Gastroscopy in Cape Town

What Is a Gastroscopy?

A gastroscope, a slim flexible instrument with a camera and light source, is passed through the mouth into the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. Biopsies can be taken during the procedure, including tests for Helicobacter pylori, and selected polyps can be removed.

Indications

Gastroscopy is commonly recommended for:

• persistent heartburn or reflux, or reflux that does not respond to treatment
• difficulty or pain on swallowing (dysphagia)
• upper abdominal pain or indigestion (dyspepsia)
• persistent nausea or vomiting
• vomiting blood, or black, tarry stools
• iron-deficiency anaemia

Should you have any of these symptoms, please arrange a consultation with Dr. Loots. Appointments can be booked online or made by calling the practice on 021 224 0077.

The Procedure

Gastroscopy is performed in the practice's endoscopy suite rather than in theatre. Sedation is administered by an anaesthetist, and a local anaesthetic throat spray may also be used. You remain in the recovery area until the sedation has worn off.

Where colonoscopy is also indicated, both procedures are performed in one session under a single sedation.

Dr. Loots discusses the findings with you before discharge. Histology results are communicated once they are available.

Preparation

• Fast before the procedure as instructed by the practice.
• Inform the practice in advance if you take anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents or diabetic medication.
• Ask whether to stop acid-suppressing medication beforehand.

After the Procedure

• Do not drive, operate machinery or sign legal documents after sedation until advised that it is safe. Arrange for someone to take you home.
• A sore throat and bloating are common afterwards and usually settle on their own.
• You will be advised when to eat and drink, and when to resume your normal activities.

Contact the practice if you develop severe or worsening abdominal pain, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, fever or vomiting of blood.

Medical Aid, Referral and Private Patients

The practice is contracted to Discovery Health for its Classic plan options, which pay the full fee for in-rooms gastroscopy. Most other medical schemes, including many hospital plans, contribute to the cost of in-rooms scopes. Benefits differ between schemes and plan options, so please confirm your cover beforehand; the practice will assist with pre-authorisation. A GP referral is welcome but not required.

Patients without South African medical aid, including visitors to Cape Town, are welcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting to the Practice

Suite A115, Mediclinic Cape Town Hospital, 21 Hof Street, Oranjezicht. You will need someone to drive you home after sedation.

• City Bowl: Gardens, Tamboerskloof, Vredehoek, Oranjezicht and the CBD.
• Atlantic Seaboard: Green Point, Sea Point, Camps Bay and Clifton, via Kloof Nek or the city.
• Southern Suburbs: Observatory, Rondebosch, Newlands, Claremont and Constantia, via the M3.
• Northern Suburbs: Milnerton, Parow, Bellville and Durbanville, via the N1.

About Dr. Loots

Dr. Loots is a specialist general surgeon at Cape Town Mediclinic with a special interest in breast and thyroid surgery and endoscopy. MBChB (University of the Free State, 2004); MMed Surgery (Stellenbosch University, 2015); FCS SA.

Related Reading

• Gastroscopy vs. Colonoscopy: What's the Difference?
• Colonoscopy in Cape Town