Gastroscopy & Colonoscopy Day Procedures: Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions we are asked most often about having a gastroscopy or colonoscopy as a day procedure.

What type of anaesthesia will I have?

In Australia, gastroscopy and colonoscopy are almost always performed under deep sedation, given by a specialist anaesthetist through a small drip in your hand or arm (usually with the medication propofol). You will be comfortably asleep and will not feel or remember the procedure. It is lighter than a full general anaesthetic — you breathe for yourself and no breathing tube is needed — and you wake within minutes of the procedure finishing, usually feeling clear-headed soon after.

How long will I be in hospital?

Plan to be with us for about 3 hours in total. The procedure itself takes only around 15–45 minutes; the rest is admission, preparation, and time in recovery while the sedation wears off and we make sure you are comfortable before you go home.

Can I drive home afterwards?

No. Even though you may feel completely normal, sedation affects judgement and reaction times for the rest of the day. You must not drive for 24 hours after your procedure. Please arrange for a family member or friend to collect you — for your safety, we cannot discharge you to drive yourself, and travelling home alone in a taxi or rideshare is not recommended unless someone meets you at home.

Can I be home by myself afterwards?

No. A responsible adult needs to take you home and stay with you overnight. This is a standard safety requirement after sedation — if you cannot arrange someone to stay with you, please contact us before your procedure day so we can plan ahead.

What else should I avoid for 24 hours after sedation?

• Driving any vehicle or riding a bike

• Operating machinery or cooking with hot oil, and take care around stoves and kettles

• Drinking alcohol

• Signing legal or financial documents, or making important decisions

• Being the sole carer for young children, if avoidable

What is a 'white diet'?

If your colonoscopy instructions mention a white diet (sometimes called a low-residue diet), it means eating only plain, pale-coloured, low-fibre foods — usually for the day before your procedure, alongside your bowel preparation. It helps the bowel clean out properly so we get the clearest possible view.

You can eat:

• White bread (no grains or seeds), white rice, plain pasta

• Skinless chicken, white fish, eggs

• Potato without the skin

• Plain white cheese, plain yoghurt, milk (unless advised otherwise)

• Clear fluids: water, clear apple juice, black tea or coffee, clear broth, lemonade, plain jelly — nothing red or purple

Avoid:

• Wholegrain or seeded bread, brown rice, cereals with bran or fruit

• Fruit and vegetables (including salads), and anything with skins, seeds or nuts

• Red meat, and any food or drink coloured red or purple, which can be mistaken for blood in the bowel

Always follow the specific written instructions given for your procedure — the timing of the white diet, clear fluids and bowel preparation varies with your appointment time.

Do I need to fast?

Yes — your admission letter will give exact times, and they matter for your safety with sedation. Typically you will have nothing to eat for at least 6 hours before the procedure, with clear fluids allowed up to 2 hours before. For colonoscopy, the bowel preparation instructions take priority — follow them exactly.

What about my regular medications?

Most regular medications can be taken as usual with a sip of water, but blood thinners, diabetes medications (including insulin) and iron tablets need a specific plan — please tell us about these when you book, well before your procedure day, and we will advise you exactly what to do.

When can I eat and drink again?

You can usually eat and drink normally as soon as you are awake in recovery — we will offer you something light before you go home. After a gastroscopy your throat may feel slightly scratchy for a day; after a colonoscopy some wind and bloating for a few hours is normal.

When can I go back to work?

Most people return to work and normal activities the next day. You should not work on the day of your procedure, and if your job involves driving, machinery or critical decisions, wait until the full 24 hours have passed.

When will I get my results?

Your doctor will usually speak with you in recovery before you leave and provide a written summary. Because sedation can make it hard to remember conversations, it helps to have the person collecting you present. Biopsy results typically take about a week — we will let you know how these will be given to you.

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This information is general and not a substitute for personalised medical advice or your specific procedure instructions. If you are unwell before your procedure, or have any concerns afterwards — particularly severe abdominal pain, fever, or bleeding — contact us promptly, or call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department in an emergency.