A needle for intravenous (IV) medicines will be placed in your arm vein prior to the procedure. Medicine will be injected through the needle that will make you sleepy and relaxed. Your doctor may also spray your throat or ask you to gargle with a numbing medicine. As you lie on your left side, the doctor will place a small mouthpiece between your teeth. You will be able to breath normally.

The doctor will then help you to swallow the flexible endoscope tube and he will examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. A biopsy specimen (tiny bit of tissue) may be taken for microscopic examination. You will not feel any sensation or discomfort when the biopsy is performed.

Many people do not recall any of the procedure because of the effect of the medicine. After the procedure, you will probably feel drowsy and may sleep for a short time. The doctor will then discuss the findings with you and the GI nurse or technician will give you instructions to follow when you go home.