is bleeding from the back passage always piles?+

No. It is often caused by piles or a fissure, but it can also come from a polyp, inflammation or bowel cancer. It should be checked by a doctor, especially if you are over 40 or have a change in bowel habit or weight loss.

What facilities should a lower GI endoscopy hospital in Ahmedabad have?+

A lower GI endoscopy treatment hospital in Ahmedabad should have an endoscopy setup with proper cleaning and disinfection of endoscopes, sedation and monitoring facilities, toilets and a recovery area, histopathology services and emergency surgical support. You can also ask whether polyp removal is done during the same procedure.

What decides the cost of a colonoscopy?+

The cost depends on the type of test, sedation, biopsies, polyp removal, histopathology and any other treatment during the procedure. A written estimate can be requested from the hospital.

Is colonoscopy covered by health insurance?+

Coverage for day-care or outpatient tests varies between policies, and screening tests may not be covered. Colonoscopy done for a medical reason as part of hospital treatment is generally covered, subject to policy terms, waiting periods and insurer approval. Tirtham Surgical Hospital has a mediclaim and cashless facility and helps with the required documents.

Contact and Location

Tirtham Surgical Hospital

3rd Floor, Silver Radiance 2, 312-315, Science City Road, Sola, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380060

Call:: +91-9428736360
WhatsApp:: +91-9428736360
Landline:: 079-27436360 | 079-40036360
Tirtham SurgiMitra (second-opinion line):: +91-9974416665
Email:: info@tirthamhospital.com
Get Directions:: Science City Road, Sola, Ahmedabad
Emergency:: 24-hour emergency operating team
OPD timings:: On appointment, Mon–Sat

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