What to Expect
Please notify the Center (718-548-7900) if you answer “Yes” to any of the following questions prior to preparing for the Procedure. There may be a possibility that the procedure cannot be done at the Center.
- Have you had a Heart Attack or Stroke within the last three months? (Myocardial Infarction, TIA or CIA)
- Are you currently on medication for an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) or chest pain taking nitroglycerin?
- Do you see a Heart Doctor (Cardiologist) on a regular basis, for example weekly, monthly or every six months?
- Do you have a pacemaker or defibrillator implanted in your body?
- Are you more than 100 pounds overweight?
- Do you have trouble breathing when you take 2 flights of stairs?
- Do you have oxygen at home in case you need it?
- Are you on dialysis? (You have a shunt in your arm and you go for treatments on a regular basis)
- Have you been hospitalized for any illness or major surgery involving your heart, lungs, kidney or head within the past three months?
- Are you seeing a physician for any problems with your blood or blood count?
- Have you or any family members been told that you had problems with your anesthesia when put asleep for a surgery or procedure?
Prior to Your Procedure:
Leave all jewelry and valuables at home. This does not mean your insurance card or your eyeglasses. The endoscopy center cannot take responsibility for safeguarding your personal items.
Make arrangements for someone to drive you home . Your escort must remain onsite. Your escort will need to be available to hear the discharge instructions and drive you home. A pharmacy with snacks and beverages is located in the building as well as vending machines. Please limit the number of persons accompanying you to a maximum of two. Only one person will be allowed in the recovery room with you.
Please make arrangements for childcare in advance . The endoscopy center reception area and recovery room area are not designed to accommodate small children.
If you have any questions regarding your medication prior to the procedure, please contact your physician’s office.
Please check in at the reception desk one hour before your procedure is scheduled to begin.
Bring your insurance card(s).
Bring your medication(s) or list of the medication(s) and dosages you are currently taking.
It is very important for us to know if you have any allergies; especially an allergy to rubber (latex)
If you have sleep apnea and use a C-PAP machine, please bring it with you if you are scheduled for a colonoscopy.
Patients with a pacemaker defibrillator cannot have the procedure at the Center.
After Your Procedure
Average Recovery Time is 30-45 minutes for most procedures.
Your escort will need to come into the recovery room to listen to your discharge instructions, sign the written instructions and escort you home.
We would prefer your driver to stay in the immediate area during your procedure.
It would be best if someone could stay with you at home or check on you following your procedure.
Patients will remain in the recovery area until they are ready for discharge.
You may not take a bus or taxi home.