What to Expect

Prior to Surgery

• Talk to your doctor about any medications/vitamins/herbs you are taking as you may need to stop certain ones before surgery.

• Stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), Clopidogrel (Plavix), warfarin (Coumadin), and other blood thinners one week prior to surgery.

• Discontinue any diet medications or St. John's Wort two weeks before surgery.

• Discuss any possible bleeding disorders or other medical conditions that you may have

• The day before surgery, do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the surgery.
• Do not smoke. This will help you to recover quicker.

On the Day of the Surgery

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the surgery.
• Take the drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.
• Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.

After Surgery

• Endoscopic ultrasound - with or without fine needle aspiration - is an outpatient procedure, so you will be released once you are awake and comfortable.
• Expect some hoarseness, numbness and minor soreness in the throat during the first day.
• Patients are recommended to eat a light meal of soft foods and/or liquids for the first day after the procedure

Recovery: what to expect in the next few days

Most patients will be fully recovered within 24 to 48 hours and can resume some normal activities. If you have had any biopsies, refrain from any heavy lifting pushing or pulling until it is approved by the surgeon.

Endoscpic Ultrasound Q&A

What does the procedure involve?

Patients are lightly sedated and the throat is sprayed with a numbing agent. The physician will run a flexible tube through the patient’s mouth, down the esophagus and into the abdomen. The ultrasound wand will send high-quality images onto a monitor for evaluation.

By moving this sensitive wand inside the body instead of outside of the body as done in traditional ultrasound, the physician gets a very clear view of the internal organs. Any growths or abnormalities noted can be biopsied using a very fine needle. Fluid and cysts causing discomfort may also be drained.

How long do I stay in the hospital?

This is an outpatient procedure, and patients are released once they are fully awake.

What is the recovery time?

Most patients are fully recovered within 24 to 48 hours.

What reasons would the surgeon have to perform an open surgery instead of a minimally invasive procedure?

The surgeon may recommend an exploratory surgery if a tube cannot be run down the patient’s throat due to scar tissue or blockage. If a tumor is too large to remove using minimally invasive techniques, then the surgeon will recommend an open procedure.

Make an Appointment

If you or someone you care for is experiencing worrisome symptoms, we encourage you to make an appointment with one of our pediatric gastroenterologists, adult gastroenterologists or colorectal surgeons.