Upper GI Endoscopy in Pune: What to Expect, How to Prepare and What It Costs

Upper GI endoscopy — also called gastroscopy, OGD (oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy), or simply "scope" — is one of the most frequently recommended and most frequently avoided investigations in Indian gastroenterology. Patients receive a referral for endoscopy and put it off for weeks or months because they fear the procedure: the idea of a tube going down the throat is distressing in the abstract. The reality is almost universally more manageable than the imagination. This guide covers everything a patient needs to know before, during, and after upper GI endoscopy at Solo Clinic GI in Pune — preparation, the procedure step by step, what is looked for, how long it takes, and what it costs.

What Upper GI Endoscopy Is and Why It's Done

Upper GI endoscopy uses a thin, flexible tube (the endoscope) with a high-definition camera and light source at its tip. The endoscope is passed through the mouth, down the throat (oropharynx), through the oesophagus (food pipe), into the stomach, and then into the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). The camera transmits real-time images to a monitor, allowing the endoscopist to examine the entire upper GI tract mucosa in detail.

It is the only investigation that directly visualises the upper GI lining — X-rays and CT scans cannot show the mucosal detail needed to diagnose oesophagitis, gastritis, ulcers, Barrett's oesophagus, or early cancer. In many cases, endoscopy is both diagnostic and therapeutic — biopsies are taken, polyps are removed, and bleeding can be stopped during the same procedure.

Common Reasons for Upper GI Endoscopy

• Investigation of chronic heartburn or GERD not responding to 4–6 weeks of medication
• Upper abdominal pain not explained by ultrasound
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) — any cause, any severity
• Vomiting blood (haematemesis) or passing black, tarry stools (melaena)
• Unexplained weight loss with upper GI symptoms
• Iron deficiency anaemia without an obvious cause
• New-onset upper abdominal symptoms in someone over 45
• Surveillance of Barrett's oesophagus, previous gastric ulcers, or gastric polyps
• H. pylori testing and biopsy for patients with suspected peptic ulcer
• Variceal screening in patients with liver cirrhosis

How to Prepare for Upper GI Endoscopy

Preparation is straightforward and the most important instruction is simple: fast for 6–8 hours before the procedure. No solid food, no milk, no juice. Plain water is permitted up to 2–4 hours before. This ensures the stomach is empty — a full stomach prevents adequate visualisation of the stomach lining and significantly increases the risk of aspiration (inhalation of stomach contents into the lungs during the procedure).

Medications: Most regular medications can be taken with a small sip of water on the morning of endoscopy. Important exceptions: blood thinners (warfarin, clopidogrel, newer anticoagulants — discuss with Dr. Rajesh whether to pause); metformin — usually continued; PPIs (omeprazole, pantoprazole) — usually continued. If H. pylori testing is the purpose of the endoscopy, PPIs should have been stopped for at least 2 weeks before the procedure for accurate results — confirm this with your referring doctor.

What to bring: Your referral letter and any previous relevant reports (previous endoscopy reports, blood tests, ultrasound films). Bring someone who can accompany you home if sedation is planned.

The Procedure: Step by Step

Throat spray: A local anaesthetic spray (lignocaine) is applied to the back of the throat — this numbs the gag reflex and makes passage of the endoscope significantly more comfortable. Takes effect within 1–2 minutes.

Positioning: You lie on your left side on the procedure couch. A small plastic mouthguard is placed between your teeth to protect the endoscope and your teeth.

Endoscope insertion: The endoscope (approximately 1cm in diameter) is guided gently through the mouthguard, over the tongue, and down the throat. You will be asked to swallow once — this helps the endoscope pass the upper oesophageal sphincter. After this, the insertion is painless. Air is gently insufflated through the scope to open the lumen for viewing — you may feel mild bloating.

Examination: Dr. Rajesh examines the oesophagus carefully during both insertion and withdrawal, the stomach (all walls — fundus, body, antrum, and pylorus), and the duodenum (first and second parts). The examination takes 8–15 minutes in a straightforward case.

Biopsies: If any mucosal abnormality is seen — a suspicious area, thickened fold, ulcer, polyp, or the columnar epithelium of Barrett's oesophagus — a biopsy forceps is passed through the endoscope and a small tissue sample is taken. Biopsies are painless — there are no pain nerve endings in the upper GI mucosa.

