An endoscopy is a procedure where a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera at the end is used to examine the inside of the digestive tract. The endoscope is inserted through the mouth and maneuvered down the throat into the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine called the duodenum. Endoscopies are often done as part of regular health screenings or to investigate symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing.
After an endoscopy, most people wonder when they can resume eating and drinking. This is an important question since eating too soon after the procedure can increase the risk of complications. On the other hand, waiting too long to eat can lead to discomfort. In general, your doctor will provide specific instructions on when you can start eating again based on the type of endoscopy performed and if any biopsies or interventions were done.
How Long to Fast Before an Endoscopy
In preparation for an endoscopy, you will need to follow fasting instructions provided by your doctor. Fasting helps ensure your stomach and upper digestive tract are empty so the doctor can clearly view the lining during the procedure. Here are some standard fasting guidelines before common types of endoscopies:
– Upper endoscopy/EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy): You should have nothing to eat or drink, including water, for at least 8 hours before the procedure. Some doctors recommend a full 12 hour fast.
– Colonoscopy: You need to follow a liquid diet and bowel prep to fully clean out your colon. This involves avoiding all solid foods and eating only clear liquids like plain broth, black coffee or tea (no milk or cream), gelatin, popsicles, and apple or white grape juice for 24-48 hours prior. You will also need to drink a laxative solution.
– Flexible sigmoidoscopy: You may be instructed to follow a liquid diet for 12-24 hours beforehand and use enemas or laxatives to clean out the lower bowel.
– Endoscopic ultrasound: Fasting instructions are similar to upper endoscopy, avoiding food for 8 hours and liquids for 4 hours before.
The fasting times may be adjusted by your doctor based on your medical history and time of the scheduled procedure. It is very important to strictly follow the provided instructions or else your endoscopy may need to be postponed for safety reasons if your stomach and bowels are not empty. Notify your doctor if you have any trouble tolerating the fasting or prep.
After the Endoscopy
Once the endoscopic exam is complete, most patients feel ready to eat again soon after. However, how soon you can eat and drink depends on:
– Type of endoscopy: Upper endoscopies require longer fasting than lower endoscopies like colonoscopies or sigmoidoscopies.
– Use of sedation: General anesthesia or heavier sedation during the procedure means you will need more recovery time before resuming oral intake.
– Interventions performed: If biopsies were taken or polyps removed, your doctor may recommend additional fasting to allow the gastrointestinal lining to heal.
Here are general guidelines on how soon you can resume eating after common endoscopic procedures:
Upper Endoscopy
After an upper endoscopy without biopsy or treatment, you may be able to drink clear liquids immediately after leaving the procedure room once you are awake and able to swallow safely. You can then gradually progress to eating regular foods without restrictions.
If biopsies were performed or medications given through the endoscope, your doctor may recommend:
– Only clear liquids for the first 1-2 hours
– A soft diet for the remainder of the day
– Resuming a normal diet the next day
With significant interventions like polyp removal orBanding or injection treatment for varices or ulcers, you may need to follow a liquid or soft diet for up to 3 days.
Colonoscopy
After a diagnostic colonoscopy without biopsy or treatment, you can generally resume your regular diet immediately.
If tissue was removed or polyps were treated, you may be advised to follow a low residue diet for 1-2 days to give the bowel time to heal. Low residue foods include:
– White bread, white rice, noodles, and low-fiber cereals
– Soft fruits like bananas, canned peaches, and apple sauce (no skin)
– Tender meats, eggs, and tofu
– Milk, yogurt, mild cheese
– Cooked and pureed vegetables
Avoid high fiber foods like raw fruits and veggies, whole grains, seeds, nuts, legumes, fried or fatty foods, tough meats, and alcohol.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
You can typically start eating normally right after a flexible sigmoidoscopy. Since only the lower part of the bowel is examined, fasting times are shorter and the bowel recovers more quickly than with colonoscopy. However, your doctor may still recommend a temporary low residue diet if biopsies were taken.
Endoscopic Ultrasound
Follow similar post-procedure diet guidelines as for upper endoscopy. Stick to clear liquids at first for 1-2 hours, followed by soft foods for the rest of the day. In most cases, you can resume a regular diet the next day. Limit heavy fatty foods for a few days.
What are some good first foods to eat after an endoscopy?
Eating the right foods after your endoscopy can help minimize gastrointestinal discomfort and support healing if tissue samples or polyps were removed. Here are some good options for your first meal:
– Broth or soups: Chicken, vegetable, or bone broth are easy to digest.
– Gelatin: Try some jiggly Jell-O or gummy bears.
– Fruit juice: Sip on apple, white grape, or other gentle juices.
– Smoothies: Blend bananas, soft fruits, yogurt, and milk.
– Oatmeal or cream of wheat: Look for instant plain varieties.
– Eggs: Scrambled, hard boiled, or soft omelets are great after anesthesia.
