Gastroscopy is done to examine the insides of the stomach and digestive tract. It can help diagnose conditions like acid reflux, stomach ulcers, and inflammation.
It is also a common test in Singapore. Read more. If you have visited a gastroscopy clinic in Singapore or you’re planning to visit one, you must have read or been told that you should have someone to accompany you on your way home after the procedure.
In fact, it is even recommended that you have someone who can assist you and keep a watchful eye overnight. If you’re one of the curious types you may wonder; what would happen if you go home alone after your gastroscopy?
Quick answer, this isn’t a good idea. Most gastroscopy procedures require sedation. This medication makes you feel relaxed and sleepy.
Even though you may feel awake after the procedure, the effects of sedation can linger. This can affect your judgment, coordination, and reaction time.
On this page, we explain what happens during a gastroscopy, and what could go wrong if you ignore the medical advice and go home alone after gastroscopy. Let’s begin!
A gastroscopy is done using a thin, flexible tube with a camera at the end. The doctor inserts this tube through your mouth into your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.
The procedure is usually quick. It takes about 15 to 30 minutes. However, preparation and recovery time can extend your stay at the clinic.
Many patients receive sedation before the procedure. This helps reduce discomfort and makes the experience easier. Sedation does not make you fully unconscious.
What it does is to relax you and this may cause temporary memory loss. After the gastroscopy, you will rest for some time until you feel alert.
Some patients believe they can leave immediately. However, even if you feel fine, the sedative may still be in your system. This can cause delayed reactions and impair your ability to function normally.
Sedation helps you stay comfortable during a gastroscopy. However, its effects do not wear off immediately.
The medication slows brain activity, which affects coordination, memory, and reaction time. Even if you feel normal, you may still be experiencing:
These side effects can last for several hours. For some people, the effects may persist until the next day.
This makes tasks like walking alone, crossing roads, or using public transport unsafe. One of the biggest risks is falling or fainting.
And you do not want any of that to happen when you’re alone. A slight loss of balance can result in a serious injury.
You might not even realize how much sedation is affecting you until it is too late. That is why doctors strongly advise against leaving alone.
Even if you feel fine at the clinic, it is safer to have someone accompany you home. Real quick, here’s what could go wrong if you leave alone after gastroscopy;
Up to that point, you’re probably wondering; what if you do not receive sedation? Or, are there any exceptions when you can go home alone after a gastroscopy?
Now, in some cases, patients you may be able to leave alone if you did not receive sedation. If the procedure was done using only a numbing spray, the effects should wear off quickly.
However, even in these cases, doctors still advise against leaving alone. You may feel fine initially but develop side effects later.
Fatigue, throat discomfort, or stomach cramps can appear unexpectedly. Some clinics also have policies that prevent solo discharge.
Even if you insist that you are okay, they may require a friend or family member to accompany you. This policy exists to protect you from harm.
If you have no one to accompany you, check with your gastroscopy clinic in Singapore beforehand. Some even offer medical transport services for added safety. With that out of the way, if you have a gastroscopy appointment, here’s how you can plan ahead to ensure everything goes smoothly;
Arrange for someone to pick you up. This can be a trusted friend or family member who is free and can accompany you home.
If no one is available, ask if you can rest at the clinic for a longer period. Alternatively, if no one can pick you up, get a taxi.
Tell the driver you had a medical procedure and may need help. And when you get home, please rest, avoid strenuous activity, and monitor for any unusual symptoms.
Gastroscopy is generally safe and also one of the most common diagnostic procedures in Singapore. In fact, many patients who visit our gastroscopy clinic in Singapore are able to recover without any issues.
However, it should be noted that there are specific symptoms that require immediate medical attention. Normal side effects include mild throat irritation and slight bloating. These should go away within a day.
Seek medical attention after gastroscopy if you experience:
Gastroscopy is a safe procedure, but the effects of sedation can linger. You do not want to go home alone after the procedure as this puts you at risk of falls, accidents, and other complications.
As a basic rule of thumb, be sure to have someone accompany you home. If that is not possible, consider a medical transport service.
Your health and safety should always come first. If you need a gastroscopy in Singapore, choose a clinic that prioritizes patient care.
Plan ahead and ensure you have the right support for a smooth recovery. Book an appointment today and ask about the safest discharge options for you. See details below;
Gastrohealth Clinic @ Gleneagles - Dr Bhavesh Doshi | Gastroscopy | Colonoscopy | Health Screening | EUS and ERCP Singapore
6A Napier Rd, #05-35C Gleneagles Hospital Annexe Block, Singapore 258500
Phone: +65 6355 5773