For prospective bariatric surgery patients, Tristate NYBG is already a renowned and nationally-recognized choice. This is further enhanced with our state of the art in-house endoscopy suite. This allows us to offer you superior service, and a number of great benefits.
Here, you’ll be able to learn more our AAAASF and state certified endoscopy suite, what upper GI endoscopy procedures are and why they’re utilized, and more.
Endoscopy procedures refer to any procedure which utilizes an endoscope. An endoscope is a thin, long and flexible camera which can be inserted into your body. This allows for imaging, evaluation and potentially treatment of numerous conditions and areas of the body which would otherwise be unable to be viewed.
Upper endoscopy procedures can also be known as gastric endoscopy, or upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy. An upper GI endoscopy will allow imaging and evaluation of your upper gastrointestinal track, which includes the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, the first part of your small intestine. An upper endoscopy will require sedation, after which the endoscope is orally inserted, and then gently fed further down your throat.
Bariatric patients may have several reasons to have an upper endoscopy procedure performed. Prior to your procedure, you’ll need to be evaluated for dangerous health conditions such as tumors, bacterial infections, acid reflux disease, and hiatal hernias. If you’ve already had a procedure and are experiencing symptoms such as severe abdominal pain or vomiting, acid reflux, decreased weight loss, or no feelings of fullness, then an endoscopy will be performed for evaluation.
It can also be utilized to dilate a stricture of the connection between the small intestine and stomach pouch for patients who have already had a gastric bypass procedure performed. Finally, patients who are considering a revisional procedure will also be evaluated via endoscope. This allows examination of the initial procedure performed and determines potential revisional options.
The most common reason to undergo a colonoscopy will be to screen for and treat colorectal cancer, found in either the colon or rectum. Colonoscopy procedures can also be used to evaluate and manage inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Sedation will be administered prior to this procedure.
In the case of colorectal cancer, pre-cancerous and cancerous growths can be found, biopsied and also removed. Patients who have colorectal cancer treated at an early stage return to full health at an 80 to 90% rate. However, this drops to 50% when colorectal cancer isn’t caught until a later stage.
This adds importance to timely, regular colonoscopy procedures. Overall, 90% of cases occur in adults over the age of 40. For adults of average risk, regular screenings are recommended beginning at age 50.
For adults with higher risk due to family history and personal medical history, earlier, more frequent screenings will be recommended. The overall lifetime risk to develop colorectal cancer is approximately 5%, or 1 in 20 individuals.
Endoscopy can be used as a general term for any procedure involving an endoscope. Therefore, both colonoscopy and laparoscopy procedures are actually in the field of endoscopy.
However, the upper GI endoscopy is a specific procedure, described above. Here, the endoscope is inserted through your mouth to allow for evaluation of the upper gastrointestinal track, including the small intestine (duodenum).
Colonoscopy procedures involve inserting the endoscope through the rectum to evaluate the large intestine and the colon.
Laparoscopy is a type of surgery also known as keyhole surgery. Here, small incisions are made in the abdomen, allowing for the insertion of the camera and surgical tools. Today, the leading types of bariatric surgery are performed with laparoscopic surgical techniques.
Tristate NYBG has also helped to develop the innovative SILS technique, Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery. Available both for the lap-band and for sleeve gastrectomy, SILS offers virtually scarless results, and reduced recovery time and pain.
Your surgeon will provide you with specifics on what to expect with your procedure, and any potential risks. However, there are also general guidelines which can be shared. For instance, you will likely need to avoid food and drink for 6-8 hours prior to your procedure. If you’re undergoing a colonoscopy, you’ll need to utilize a laxative prep and/or an enema prior to your procedure to clear out your colon.
The usage of anesthesia is required and will be administered by our board certified anesthesiologist. Endoscopy procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, which means you do not need to spend any nights in the hospital.
Risks of complication are minimal, but may include punctures, perforations, infections, and internal bleeding. Mild side effects may include bloating, gas and sore throats.
Tristate NYBG offers our patients a number of advantages. This begins with our highly skilled and experienced team, including five of the country’s most renowned surgeons. We also offer patients a comprehensive bariatric program which helps to produce superior long-term weight loss results.
Additionally, we are the only local bariatric clinic to have an in-house AAAASF certified endoscopy suite. What this means for you is more convenient and efficient service, as well as quick diagnosis and treatment of post-surgical issues. Further, as opposed to general gastroenterologists who may not be familiar with the anatomy and needs of bariatric patients, here, you can depend on the great experience of our bariatric team.
Tristate NYBG is here to help you on the road to weight loss success, and the time to take action is today. Call us at 800.633.8446 for more information on our AAAASF certified endoscopy suite, or to schedule an initial appointment for bariatric surgery in Connecticut.
If you are ready to lose weight, you have many options at our Tristate Bariatric Group. We combine surgical expertise, patience, compassion, and the confidence to lead you through the journey to successful weight loss.
