Endoscopy

Gastroscopy

What is a gastroscopy?

A gastroscopy is an examination of your upper digestive or gastrointestinal tract. This includes your throat, food pipe (oesophagus), stomach and upper part of the small intestine. 

It involves the use of a long, thin, flexible tube called a gastroscope that has a camera inside it – your doctor will insert the gastroscope carefully through the mouth and into your stomach. This allows your doctor to get a clear, detailed view of your digestive tract.

Why do you need a gastroscopy?

A gastroscopy is used to diagnose stomach problems such as nausea, heartburn, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss and bloating. 

In addition, a gastroscopy is used to screen for ulcers or polyps, stomach cancer and to remove tissue for testing (biopsies).

What can you expect in a gastroscopy?

Preparing for a Gastroscopy

You will need to stop eating at least 6 hours before the gastroscopy and avoid drinking 2-3 hours before. 

If you choose to be sedated during the gastroscopy, you will need to arrange for someone to take or drive you home after the gastroscopy. The sedation medicine can stay in the body for up to 24 hours, and you will need to arrange for someone to be around during this time.

During a Gastroscopy

A local anesthetic spray will be applied to numb your throat. If you choose to be sedated, the sedative medication will be given to you to help you relax. 

You will be lying down on your left side, and the doctor will insert the gastroscope down your throat. 

Once the examination is complete, you will be taken to a recovery bed or suite to rest for an hour before the sedation begins to wear off. 

The whole procedure is short, usually taking less than 15 minutes.

Colonoscopy

What is a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is an examination of your colon (otherwise known as the large intestine) and rectum. The colon is part of your digestive system and connects your small intestine to your rectum. 

It involves the use of a long, thin, soft and flexible tube called a colonoscope that has a camera inside it – your doctor will gently insert the colonoscope which is about the width of a finger, through the anus and carefully push it into the rectum and colon. This allows your doctor to get a clear, detailed view of your colon.

The examination is done under sedation for your comfort. 

Why do you need a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is used to diagnose colon or rectum abnormalities such as rectal bleeding, constipation, diarrhea, blood in stool, abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss. 

In addition, a colonoscopy is used to screen for polyps, colon cancer and to diagnose inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. 

What can you expect in a colonoscopy?

Preparing for a Colonoscopy

You will need to go on a low fibre diet 3 days before the colonoscopy, and stop eating solid foods at least 24 hours before the colonoscopy. A bowel prep, laxative kit will be given to you to induce bowel movement to clear your colon of solid waste – this ensures your doctor gets a clear view of your colon during the colonoscopy.  

As you will be sedated during the colonoscopy, you will need to arrange for someone to take or drive you home after the colonoscopy. The sedation medicine can stay in the body for up to 24 hours, and you will need to arrange for someone to be around during this time.

You will be sedated for the procedure and be asked to lie on your side before the doctor inserts a colonoscope into your rectum. The scope contains a small light and camera, and a tube to pump small amounts of air or carbon dioxide to inflate the colon to give provide a better view.

During a Colonoscopy

You will be sedated to ease any potential discomfort. 

You will be lying down on your side with your knees tucked into your body, and the doctor will insert the colonoscope into your colon through your anus. 

Once the examination is complete, you will be taken to a recovery bed or suite to rest for an hour before the sedation begins to wear off. 

The whole procedure is short, usually taking less than 20 minutes.

Why choose Novena Surgery for a gastroscopy or colonoscopy?

Doctors who choose to perform a gastroscopy or colonoscopy at Novena Surgery will perform the procedure in an endoscopy suite equipped with a high-definition camera system – this allows doctors to view their procedures with unprecedented clarity and transmit their findings smoothly.

Post-procedure, patients can choose to recover in one of Novena Surgery’s comfortable private suites, or in our 12-bed recovery unit under the care of well-trained nursing staff.

Waiting times are also shortened as patients need only turn up half-an-hour before their surgery, and be checked into the ward within 10 minutes of arrival. 

Patients’ companions have the option of patronising Velocity, Square and Square 2 shopping malls that are seamlessly integrated with Novena Medical Centre, the building housing Novena Surgery.

I want to undergo a gastroscopy/colonoscopy in Novena Surgery but I do not have a GP referral letter.

Depending on the area you live in or that is convenient for you, we have established GP partners whom you can see to obtain a referral letter to an endoscopist.

