Eating and fasting before your gastroscopy
A gastroscopy needs an empty stomach, not a bowel cleanout. Eat normally until your fasting window begins, then follow the timings below.
Your fasting window
Counted back from your admission time, not the procedure time
A gastroscopy only needs an empty stomach. There is no bowel preparation and no special diet in the days before — eat normally until the fasting window starts.
Fast from 12:00 midnight
Nothing to eat from midnight — no food, milk, milky drinks, chewing gum or lollies. Water only after that.
Light breakfast, then fast from 7:00am
You may have a light breakfast, finished by 7:00am. Nothing to eat after that — water only.
Nothing at all
Water is allowed until 2 hours before your admission time, then stop all fluids apart from a sip of water with approved medicines.
What to do
Complete these steps unless your doctor gave you different instructions.
Stop water 2 hours before arrival
Water is allowed up until 2 hours before your admission time, then nothing at all. This reduces the risk of aspiration during sedation. A small sip of water with approved medications is usually allowed.
Take only approved medications
Take blood pressure, heart, or other medications your doctor told you to continue. Confirm blood thinners, diabetes medicines and weight-loss injections with the clinic at least 7 days before.
Arrange a ride home
You will receive sedation and cannot drive yourself. Arrange for a responsible adult to take you home. Public transport or rideshare alone is not recommended.
Confirm your appointment time
Double-check arrival time and location. Arrive on time with your Medicare card, health insurance details, a current medication list, and a ride home.
What to avoid
Avoid these common mistakes on the day of your procedure.
No solid food
Nothing to eat from midnight for a morning admission, or after 7:00am for an afternoon admission.
No milk or milky drinks
Milk coats the stomach lining and blurs the view.
No gum or mints
These stimulate saliva and stomach juices.
No smoking or vaping
Avoid these on the morning of the procedure.
No alcohol
Avoid alcohol the night before and the day of.
No driving after sedation
Plan transport in advance.
What to bring
Identification
Medicare card and health insurance details
Medication list
A current list with dosages
Comfort items
Loose clothing and a light jacket
Support person
Someone to drive you home
Questions
A written list for your doctor
Payment
Any out-of-pocket payment method if required
When to call your doctor
Contact your care team if you are vomiting and cannot keep fluids down, have severe abdominal or chest pain, are vomiting blood, develop a fever, or feel severely weak or dizzy. These symptoms are uncommon, but it is important to get guidance.