Community Health Network

Home > Center for Digestive Care > The day of your procedure

The day of your procedure

Before the procedure

In an effort to keep on schedule, we request that you arrive at the Community Center for Digestive Care promptly at your designated check-in time. We value your time and realize how important it is. We make every attempt to stay on schedule, but occasionally a procedure takes longer than expected so please be patient with us.

On the day of your procedure, please plan to be at the Community Center for Digestive Care for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Although your procedure may only take minutes to perform, the actual time of your procedure is hard to predict due to anatomical differences of individuals. Following your procedure, you will need time to rest in the recovery room.

After the procedure

If you have been sedated, you will spend about 30 minutes to one hour in the recovery room following your procedure. As you wake up from the effects of the medication, our recovery room nursing staff will monitor your vital signs and level of consciousness.

Prior to your discharge, your physician will meet with you to discuss your test results and any necessary follow-up or treatment. As a result of the medication used for sedation, you may not have a clear recollection of your conversation with your physician. If you would like, we can also discuss the test results with a family member who is with you.

The nursing staff will provide you with detailed written instructions regarding your follow-up care. This includes information about diagnosis, medications, discomfort, bleeding, diet and information about follow-up appointments with the physician as needed.

Your transportation home

Prior to your procedure, you will receive a sedative injection to minimize any discomfort. As this medication will make you drowsy and affect your reflexes for several hours, you cannot safely drive a car for the remainder of the day. To drive a car with the sedative medication still in your system is illegal and considered driving under the influence of drugs. This is a punishable DUI offense.

A responsible party must accompany you to the center to drive you home. If possible, you should choose someone with whom your physician can discuss the results of your test. We request that your driver remain at the Community Center for Digestive Care during your stay.