Area of Singapore	Name of GP Clinic	Doctor’s Name	GP Clinic Address	GP Clinic Tele	GP Clinic Opening Hours
SOUTH	Thomas Clinic	Dr Thomas Cherian	61 TELOK BLANGAH HEIGHTS, #01-97, Singapore 100061	6270 4354	Monday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm, 02:30 pm to 04:30 pm, 06:30 pm to 08:30 pmTuesday to Wednesday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm, 02:30 pm to 04:30 pmThursday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pmFriday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm, 02:30 pm to 04:30 pmSaturday : 09:00 am to 12:30 pmSunday and Public Holiday : Closed62704354
SOUTH	Everton Clinic	Dr Lily Lie	7 EVERTON PARK, #01-17, Singapore 080007	62207872	Monday and Tuesday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm, 02:00 pm to 05:00 pm, 06:30 pm to 08:30 pmWednesday and Saturday : ClosedThursday and Friday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm, 02:00 pm to 05:00 pm, 06:30 pm to 08:30 pmSunday to Sunday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm
CENTRAL	Novena Medical Center Family Clinic	Dr Ong Chong Sen	10 SINARAN DRIVE #11-19 SINGAPORE 307506	63976861	Monday to Friday : 10:00 am to 03:00 pmSunday and Public Holiday : Closed
CENTRAL	Family Health Clinic	Dr Clement Lai Chee Tiong	43 Holland Drive, #01-65, Singapore 270043	67777933	Monday to Tuesday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm, 02:00 pm to 04:30 pm, 07:00 pm to 09:00 pm; Thursday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm, 02:00 pm to 04:30 pm, 07:00 pm to 09:00 pm; Saturday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm
CENTRAL	Physician Family Practice	Dr Lai Yirong	101 THOMSON ROAD, #01-17, UNITED SQUARE Singapore 307591	62548182	Public Holiday : Closed22/4/2022 Monday and Thursday : 05:30 pm to 08:30 pm; Monday to Friday : 08:30 am to 05:30 pm
East	K.L. Tay Clinic	Dr Tay Kok Ling	632 BEDOK RESERVOIR RD, #01-822, Singapore 470632	64481630	Monday and Wednesday : 09:00 am to 12:30 pm, 02:00 pm to 04:30 pm, 07:00 pm to 09:00 pmTuesday and Thursday : 09:00 am to 12:30 pm, 02:00 pm to 04:30 pmFriday : 09:00 am to 12:30 pm, 02:00 pm to 04:30 pm, 07:00 pm to 09:00 pmSaturday : 09:00 am to 12:30 pmSunday and Public Holiday : Closed
East	Alliance Clinic	Dr Lim Peng Keong	652 JALAN TENAGA, #01-50, Singapore 410652	68469585	Public Holiday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pmMonday to Thursday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm, 02:00 pm to 04:30 pm, 07:00 pm to 09:00 pmFriday to Friday : 08:30 pm to 12:30 pm, 02:00 pm to 04:30 pmSaturday and Sunday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm
East	St Georges Clinic & Surgery	Dr Lee Siew Khim	3 St George’s Rd #01-105	6298 4833	Mon-Fri: 9am-1pm; 2.30pm-4.30pm (except Sat, Sun); 7pm-9pm (Fri, Sat, Sun)
East	Mediplus clinic	Dr Ho Lai Kwun	305 Ubi Ave 1 #01-177, Singapore 400305	6741 7958	Monday to Friday : 08:30 am to 12:30 am, 02:00 pm to 04:00 pm, 07:00 pm to 09:00 pmSaturday and Sunday : 08:30 am to 12:30 am
East	Chuah Clinic & Surgery	Dr Chuah Say Bah	113 ALJUNIED AVE 2, #01-19, Singapore 380113	67452104	Public Holiday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm; Monday to Friday : 08:30 am to 04:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm
East	Lifecare Medical Centre	DR Lee Wee Chieh	36 CIRCUIT ROAD, #01-416, Singapore 370036	67461533	Monday to Friday : 08:30 am to 03:00 pm, 06:30 pm to 09:00 pm; Saturday : 08:30 am to 12:00 pm; Sunday and Public Holiday : Closed
East	Advance Clinic & Surgery	Dr Lim Peng Keong	301 UBI AVE 1, #01-269, Singapore 400301	67421156	Monday to Friday : 08:30 am to 05:30 pm, 07:00 pm to 09:00 pm; Saturday : 08:30 am to 01:00 pm. Sunday: Closed
