The test usually takes about 5–15 minutes and is often done as a day-care procedure, with a throat spray and/or sedation. Some treatments, such as stopping bleeding, removing a stuck object or stretching a narrowed area, can be done during the same procedure when needed.
At Tirtham Surgical Hospital, Science City Road, Sola, Ahmedabad, upper GI endoscopy is one of the endoscopic procedures listed by the hospital, and the hospital has an endoscopic setup. This page explains what the test is, when it is needed, how to prepare, what happens, recovery and risks.
What Is an Upper GI Endoscopy?
The endoscope is a soft, flexible tube with a light and a camera at its tip. It sends a magnified view of the lining of the upper digestive tract to a screen. Through a channel in the endoscope, the doctor can pass small instruments to take biopsies or carry out some treatments.
What an Upper GI Endoscopy Can Find and Treat
| It can help diagnose | Tests and treatments that may be done during the procedure, when needed |
| Inflammation of the food pipe from acid reflux (oesophagitis) and hiatus hernia | Biopsies to confirm a diagnosis |
| Gastritis and ulcers of the stomach or duodenum | Testing for H. pylori infection |
| H. pylori infection | Stopping bleeding from an ulcer or blood vessel |
| Narrowing of the food pipe (stricture) and Barrett's oesophagus | Stretching (dilatation) of a narrowed area |
| Coeliac disease and some causes of anaemia | Removal of a stuck food bolus or swallowed object |
| Swollen veins in the food pipe (varices), usually in liver disease | Banding of varices |
| Polyps and cancers of the food pipe or stomach | Removal of small polyps |
Related pages: Hiatus hernia fundoplication · Lower GI endoscopy
When an Upper GI Endoscopy May Be Needed
| Symptom or situation | Why it matters |
| Difficulty or pain while swallowing | Can be caused by a narrowing, inflammation or a growth |
| Vomiting blood, or black, tarry stools | Signs of bleeding in the upper digestive tract — often urgent |
| Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite | Needs investigation |
| Acidity or heartburn not settling with medicines | To check for damage to the food pipe or other causes |
| Unexplained anaemia, or persistent vomiting | To find the cause |
| New, persistent indigestion in older adults, or a family history of stomach cancer | To rule out a serious cause |
| Follow-up of a known condition, such as Barrett's oesophagus or an ulcer | Monitoring and checking healing |
Many endoscopies show only minor changes or a normal result, which helps rule out a serious cause and guide treatment.
Upper GI Endoscopy Procedure: Before, During and After
| Stage | What happens |
| Before | No food for about 6–8 hours; clear fluids are usually allowed until about 2 hours before, as advised; tell the team about all medicines, especially blood thinners and diabetes medicines; remove dentures; arrange for someone to take you home if sedation is planned |
| During | A throat spray numbs the throat, and/or sedation is given through a vein; you lie on your left side with a mouth guard; the endoscope is passed through the mouth; the test usually takes about 5–15 minutes |
| After | You rest until the sedation wears off; a mild sore throat or bloating is common for a short time; the findings are explained, and biopsy results follow later |
Will I Gag or Feel It?
The throat spray reduces the gag reflex, and sedation, when used, makes most people relaxed and drowsy. Some people feel brief gagging or pressure. You can breathe normally throughout the test.
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.
Risks and Possible Complications
Upper GI endoscopy is generally safe, but like any procedure it has risks. The doctor explains these before taking consent.
- Sore throat for a day or two
- Reaction to sedation, such as breathing or heart rhythm problems — uncommon
- Bleeding, usually minor, after a biopsy or polyp removal
- Chest discomfort or difficulty swallowing for a few days after banding or stretching
- A tear (perforation) of the food pipe, stomach or duodenum — rare, more likely after stretching a narrowed area, and may need surgery
- Breathing fluid into the lungs (aspiration) — uncommon
- Damage to teeth or dental work — rare
- A small abnormality being missed, or a repeat test being needed
When to Contact the Hospital After the Test
- Severe chest, neck or abdominal pain
- Vomiting blood, or black stools
- Fever
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
Upper GI Endoscopy Cost in Ahmedabad
- Diagnostic test only, or with treatment during the procedure
- Sedation
- Biopsies, H. pylori testing and histopathology
- Emergency or planned 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
Upper GI Endoscopy Doctor in Ahmedabad
Upper GI endoscopy is performed by a gastroenterologist or a surgeon trained in endoscopy. Usually a family physician first sees the patient and advises the test, and an upper GI endoscopy doctor in Ahmedabad then performs it and explains the findings. Different doctors may be involved:
| Doctor | Role in upper GI endoscopy |
| Family physician | First assessment of acidity, swallowing difficulty or anaemia; advises the test |
| Gastroenterologist | Performs the endoscopy and treats conditions found, such as ulcers or H. pylori infection |
| Surgeon trained in endoscopy | Performs the endoscopy, and advises surgery when needed, for example for a hiatus hernia |
| Anaesthetist | Gives or supervises sedation in selected patients |
| Pathologist | Examines biopsies and reports the results |
Before the test, it helps to ask:
- Why is the test needed in my case?
- Will I have a throat spray, sedation or both?
- Should any of my medicines, such as blood thinners or diabetes medicines, be changed before the test?
- Will biopsies or H. pylori testing be done?
- If bleeding, a narrowing or a polyp is found, can it be treated during the same procedure?
- When will the results be ready, and who will explain them?
- What does the estimate include, and is the test covered by my insurance policy?
Upper GI Endoscopy Hospital in Ahmedabad
Upper GI endoscopy is a short test, but it needs a properly equipped setting so that sedation is safe, findings are confirmed and complications are handled promptly. When choosing an upper GI endoscopy treatment hospital in Ahmedabad, these facilities matter most:
| Facility | Why it matters |
| Endoscopy setup with proper cleaning and disinfection of endoscopes | Clear views and prevention of infection between patients |
| Sedation with monitoring of oxygen, pulse and blood pressure | Sedation can affect breathing and heart rhythm |
| Recovery area | Patients rest and are observed until sedation wears off |
| Equipment for treatments during the test | Allows bleeding to be stopped, narrowings stretched or stuck objects removed when needed |
| Histopathology services | Biopsies confirm conditions such as H. pylori infection, Barrett's oesophagus or cancer |
| Emergency and surgical support | Bleeding or a tear, though uncommon, may need urgent treatment |
The facilities available at Tirtham Surgical Hospital are listed further below on this page.
Treating Surgeon
At Tirtham Surgical Hospital, upper 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 |
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 an upper GI endoscopy doctor in Ahmedabad?+
Is an upper GI endoscopy painful?+
How do I prepare for the test?+
Can biopsies or treatments be done during the endoscopy?+
Can I drive home after the test?+
When will I get the results?+
What facilities should an upper GI endoscopy hospital in Ahmedabad have?+
What decides the cost of an upper GI endoscopy?+
Is upper GI endoscopy covered by health insurance?+
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
Next step
Plan your procedure
Share your reports on WhatsApp for a guided opinion, or visit us on Science City Road for an in-person examination.