– Apple sauce: Go for unsweetened.
– Popsicles: Look for options without fruit chunks or seeds.
– Milk, milkshakes: Calcium-rich dairy is soothing.
– Mashed potatoes or baked white fish: Add a pat of butter.
Avoid anything spicy, fried, or too harsh on an irritated digestive tract. Focus on smooth, low fiber foods that won’t cause discomfort. Stay hydrated by sipping water frequently too.
What foods should be avoided after an endoscopy with biopsies or polyp removal?
If your doctor took biopsies or removed polyps during your endoscopy, you will be advised to follow a temporary soft diet to allow tissue healing, often for 1-3 days. Avoid:
– Whole grains: Including breads, cereals, brown rice and pasta.
– Raw fruits and vegetables: These can be hard to digest. Cook fruits and vegetables well.
– Dried fruits and berries: Due to skins and seeds.
– Nuts and seeds: These can irritate the GI tract.
– Spicy foods: Anything with chili peppers, garlic, onions or other strong seasonings.
– Fried and fatty foods: These take longer to digest.
– Tough cuts of meats: Opt for ground meats, eggs, tofu instead.
– Alcohol: Alcohol can further irritate the digestive system.
Focus on smooth, creamy foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, eggs, and well-cooked tender meats and veggies. Stay hydrated and gradually work probiotic foods back into your diet like yogurt, kefir, and fermented foods.
When can I resume a normal diet after an endoscopy?
In most cases, you can go back to eating a normal diet within 1-2 days after an endoscopy. Here are some general timeline guidelines:
Upper Endoscopy
– Diagnostic EGD only: Resume normal diet immediately
– With biopsies: Regular diet within 24 hours
– With polyp removal: Regular diet in 1-2 days
– With dilation for strictures: Soft foods up to 7 days per doctor instructions
Colonoscopy
– Diagnostic only: Resume normal diet immediately
– With biopsies: Regular diet in 24-48 hours
– With large polyp removal: Normal diet in 1-3 days
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
– Diagnostic or biopsies: Resume regular diet immediately
– Extensive polyp removal: May require 24 hours on soft diet
Endoscopic Ultrasound
– Diagnostic only: Resume normal diet within 24 hours
– With biopsies or fine needle aspiration: Regular diet in 1-2 days
Remember to start back slowly with gentle foods like broth, gelatin, and juices before working back up to heavier meals. Increase fiber gradually over a few days as well. Notify your doctor if you have concerns about resuming your regular diet after endoscopy.
What should I eat after an endoscopy with anesthesia?
If you received general anesthesia or conscious sedation for your endoscopy, you’ll need to begin with clear liquids after the procedure and progress slowly to more solid foods. This allows time for the sedative medications to wear off so your throat muscles and gag reflex fully return.
Try starting with these options:
– Water or coconut water to stay hydrated
– Ice chips, popsicles, or Jell-O to wet your mouth
– Chicken or vegetable broth
– Clear juices like apple or cranberry
– Decaf tea with honey
– Clear protein shakes or yogurt drinks
Stick to a liquid diet for the first 1-2 hours, then try soft bland foods like:
– Soup
– Applesauce
– Pudding
– Mashed potatoes
– Milkshake or smoothie
Avoid heavy meals, spicy foods, or anything that requires a lot of chewing at first. Don’t drink alcohol. Stay upright and avoid lying down right after eating to prevent reflux symptoms. Hydrate well to help metabolize the anesthetic agents.
What should I eat after endoscopy with stomach biopsy?
If you had biopsies taken from your stomach lining during endoscopy, your doctor will likely recommend following a bland diet for 1-2 days afterwards to rest the stomach and allow gentle healing. Try foods like:
– Chicken or vegetable broth
– Applesauce
– Oatmeal, cream of wheat, grits
– Mashed potatoes
– Smoothies made with bananas, milk, yogurt
– Soft scrambled eggs or poached eggs
– Tofu
– Tea, water, diluted juices like cranberry
Avoid spicy, fried, or fatty foods. Don’t drink alcohol or smoke, as these can further irritate the stomach. Introduce fiber slowly over a few days. Stay hydrated to help healing. Use antacids as needed for discomfort. Call your doctor if you have concerns about resuming eating or have worsening abdominal pain.
Conclusion
How soon you can eat and drink after endoscopy depends on several factors, including:
– Type of endoscopy – Upper endoscopies require longer fasting.
– Use of anesthesia or heavy sedation – This slows return of normal swallowing.
– Biopsies or tissue removal – May warrant a liquid or soft diet for 1-3 days.
In general, a normal diet can be resumed within 24 hours for simple diagnostic tests. More complex procedures with biopsies or polyp removal may require 1-2 days of a soft bland diet before regular eating can continue. Stay hydrated and progress diet slowly under your doctor’s guidance for optimal recovery.
