A gastroscopy usually takes about 10 minutes. However, you should allow at least two hours for the whole appointment. This is to prepare, give time for the sedative to work (if you have one), for the gastroscopy itself and to recover. A gastroscopy may be quite uncomfortable but it does not usually hurt.

What does a gastroscopy feel like?

You may have a sore throat or a numb feeling in your mouth after a gastroscopy, caused by the anesthetic spray. Because the doctor may have pumped some air into your stomach in order to see more, you may feel full for a short while. Complications like bleeding and injury to organs are very rare.

How painful is a gastroscopy?

The doctor carrying out the procedure will place the endoscope in the back of your mouth and ask you to swallow the first part of the tube. It will then be guided down your oesophagus and into your stomach. The procedure shouldn't be painful, but it may be unpleasant or uncomfortable at times.