After a gastroscopy
Gastroscopy
Getting your results
While you’re in the discharge lounge, a nurse will explain what happened during your procedure and what you need to do next. You’ll get a paper copy of the gastroscopy report. We’ll also send a digital copy to you on MyChart and to your GP.
If you had sedation, you might not be able to remember the details of your conversation with the nurse. Our endoscopy nurses can explain your endoscopy report again if you contact us.
Biopsy results
If we took a tissue sample (biopsy) during the gastroscopy, we’ll need to send it for testing. It can take up to 8 weeks to get your biopsy results. We’ll send the results to you and your GP. If you have not received your results after 8 weeks, contact us.
Leaving hospital
If you had local anaesthetic spray
You can leave hospital by yourself and go back to your normal activities straight away.
If you had sedation
You must get an adult to pick you up from hospital. They should stay with you for 24 hours after the gastroscopy.
Sedation lasts longer than you might think.
For 24 hours after the procedure, don’t:
- do not drive or ride a bicycle
- do not use any machinery
- do not do anything that needs skill or judgement
- do not drink alcohol
- do not take sleeping tablets
- do not go to work
- do not make any important decisions, sign contracts or legal documents
After 24 hours, you can go back to your normal activities.
Eating and drinking
Do not eat or drink anything for 30 to 45 minutes after the procedure. This is because the local anaesthetic or sedation makes it hard for you to swallow. You can eat and drink once you can swallow normally again.
Managing pain
You might have a sore throat after a gastroscopy. This usually gets better within 2 days.
If your throat is sore, you can:
- use throat lozenges
- take painkillers, like paracetamol
You might also feel bloated or have some pain in your stomach area. This is usually because we put some air into your stomach during the gastroscopy. This usually gets better within 24 hours.
If you feel bloated or have stomach pain, you can:
- try to fart
- move around to help settle the air in your stomach
- drink warm drinks like peppermint tea or peppermint water – you can buy this at your local pharmacy
When to get help
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
- you have severe pain in your stomach
- you have a high temperature that is 37.5C or above
- you’ve been sick (vomited)
- your poo is black
Bring your gastroscopy report with you.
Go to A&E or call 999 if:
- you cannot stop being sick (vomiting)
- your severe stomach pain is getting worse and will not go away
- there's a lot of blood – for example, the toilet water turns red or you see large blood clots
Bring your gastroscopy report with you.
Follow-up appointment
We do not arrange follow-up appointments. If you need one, the doctor who referred you for a gastroscopy will contact you.
Useful information
Guts UK is a charity that shares information about problems with the digestive system or gut. Visit their website for more helpful information.
Resource number: 4846/VER4
Last reviewed: April 2026
Next review due: April 2029
