At Montserrat Medical Services, your comfort and peace of mind are paramount. With over two decades of experience, our skilled gastroenterologists and general surgeons perform endoscopy procedures to help diagnose, treat and accurately manage your gastrointestinal health. Each year, we perform more than 10,000 gastroenterology procedures in several of Queensland’s contemporary short-stay hospitals, focused on patient safety and clinical excellence. Our commitment to continuity of care means that wherever possible, your consultations, preparations, procedures and follow-ups occur at the same familiar Montserrat location.
Endoscopy
What is An Endoscopy?
An endoscopy is a minimally invasive medical procedure that lets your doctor observe and treat conditions inside your body without major surgery. The procedure uses a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope, equipped with a tiny camera and light at its tip. The endoscope captures clear, real-time images of your internal organs and tissues, which are displayed on a monitor, providing a detailed view once it enters your digestive tract.
Because endoscopy involves inserting the endoscope through natural openings like your mouth or anus, there are no surgical incisions. This means faster recovery and minimal discomfort. There’s also less risk compared to traditional surgery.
Types of Endoscopy Procedures
Montserrat Medical Services performs a wide range of endoscopy procedures to handle various diagnostic and therapeutic needs:
- Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (gastroscopy): An upper endoscopy examines the upper digestive tract – including the oesophagus, stomach and first section of the small intestine – to catch conditions like ulcers, inflammation, tumours and more.
- Lower endoscopy (colonoscopy): A colonoscopy or lower endoscopy is a procedure used to investigate symptoms in the colon and rectum – essential for detecting colon polyps, bowel cancer or inflammatory conditions.
- Capsule endoscopy: A minimally invasive procedure where a pill-sized camera is used to visualise the small intestine. Helpful for diagnosing conditions like unexplained bleeding or Crohn’s disease.
- Other types of endoscopy: Specialised endoscopes are used to perform more detailed examinations and targeted treatments in parts of the body beyond the digestive system. Bronchoscopy, for example, examines the airways and lungs to diagnose respiratory conditions or remove foreign objects. Cystoscopy inspects the bladder and urinary tract to identify bladder issues and urinary disorders. Laparoscopy, which is performed through small incisions, can give insights into reproductive and abdominal organs (e.g. assisting in minimally invasive surgeries like appendix removal or reproductive health procedures).
Rapid Access Endoscopy
Montserrat provides Rapid Access Endoscopy, which is a streamlined service for essential endoscopic procedures. It’s helpful for eligible patients who need to bypass traditional initial consultations when medically appropriate, which greatly reduces waiting times.
Eligible patients can usually have their procedure scheduled within 14 days of booking, ensuring prompt care and peace of mind.
Patients experiencing urgent gastrointestinal symptoms, such as unexplained bleeding or persistent abdominal pain, benefit greatly from this expedited pathway. Our dedicated team works to understand your medical history and will schedule you in quickly while delivering expert care.
Why Choose Montserrat
When you choose Montserrat, you’re getting exceptional care delivered by compassionate and expert professionals. Our team comprises accredited specialists, and anaesthetists – all supported by advanced endoscopy technology from industry-leading providers such as Fuji Medical and Olympus Medical.
Our modern facilities and dedicated staff will make your procedure as comfortable as possible. Patient safety, continuity of care and minimal disruption to your daily life are our top priorities.
Why is Endoscopy Performed?
Your health care professional might recommend an endoscopy to investigate symptoms or manage health conditions. Endoscopy is commonly used to diagnose unexplained abdominal pain, chronic heartburn, difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, gastrointestinal bleeding and to screen for colon (bowel) cancer.
Therapeutically, endoscopy can treat conditions by removing polyps, widening narrow areas, extracting foreign objects, placing stents or getting tissue samples for biopsy.
The Endoscopy Procedure
Preparing for an Endoscopy
What to Expect During and After an Endoscopy
Risks and Side Effects of Endoscopy
Depending on your procedure, you might need to fast or follow special dietary instructions. Detailed instructions, including medication adjustments, will be given to you beforehand. It’s important to discuss your full medical history, allergies and current medications with your specialist upfront.
Book a Consultation
For more information about our endoscopy procedures or to arrange an appointment, please contact Montserrat Medical Services. We look forward to assisting you on your journey to better digestive health.
P: 07 3833 6701
E: bookings@montserrat.com.au
Next Steps and Follow Up
Following your endoscopy, your results will be discussed during a follow-up appointment. If biopsies were taken, these results will be explained as well. Our team will recommend treatments, lifestyle modifications or a need for further monitoring based on your results. Our ongoing care means you stay well-informed and supported every step of the way.
Our experienced team of healthcare professionals are here to provide you with personalised care and support.
Frequently Asked Questions
An endoscopy can identify inflammation, ulcers, polyps, infections, cancers and other abnormalities in various parts of the body, particularly within the digestive system.
They are generally not painful, as general anaesthesia is used. Some patients may experience mild temporary discomfort or a sore throat afterwards, but this usually resolves very quickly.
Yes, Montserrat’s endoscopy procedures involve general anaesthesia, which will make you relaxed and unaware of the procedure. You will not feel pain and might have very little memory of the procedure itself.
A swift recovery from endoscopy is to be expected, with most patients resuming their normal daily activities within 24 hours. You might experience some mild drowsiness from the sedation immediately after the procedure and should avoid driving or doing strenuous activities on the same day.
Endoscopy procedures at Montserrat are competitively priced and can be covered by Medicare or private health insurance, except for your hospital excess or gap payment, as agreed to on your health policy. No-gap options are available for eligible privately insured patients. Our upfront, competitive pricing means you’ll stay well informed about all associated costs.