Endoscopy/Colonoscopy | Specialists in General Surgery

About Upper Endoscopy / Colonoscopy Procedures

Upper endoscopy procedures are used to diagnose a variety of conditions in your esophagus, stomach and upper intestine. They also can be used to stop bleeding in your esophagus, remove a polyp or widen an area of your esophagus that has narrowed. You may also hear an endoscopy referred to as an esphago-gastro-duodenoscopy, or EGD. A colonoscopy is used to diagnose conditions in your lower intestine, or colon.

Preparing For Your Procedure

If you are having an upper endoscopy, colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, you will be asked to refrain from eating and drinking for several hours before your procedure. You also will need to arrange for someone to drive you home and to stay with you after the procedure, as you will be sedated during the endoscopy to keep you comfortable and sleepy. If you are having a colonoscopy, your physician may ask you to conduct a colon prep before the procedure. Read the colon preparation guide here.

Conditions diagnosed or treated by these procedures:

Upper Endoscopy

Barrett’s esophagus
Bile duct diseases
Cancers of the pancreas, liver, and esophagus
Celiac disease
Gastric ulcer
Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Swallowing disorders

Lower Endoscopy (Colonoscopy)

Abdominal pain
Cancer of the colon or rectum
Colon polyps
Crohn’s disease
Diarrhea and constipation
Diverticulosis and diverticulitis
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Ulcerative colitis

Procedure Locations

We perform endoscopies at the following locations:

North Memorial Medical Center
Maple Grove Hospital
North Memorial Ambulatory Surgery Center Maple Grove
Minnetonka Ambulatory Surgery Center
North Metro Surgery Center
Buffalo Hospital
CentraCare Health – Monticello

What to expect after the procedure

You will be monitored for a short time after your procedure until you feel less groggy and can drink a small amount of liquids. You may remember portions of your procedure, but many patients do not. It is important to have a responsible adult drive you home and stay with you until you feel back to normal. You may be sleepy for most of the day, and you may find yourself burping more than usual for a few hours. This is normal.

You will be provided a list of symptoms to watch for and a number to call if you have questions or concerns. You should not drive or operate machinery on the day of your procedure, but you may return to work the next day. Return to a normal diet slowly, depending on how you are feeling. You may have a small amount of bloating, but if you have sudden or uncontrolled chest or abdominal pain, please call our office. Check with your physician to see if you need to schedule a follow-up visit. We will discuss the results of your procedure with you and forward a copy to your primary care physician, if appropriate. If any biopsies are taken, we will call you with the results in a few business days.

Surgeons Who Perform Upper Endoscopy / Colonoscopy

Adrianne L. Bowen, MD, MBA, FACS

SPECIAL MEDICAL INTERESTS:

Breast cancer
High-risk breast disease
Benign breast disease
Endoscopy
Minimally invasive laparoscopic/robotic general surgery

Munyaradzi Chimukangara, MD, FACS

SPECIAL MEDICAL INTERESTS:

Advanced laparoscopy
Robotic assisted surgery
Reflux disease/GERD
Paraesophageal hernia
Hiatal hernia
Gallbladder surgery
Weight loss (bariatric) surgery
GI surgery
Abdominal wall hernias
Groin hernias
Upper endoscopy

Jonathan C. Gipson, MD, FACS

Special Medical Interests:

Gastrointestinal surgery
Pancreas and foregut (esophagus and stomach) cancer surgery
Complex laparoscopic and robotic surgical procedures, including gastric bypass, gastric sleeve and hiatal hernia
Emergency surgical procedures
Surgical management of trauma