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Frequently Asked Questions

This section contains the most important information. Commonly asked questions are answered  here. The information includes connection to the sites where your procedure will be scheduled; whether it is a diagnostic study such as an X Ray, endoscopic procedure or surgery 80 to 90% of the information should be found in this section. If after visiting this section you still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 214.824.1730. It is imperative that you read the section with universal instructions since it has important steps to follow.

Universal Instructions

FAQ Endoscopy Procedures

About Physician Qualifications

Glossary of common terms

Universal Instructions

• Report to the instructed location at the date and time indicated.

• ALL CHECK- IN TIMES AND PROCEDURES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, DUE TO CANCELLATIONS AND EMERGENCY SURGERIES.

• REMEMBER: DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT. Unless indicated otherwise

• Make sure you have taken the preparation (laxatives, enemas, etc.) if instructed to do so. Times and doses vary based on the timing of the procedure. Make sure you know when to start taking your prep.

• MAY TAKE ALL REGULAR MEDICATIONS EXCEPT ALL BLOOD THINNERS (ASPIRIN, MOTRIN, COUMADIN, PLAVIX ETC…) 5-7 DAYS BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE. Unless indicated otherwise. Tylenol is OK to take.

• FOR DIABETIC PATIENTS: The day before your procedure you may take your diabetic medication, but cut your dose in half. The day of the procedure, DO NOT take any diabetic medication but bring it with you. You will be able to take it after you have something to eat. Check your blood sugar levels regularly.

• YOU MUST HAVE SOMEONE DRIVE YOU HOME AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL or FACILITY. The hospital or facility will not let you leave under any circumstances without someone to drive you home. TAXI RIDES ARE NOT ALLOWED!

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Frequent Questions for Endoscopic Procedures

Can I continue to take my regular maintenance medication?

Yes, you may continue your regular maintenance medication as long as it is not a blood thinner or diabetes medication.

How long will I be at the facility?

For outpatient procedures you will be there from check in to check out, approximately 3 to 3 ½ hours.

Why do I need someone to drive me home, can I take a cab?

For your own safety. You will be required to arrange for a responsible person to escort you home after your examination. Even though you will be awake by the time you are discharged, the medication used to sedate you will cause a change in your reflexes and judgment, similar to the effect of alcohol.

How will I feel after the procedure?

After endoscopic procedures, you will feel groggy, maybe some gas cramps. You will want to go home and take a nap but by the next day you will feel like your normal self. For after surgeries symptoms, please refer to that section.

How soon will I know the results of the test?

You will know immediately after the test if any polyps or anything abnormal was found and removed. All polyps and biopsies are sent for pathology and those results usually take about 5 business days to come back.

Do I need to contact my Insurance Company to notify them of my procedure?

No, your doctor's office will contact your insurance company and pre-certify your procedure. If there are any problems with your insurance, your doctor's office will notify you. It never hurts to double check.

I am a diabetic, do I need to do different bowel prep?

You will need to do the bowel prep that your doctor prescribed for you. The day before your procedure, you will be required to stay on clear liquids. The clear liquid diet will be sufficient for you. If you start to feel shaky, you may want to drink a soda or juice. The day before your procedure you will want to take your diabetic medication, but cut your dose in half. The day of the procedure, DO NOT take any diabetic medication but bring it with you. You will be able to take it after you have something to eat.

On my instructions it states not to eat or drink anything red or purple, but I take medication that is red, it that OK?

If you take any maintenance medication and it is red or purple; that will be ok to take. It will not hurt your bowel preparation.

How much will the procedure cost?

Our Patient Representative can provide you with “an estimate” of the facility fee based on your scheduled procedure. Please understand what is included in your facility fee and what is not.

Your facility fee includes the following:
* Procedure room
* Recovery room
* Medical equipment
* Medications and supplies

The facility fee does not include:
* Physician Fees
* Anesthesia Services (Anesthesiologist/CRNA)
* Laboratory testing
* Pathology
* X Rays

Any additional procedures performed or surgical supplies/ implant materials utilized in your surgery or procedure may be added at the time of billing.

Payments can be made by Cash, Check, Master Card, Visa or American Express.

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Physician Qualifications

FACS: What does this mean?

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is a scientific and educational association of surgeons that was founded to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient by setting high standards for surgical education and practice. Members of the American College of Surgeons are referred to as "Fellows." The letters FACS (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) after a surgeon's name mean that the surgeon's education and training, professional qualifications, surgical competence, and ethical conduct have passed a rigorous evaluation, and have been found to be consistent with the high standards established and demanded by the College. Learn more at www.facs.org.

