What Can I Expect on the Day of the EGD?
To prepare you for the exam, a healthcare professional will first make sure that you have an IV. You will be given medications and sometimes fluid through your IV to help relax and comfort you during the procedure.
Patches may be applied to the skin of your chest, arms, or legs for an electrocardiogram (or EKG). An EKG records the electrical activity of your heart.
An automatic
blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm, and a pulse oximeter, which checks oxygen levels in your blood, will be taped to your finger.
From the table in the procedure room, you may see several pieces of equipment, including a television screen and tables of instruments. During this time, you may also hear noises, such as loud, high- and low-pitched beeps. These are normal and are no cause for concern.
Your doctor will usually be available to answer any last-minute questions that you may have.