GI Procedures

Understand what an upper GI endoscopy is, why one may be performed and what your doctor will look for during this procedure.

Understand how to properly prepare for your upper GI endoscopy and what you can expect the day of your procedure. Learn what your doctor can do if any abnormalities are noticed.

Understand what to expect following your upper GI endoscopy including any restrictions you may have, minor side effects, and possible but rare complications.

This is an exam of your digestive tract. It's done with a tiny camera capsule you swallow. This exam is often used to see inside the small intestine, because that's hard to reach with other types of scopes.

ERCP stands for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. ERCP is used to diagnose and treat problems in your liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas. All of these organs help with digestion.

This procedure lets a doctor see and fix some problems of the pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts. It's done with a special camera we call an "endoscope."

An esophageal dilation is a procedure used to widen a narrowed section of your esophagus. This is the tube that leads from your throat to your stomach.

Upper GI endoscopy is a test that looks inside your upper GI tract. During the test, a biopsy or tissue sample is sometimes taken and studied for problems.

Push enteroscopy is a procedure that uses a long, flexible tube to check your upper small intestine. Learn how to get ready for the procedure, and what to expect.

Esophageal manometry is a test to measure the strength and function of the esophagus. Here's what you can expect when having the test.

An upper GI test will help find if you have a problem in your esophagus, stomach, or intestines that is causing your symptoms. Follow these instructions to prepare for the test.

Watch this to learn answers to common colonoscopy concerns.

Learn general guidelines for properly preparing for your colonoscopy on the days leading up to the procedure. This will allow your doctor to see the lining of the colon clearly and will help make your colonoscopy go as smoothly as possible.

Understand what to expect on the day of your colonoscopy, how the procedure will be performed and possible risks that are involved. If any abnormalities are seen, learn what your doctor may do to treat them.

Understand what to expect during your recovery following your colonoscopy including how you may feel, restrictions you may have, minor side effects, and possible complications to be aware of.

Learn how colorectal cancer can develop, who should undergo screening as well as options available for screening. Understand treatment is most effective when through regular screenings, pre-cancerous polyps, or cancer, is detected in the earliest stages.

Learn about home screening tests used to check for colorectal cancer. You will be introduced to the two types of fecal occult blood tests; the guaiac fecal occult blood test and the fecal immunochemical test, as well as a stool DNA test.

Learn about several screening procedures your doctor may recommend to check for colorectal cancer.

Learn common preparation instructions you may be asked to follow prior to your colorectal screening procedure, and recognize the importance of following them.

Get regular screenings for colorectal cancer. It's the best way to protect yourself from the disease.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a common procedure. It is used to check the health of the lower part of the colon. It can show your doctor what's causing problems with your bowel movements, or causing bloody stool, belly pain, or weight loss. This video will show you how it's done.

Colonoscopy is used to view the inside of your lower digestive tract (colon and rectum). It can help screen for colon cancer and can help find the source of abdominal pain, bleeding, and changes in bowel habits.

You've had painful attacks caused by gallstones. To treat the problem, your healthcare provider wants to remove your gallbladder. This surgery is called cholecystectomy.

In colon resection, a part of the colon is taken out (resected) during surgery. The most common types of colorectal resection are listed here.

You've had painful attacks caused by gallstones. Because of this, you are having surgery to remove your gallbladder. This is called cholecystectomy. A method called laparoscopy will be used. This allows surgery to be done through a few small incisions.

During an ileostomy, healthcare providers either remove or disconnect your colon (large intestine), and sometimes part of the last section of your ileum (last section of your small intestine).

During colorectal surgery, parts of the colon or rectum are surgically removed. Read on to learn what to expect before, during, and after the surgery.

A hernia is a bulge at a weak spot in the wall of the abdomen. Tissue or organs may press into the weak spot. This may cause symptoms of discomfort or pain. If left untreated, a hernia can get worse and may lead to serious problems. Surgery can be done to repair a hernia.

The appearance of blood in the stool depends on where in the gastrointestinal tract the bleeding is coming from. Blood from the lower part of the GI tract is usually bright red.