FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.     Why do I need an office appointment when my doctor wants me to have a procedure?

2.     When should I have a colonoscopy? 

3.     What do I do if the colonoscopy preparation makes me sick?

      4.     What if I need to cancel my appointment?

      5.     Will I be “knocked out” for my procedure? 

6.     What should I bring to my procedure? 

7.     Why do I need someone to drive me home? 

8.     Why do I have to check in so early? 

9.     How soon may I eat after the procedure? 

10.  How will I feel after my procedure? 

11.  When will I know the results of my procedure? 

12.  How does my primary doctor get my results? 

13.  Why are you sending me a statement when you are billing my insurance? 

ANSWERS 

1. Why do I need an office appointment when my doctor wants me to have a procedure?

·         The initial office appointment is a consultation to discuss your medical history, evaluate any symptoms, and perform a physical examination. If a procedure is recommended, the doctor will explain the procedure along with the potential benefits and risks.

2. When should I have a colonoscopy?

·         In general, everyone 50 years of age or older should have a colonoscopy to screen for polyps and cancer.  However, if you have a family history of colon polyps or colon cancer then you should have this done sooner.

·         Anyone with gastrointestinal symptoms, regardless of age, should discuss their symptoms with a primary doctor or a gastroenterologist to see if a procedure is needed.

3. What do I do if the colonoscopy preparation makes me sick?

·         Stop drinking for 30-60 minutes.  Then drink a glass every 20-30 minutes. 

·         If you still have any difficulty with the colonoscopy preparation, please call us at (760) 724-8782. If the office is closed, the operator will contact the “on-call” physician who will then call you back.  Please remain near the telephone for the return call.

·         There is a physician on call 24 hours every day.

4. What if I need to cancel my appointment?

·         If you need to cancel your procedure, please call North County Gastro Medical Group at (760) 724-8782. 

·         There is a charge for canceling your procedure without giving us a 72 hour notice.  In addition, you will be required to post a $100.00 deposit before your procedure will be rescheduled.  We will refund this deposit when you check in for your procedure.  Our procedure time slots are extremely limited, and we make every effort to keep the rooms fully scheduled each day.  The waiting list for procedure appointments is fairly long, so you may experience a delay if you have to cancel your procedure.

5. Will I be “knocked out” for my procedure?

·         Our procedures are done under “conscious sedation” and there is usually no anesthesiologist involved.  Your physician will administer the sedatives and titrate to your individual needs and safety.  The goal is to both keep you comfortable and safely perform the procedure.  You will be breathing on your own, as opposed to general anesthesia.  Please inform your physician if you are extremely sensitive to sedation or have had problems with sedatives in the past.   

6. What should I bring to my procedure?

·         Please wear comfortable clothing to your appointment.  Leave all valuables and all jewelry at home.  If you cannot remove your wedding bands, we will have to tape them.  Bring your eyeglasses and wear your hearing aid if you have one. 

·         Have your driver come in with you to receive pick-up instructions and sign our form stating that you have a driver.  If you have added any new medications since your consult with our doctor, please bring that information with you.

·          If your insurance has changed since seeing our doctor, you will need to bring your insurance card with you so we can update our files. 

7. Why do I need someone to drive me home?

·         Since you are given sedation for your procedure, you may not drive for the rest of the day.  Legally, you are under the influence of a narcotic when you leave here, so for your safety and those of everyone else on the road, please do not attempt to operate a motorized vehicle.  

·         Your procedure may be cancelled if you do not have someone to drive you home. 

·         We do not recommend taking a taxi home, because the taxi driver will not assume responsibility for getting you home safely.  However, if you have no other transportation home, the doctor will allow you to take a taxi home only if you are accompanied by a responsible adult.  You will not be allowed to take a taxi home by yourself.

8. Why do I have to check in so early?

·         Patients are asked to check-in early to ensure that the nurses have adequate time to prepare you for the procedure (start IV, review your medical history and medications, get you in a surgical gown, and administer any pre-procedure medications) 

9. How soon may I eat after the procedure?

·         In most cases, you can eat as soon as you get home.  You will be given discharge instructions regarding the resumption of any medications and what to eat.  Please do not plan to go out to eat at a restaurant.  You will be under the influence of medications and if you have had a colonoscopy, you may still have air to pass.  This is best done at home.

10.  How will I feel after my procedure?

·         Most patients have very little discomfort following their procedure.  You may feel sleepy immediately after waking from the sedation.  After an Upper Endoscopy you may experience a mild sore throat. After a colonoscopy, you may feel bloated until all of the air has been expelled.  Your nurse will go over any other side effects as part of your discharge instructions. 

11.  When will I know the results of my procedure?

·         Your physician will review and give you a copy of the initial findings before you leave the facility. 

·         If biopsies were taken, the results can take up to 14 days. These are reviewed and forwarded to your primary doctor. You will be notified of any abnormal results.

12. How does my primary doctor get my results?

·         We ask you about who your primary or referring physician is at check-in.  We will send them a copy of the results.  Please let the receptionist know the complete name and address of any our-of-area physician that will need your results.

13.  Why are you sending me a statement when you are billing my insurance?

·         You will receive a statement detailing your charges each month until the balance is paid.  Please review this statement carefully, as it informs you when your insurance was billed and what, if anything, they paid.  It gives you the status of any secondary insurance you may have as well.  Please call us immediately if you see that we are billing the incorrect insurance.