Gastrointestinal Clinic

You will experience the effects of sedation for 24 hours after your procedure. 

You may have slurred speech, fall asleep easily, be forgetful and lack coordination. You may also experience cramping, gas or feel full in your abdomen. This is normal. 

While recovering from sedation, you should not:

• Drive a car, bike or other vehicle
• Travel alone
• Use power tools or heavy machinery
• Make important decisions or sign legal papers
• Drink alcohol, smoke or take recreational drugs
• Take sleeping pills or medication

We recommend a responsible adult stay with you for the first 24 hours.

You should start drinking fluids when you return home to avoid dehydration.

Depending on your procedure, you may be on a clear fluid diet for 24 hours after the procedure. 

If you are not on a clear fluid diet, your first meal should be on the light side. It should be about half of a normal meal and not include fatty or spicy foods. You can resume your regular diet during your second meal.

You should start taking your prescribed medication as soon as you return home. You may also resume taking blood thinners, according to the gastroenterologist’s instructions.

However, do not take herbal or alternative medicines for one week after your procedure.

If you experience any of the following signs, please go to your nearest emergency department.

• Chest pain or difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Pain in the abdomen or stomach that is not relieved by over-the-counter painkillers 
• Nausea or vomiting that prevents you from eating or drinking for 24 hours
• Vomiting blood or contents that look like coffee grounds
• Bowel movements that have a large amount of blood or are black (if this is new for you)
• Fever or chills