Withdrawal: The endoscope is carefully withdrawn, examining the mucosa again during withdrawal. You are asked to spit rather than swallow throughout the procedure.

Sedation Options at Solo Clinic GI

Throat spray only (no sedation): Most patients tolerate upper endoscopy well with throat spray alone. You remain fully awake and aware, can drive yourself home, and there is no recovery period. This is the preferred approach for straightforward diagnostic endoscopy.

Intravenous sedation (conscious sedation): A short-acting benzodiazepine (midazolam) or propofol is given through a cannula. You enter a deeply relaxed state, may have no memory of the procedure, and it passes without any gag reflex or discomfort. Recovery takes 30–60 minutes. You cannot drive for the rest of the day and must be accompanied home. Sedation is available on request and is particularly recommended for anxious patients, previous difficult endoscopy, or when the procedure is expected to be more involved (therapeutic procedures, Barrett's biopsies).

Upper GI Endoscopy Cost in Pune (2025)

The cost of upper GI endoscopy at Solo Clinic GI includes the procedure, endoscopist's fee, sedation (if chosen), and histopathology of any biopsies taken. As a general guide, diagnostic upper GI endoscopy in Pune at a private specialist clinic ranges from approximately ₹3,500–₹8,000. If biopsies are taken and sent for histopathology, there is typically an additional lab cost of ₹1,500–₹3,000 depending on the number of specimens. Sedation adds a modest additional cost. Contact Solo Clinic GI directly for current pricing specific to your clinical indication.

Most health insurance policies in India cover diagnostic endoscopy when prescribed by a doctor, provided the patient is admitted (even for a day-case procedure). Check with your insurer regarding cashless empanelment at the facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an upper GI endoscopy take from start to finish?

The actual procedure takes 10–15 minutes for a straightforward diagnostic endoscopy. Allow 45–60 minutes total for the appointment — including preparation (throat spray, positioning, cannula placement if sedation is chosen), the procedure, and a brief recovery and post-procedure discussion. With sedation, add 30–60 minutes for recovery before you are fit to leave.

Can I eat and drink after upper GI endoscopy?

With throat spray only: you can eat and drink approximately 30–45 minutes after the procedure, once the numbness from the throat spray has worn off (to ensure your swallowing reflex has fully returned). Start with small sips of water. With sedation: eat and drink when you feel alert and your swallowing is fully normal — usually 1–2 hours after the procedure. Begin with light foods.

Will I get the results immediately?

Dr. Rajesh will discuss his visual findings with you immediately after the procedure — what was seen in the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum. If biopsies were taken, the histopathology report from the laboratory takes 5–7 working days. Our team will contact you when the biopsy results are available and arrange a follow-up to discuss them in the context of the endoscopic findings.

Is upper GI endoscopy safe? Are there risks?

Upper GI endoscopy is one of the safest medical procedures performed in gastroenterology. Serious complications are rare: perforation (tear in the oesophagus or stomach) occurs in less than 1 in 10,000 diagnostic endoscopies; aspiration is prevented by adequate fasting; significant bleeding from biopsies is extremely uncommon. The risk of sedation complications is very low with appropriate patient monitoring. The risk of leaving upper GI symptoms uninvestigated almost always outweighs the small procedural risk.

I'm very anxious about the tube going down my throat. What should I do?

This is the most common concern — and it is completely understandable. Here is what helps: request intravenous sedation, which will make you entirely comfortable and leave you with no memory of the procedure; ask Dr. Rajesh to talk you through each step as it happens if you choose throat spray only; and know that the active swallowing phase lasts only seconds, after which the tube is in the stomach and there is typically no ongoing gag. Many patients who are extremely anxious before the procedure are genuinely surprised by how manageable it was afterward. Discuss your anxiety at the pre-procedure consultation so we can plan accordingly.

Need an Upper GI Endoscopy in Pune?

Solo Clinic GI offers AI-assisted upper GI endoscopy by Dr. Rajesh Tandulwadkar — Diploma in Endoscopy from the University of Hamburg — with sedation available on request. Same-week appointments for urgent referrals.

Book Your Endoscopy →    Call +91 98500 89371

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Upper GI endoscopy requires a medical referral and clinical assessment. Consult Dr. Rajesh Tandulwadkar or your physician to determine whether endoscopy is indicated for your specific symptoms.