Gastroscopy prep questions and answers

Start 7 days before. IMPORTANT: Please commence your admission process by registering at: https://www.sjog.org.au/patients-and-visitors/my-admission. If you need assistance with the admission process, please call St Johns on 1300 863 566. Read your instructions through, confirm your medications with the clinic, and arrange a responsible adult to take you home.

No. A gastroscopy looks at your oesophagus, stomach and the first part of the small bowel, so the stomach only needs to be empty. There is no bowel preparation, no sachets to buy and no low-fibre diet — eat normally until your fasting window begins.

Yes. You will be sedated, so you must have a responsible adult to collect you and stay with you for the rest of the day. You cannot drive, ride, use public transport alone, sign legal documents or drink alcohol for 24 hours afterwards.

It depends on your admission time. For a morning admission, have nothing to eat from 12:00 midnight — water only after that. For an afternoon admission, you may have a light breakfast, finished by 7:00am, then water only. Water is allowed until 2 hours before your admission time, and nothing at all in the last 2 hours apart from a sip of water with approved medicines.

From your admission time. Your procedure may start later than your admission, but the fasting window is always counted back from the time you are asked to arrive.

Milk, cream and smoothies coat the stomach lining and empty slowly, which blurs the camera view and can mean the procedure is postponed. Black tea and black coffee are fine within the clear-fluid window.

No. Gum and mints stimulate saliva and stomach juices, and smoking or vaping on the morning of the procedure can do the same. Avoid all of them once your fasting window starts.

Ring the clinic on (08) 6389 0631 before you travel in. Sedation with food in the stomach is not safe, so the team will tell you whether your admission time can be moved or the procedure needs rescheduling. Do not simply arrive and hope for the best.

Yes. Semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide slow stomach emptying, so food can still be present at the time of sedation. On top of the standard fasting window, the clinic usually asks for clear liquids only for the 24 hours before admission. Ring us on (08) 6389 0631 at least 7 days before so we can confirm the exact plan for you.

Never stop or delay an injection on your own. Tell the clinic which medicine you take, your dose, and the date of your last injection, and follow the plan your care team gives you.

Anything you can see through: water, clear broth, clear juice without pulp, black tea or coffee, plain jelly and ice blocks. No milk, no pulp, no smoothies or protein shakes, and no solid food. Clear fluids still stop 2 hours before your admission time.

Never stop a blood thinner without advice. List your blood-thinning medications when you sign up and confirm the plan with the clinic at least 7 days before, so your doctor can tell you whether to pause, adjust or continue them.

Diabetes medication usually needs adjusting while you are fasting. Tell the clinic which medications and doses you take at least 7 days before, and follow the plan your care team gives you. Bring your glucose monitor and a hypo treatment on the day.

Yes. If biopsies are being taken to check for Coeliac disease, you must keep eating gluten in the lead-up (a gluten challenge) so the test is accurate. Tick the Coeliac testing option in the app and your guides will include the gluten-challenge advice.

Most regular medications can be taken with a small sip of water on the morning of your procedure, unless your doctor has told you otherwise. Bring a current list of everything you take, including supplements, to your admission.

Clear fluids stop 2 hours before your admission time. The fasting guide in the app shows your cut-off based on the arrival time you enter.

Photo identification, your Medicare Card and Health Insurance Details, a current medication list, your admission paperwork, and comfortable clothing. Leave valuables at home and arrange your ride home before you arrive.

The gastroscopy itself usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. With admission, sedation and recovery, plan to be at the hospital for around 2 to 3 hours. A mildly sore throat or some bloating afterwards is common and settles quickly.

Your doctor will usually give you an initial summary before you go home. Biopsy or pathology results take a little longer and are discussed at your follow-up appointment.