East	Lua Clinic & Surgery	Dr Lua Cheong Tiong	350 UBI AVE 1, #01-941, Singapore 400350	67450722	Monday to Friday : 08:30 am to 04:30 pm; Saturday : 08:30 am to 12:00 pm; Sunday and Public Holiday : Closed
East	Kallang Bahru Family Clinic	Dr Joseph Teo Boon Leng	66 KALLANG BAHRU, #01-485, Singapore 330066	62950010	Please call the clinic for operating hours.
East	Goh Medical Clinic	Dr Goh Mei Yin	136 POTONG PASIR AVE 3, #01-164, Singapore 350136	62827886	Monday to Tuesday : 08:30 am to 12:00 pm, 02:00 pm to 04:30 pm, 06:30 pm to 08:30 pm; Wednesday to Saturday : 08:30 am to 12:00 pm, 02:00 pm to 04:30 pm
East	Healthpro Clinic and Surgery	Dr Quah Siok Chuan	820 TAMPINES ST 81, #01-516, Singapore 520820	67833306	Monday to Friday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm, 02:00 pm to 04:00 pm, 06:30 pm to 09:00 pm; Saturday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm
North-East	Atrio (AMK)	Dr Tay Jun Min	532 ANG MO KIO AVENUE 10, #01-2461, CHENG SAN CENTRE Singapore 560532	64554282	Monday to Friday : 08:00 am to 02:00 pmTuesday to Wednesday : 08:00 am to 02:00 pm, 05:30 pm to 09:30 pmFriday : 08:00 am to 02:00 pm, 05:30 pm to 09:30 pmSaturday : 08:00 am to 02:00 pmSunday : 09:00 am to 02:00 pm
West	Caring Family Clinic	Dr Janice Choo	501 JURONG WEST STREET 51, #01-271, Singapore 640501	65645677	Monday to Friday : 08:30 am to 12:00 pm, 01:00 pm to 05:00 pmSaturday : 08:30 am to 01:00 pm
West	Teo Clinic & Surgery	Dr Teo Tiong Kiat	352 CLEMENTI AVE 2, #01-111, Singapore 120352	67760216	Public Holiday : 09:00 am to 12:00 pmMonday to Friday : 09:00 am to 04:30 pmSaturday : 09:00 am to 12:30 pm
West	Jo-Lin Family Clinic	Dr Josephine Lee	533 CHOA CHU KANG ST 51, SINGAPORE 680533	67606014	Monday to Friday: 8.30pm-12.30pm, 2-4pm (except Wed). Saturday: 8.30am-12.30pm
West	Teo Clinic & Surgery	Dr Teo Tiong Kiat	352 CLEMENTI AVE 2, #01-111, Singapore 120352	67760216	Public Holiday : 09:00 am to 12:00 pm; Monday to Friday : 09:00 am to 04:30 pm; Saturday : 09:00 am to 12:30 pm
West	MY Clinic	Dr Alan Liem and Dr Sabrina Yee	9 KING ALBERT PARK, #01-50, KAP Singapore 598332	66108335	Monday to Friday : 09:30 am to 01:00 pm, 02:30 pm to 05:00 pm; Saturday : 09:30 am to 01:00 pm; Sunday and Public Holiday : Closed
West	Chong Family Clinic	Dr Chong Wai Mun	Blk 442 Clementi Ave 3 #01-113 Singapore 120442	62661998	Monday and Tuesday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm, 02:00 pm to 04:00 pm, 06:30 pm to 09:00 pm; Tuesday and Thursday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm, 02:00 pm to 04:00 pm; Wednesday and Friday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm; Thursday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm, 02:00 pm to 04:00 pm, 06:30 pm to 09:00 pm; Saturday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm; Sunday and Public Holiday : Closed
North	G&H Medical Clinic	Dr Goh Cheng Hong	106 YISHUN RING ROAD, #01-173, Singapore 760106	67586322	Monday to Friday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm, 02:00 pm to 04:30 pm, 06:30 pm to 09:00 pmWednesday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm, 02:00 pm to 04:30 pmSaturday to Sunday : 08:30 am to 12:30 pm
North	Psalms Family Clinic	Dr Lim Sook Yean	293 YISHUN ST 22, #01-217, Singapore 760293	67583309	Monday to Friday : 08:30 am to 01:00 pm, 02:00 pm to 04:00 pmSaturday : 08:30 am to 01:00 pmSunday and Public Holiday : Closed
North	Pidemco Medical Clinic	Dr Jasmine Hui Meng Tong	156 Yishun St 11 #01-112 Singapore 760156	67560606	Mon to Fri: 10.30am-1pm (except Tue); 2-4pm (except Sat). Sunday (closed)