Overview
A direct look at the upper GI tract.
Upper endoscopy — also called EGD, short for esophagogastroduodenoscopy — is the most accurate way to evaluate the esophagus, stomach, and first portion of the small intestine. Through a thin, flexible scope with a high-definition camera, we can see exactly what is causing reflux, pain, bleeding, swallowing trouble, or weight loss. The scope also lets us take painless biopsies, dilate narrowings, stop bleeding ulcers, remove small polyps, place pH probes, and treat Barrett's esophagus during the same visit.
For our surgical patients, EGD is also a key planning tool before operations on the esophagus and stomach — hiatal hernia repair, anti-reflux surgery, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and gastric or esophageal cancer surgery all start with a careful endoscopy. Dr. Shaw and Dr. Decio perform their own scopes in our affiliated hospitals' endoscopy suites — meaning the surgeon who reviews your anatomy on the screen is the same surgeon who will plan and perform your operation.
Who is a candidate?
Most adults with persistent upper-GI symptoms — heartburn unresponsive to medication, trouble swallowing, unexplained nausea, blood in vomit or stool, or unintentional weight loss — are candidates for upper endoscopy. We also routinely scope patients before foregut surgery (hiatal hernia, anti-reflux, achalasia, esophagectomy) and before bariatric surgery, to map anatomy and rule out cancer or other findings that would change the plan. Patients on blood thinners or with significant cardiopulmonary disease need a brief pre-op review to plan safely.
How we perform it
You arrive at the endoscopy suite having not eaten since midnight. An IV is placed, and the anesthesia team gives sedation — typically propofol — so you are comfortably asleep through the procedure. A small mouth-guard protects your teeth. The surgeon advances the scope through the mouth, down the esophagus, into the stomach, and through the pylorus into the duodenum, carefully examining every surface. Biopsies are taken painlessly with tiny forceps passed through the scope. The whole procedure usually takes 10–20 minutes; you wake up in recovery within minutes.
Recovery
Most patients are home within 2–3 hours of arrival. You may have a mild sore throat for a day. Eating and drinking can usually resume within an hour of waking up, starting with sips of water and progressing to a normal diet. Because of the sedation, you cannot drive yourself home, work, or sign important documents for the rest of the day. Biopsy results typically come back in 5–7 days, and we call you with the findings; a follow-up appointment is scheduled if any treatment decision needs to be made together.
Why Florida Surgical
An EGD is most valuable when it directly informs a surgical decision. Dr. Shaw and Dr. Decio perform their own scopes, which means the surgeon who looks at your esophagus is the same one who will plan your operation if surgery is needed. We coordinate scopes with motility studies, manometry, and Bravo pH probes when reflux work-up is required. For our bariatric patients, the pre-op scope is part of one cohesive plan, not a referral to a separate gastroenterologist. Endoscopy is performed at all five of our South Florida hospital affiliations.
Frequently asked questions
Will I be asleep during the EGD?
For most patients, yes. We use anesthesia-delivered sedation (typically propofol) so you sleep through the procedure and wake comfortably with no memory of it. The sedation is short-acting and wears off quickly.
How long does the procedure take?
The scope itself takes 10–20 minutes. Including check-in, IV placement, sedation, the procedure, recovery, and discharge, plan to be at the facility for 2–3 hours total.
Can I eat or drink before the EGD?
No solids or liquids after midnight the night before. Critical morning medications — like seizure or heart medications — can be taken with a sip of water. We provide specific instructions about diabetes medications and blood thinners individually.
Will I need a ride home?
Yes. Sedation affects judgment and reflexes for the rest of the day. You cannot drive yourself home, return to work, exercise, or sign legal documents for 24 hours. Bring a responsible adult to take you home.
What can be treated during an EGD?
A great deal. We routinely dilate strictures, stop bleeding ulcers, remove small polyps, take biopsies, place Bravo pH probes, and treat Barrett's esophagus — all during the same scope. If we find something that needs surgery, we use the endoscopy findings to plan the operation.