FASCRS: What does this mean?

The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons is a national association of colon and rectal surgeons and other surgeons dedicated to advancing and promoting the science and practice of the treatment of patients with diseases and disorders affecting the colon, rectum and anus. It is dedicated to assuring high quality patient care by advancing the science through research and education for prevention and management of disorders and diseases of the colon, rectum and anus. The society believes that people deserve the best quality care for these diseases. Improvement in recognition, treatment and ultimate eradication of these diseases is enhanced by the professionalism, development of knowledge and dissemination of information fostered by the fellowship of Society members. The letters FASCRS (Fellow of the American Society of Colorectal Surgeons) after a surgeon's name mean that the surgeon's education and training, professional qualifications, surgical competence, and ethical conduct have has met rigorous standards and has been found to be consistent with the standards established and demanded by the Society. Learn more at www.fascrs.org.

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GLOSSARY

Anemia.

A condition in which the number of red blood cells, the amount of hemoglobin, and/or the volume of packed red blood cells is much less than normal. This is sometimes called a low red blood cell count.

Antidiarrheal.

An agent that helps control diarrhea.

Antispasmodic. 

A drug that decreases some of the contractors of the smooth muscle of the small intestine or colon.

Barium enema.

A diagnostic procedure in which x-rays are taken after barium sulfate is introduced into the patient by enema. The barium sulfate is opaque to x-rays and thus outlines the colon and rectum so that they show up clearly in the x-ray films.

Chronic.

Of long duration, often for months, years, or a lifetime.

Colitis.

Inflammation of the colon.

Colonoscope.

A long, flexible tube, with illumination by fiberoptic light, or by video-computer chip technology.

Crohn’s colitis.

Crohn’s disease that involves the colon.

Enteritis.

Inflammation of the intestine.

Fistula.

An abnormal passageway between two internal organs or between an internal organ and the outside of the body. In patients with IBD, the connection can occur between two loops of the intestine or between the intestine and another structure such as the bladder, vagina, or skin. Fistulas are much more common in Crohn’s disease than in ulcerative colitis.

Hyperalimentation.

A means of supplying extra nutrients, by either mouth or vein, for patients who have increased nutritional needs or decreased capacity to obtain nutrition naturally.

Ileitis.

Inflammation of the ileum.

Ileocolitis.

Inflammation of the ileum and colon.

Ileostomy.

The surgical creation of an opening from the ileum to the surface of the body.

Ileum.

The lowest part or end of the small intestine.

Intestinal obstruction.

A blockage of the small or large intestine preventing the normal passage of intestinal contents. In Crohn’s disease, obstruction may be caused by narrowing of the intestine due to inflammation or scarring.

Intravenous feeding.

The infusion of a solution through a vein in order to improve fluid, mineral, or nutritional intake.

Peer support group.

A group of people having the same problems that gathers to share information, experience, fears, and tips, and to provide one another with emotional support.

Perforation.

An abnormal hole in the wall of a hollow organ. Such a hole in the bowel wall can cause intestinal contents to enter the normally sterile abdominal cavity, causing peritonitis.

Peritonitis.

Inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum).

Proctitis.

Inflammation of the rectum.

Proctoscope.

A tube through which the interior of the rectum can be examined.It has a light designed to illuminate the interior wall of the rectum.

Sigmoidoscope.

A flexible lighted tube used to look into the rectum and sigmoid colon. Small bowel follow-through. A diagnostic procedure in which barium liquid is drunk and fluoroscopic observations can be made and x-rays taken as the barium passes through the small intestine. (See upper GI series.)

Small intestine.

The longest part of the digestive tube, connecting the stomach to the colon. The small intestine, which is divided into the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, is the organ responsible for most of the digestion and absorption of food.

Stoma.

Any surgically created opening.In cases of intestinal disease, it usually denotes an opening created by bringing a portion of the small or large intestine to the surface of the abdominal wall.

Sulfasalazine.

A medication combining a sulfa compound with a drug from the aspirin family. Sulfasalazine is often used in the treatment of IBD.

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

The feeding of a solution of nutrients through a catheter (tube) placed in a large vein. TPN is used to provide extra nutritional support for severely ill or malnourished patients, to rest the bowel, to prepare poorly nourished patients for surgery, and to restore poorly nourished patients after surgery.

Ulcer.

An open sore on any surface such as the skin or the inner lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

Ulcerative colitis.

A chronic, inflammatory disease of the lining of the large intestine (colon).

Upper GI series.

A series of x-rays taken after the patient swallows a liquid containing barium. The barium liquid is opaque to x-rays and therefore helps to outline the upper GI tract.

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