PRIVATE ENDOSCOPY CLINIC
Need a colonoscopy, gastroscopy or a consultation with a gastroenterologist quickly?
100 Rockland Road, Suite 110, Town of Mount Royal, QC, H3P 2V9.Colonoscopy and gastroscopy are performed at 300 Dunbar Avenue, Town of Mount Royal, QC H3P 2E5
This non-RAMQ private service is intended for people aged 18 and over.
These tests are used to screen
for certain digestive system pathologies.
General information
- Only one accompanying adult is permitted per patient
- It takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours from the time you arrive to the time you leave.
- You must be accompanied at discharge. You cannot drive or take public transport.
- Good preparation is essential. The intestine must be clean. In the case of a gastroscopy, no food in the stomach, and no stool in the case of a colonoscopy.
- If the doctor is unable to perform the examination due to inadequate preparation and you need to make another appointment, you will be charged a fee. This covers the costs associated with our appointment, including nursing staff, support staff and the time reserved for your procedure.
- Anyone coming for an endoscopic examination must be mobile and not require assistance with getting dressed or undressed or getting on or off a stretcher. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate patients in wheelchairs.
- We do not require a referral to perform the procedure. However, we would like to have the name of a physician on our registration and consent form to send a copy of your results.
Colonoscopy
What is a colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is an exam that allows the doctor to look at the wall of the colon and rectum using a camera.
How is the exam done?
Before you begin, you are given two medications: a sedative and a painkiller. These help you relax and reduce discomfort during the exam. The doctor inserts a flexible tube, the size of a finger, through the anus. This is the endoscope. It allows the doctor to see the intestinal wall and if needed take biopsies or remove polyps. The exam lasts approximately 20 minutes.
Are there any risks?
A colonoscopy is generally safe. The risks are very low.
- In rare cases, there is bleeding (less than 1/100 cases to 1/200 cases).
- In very rare cases the wall of the digestive tract can be pierced (perforation: less than 1/1000 to 1/2000 cases).
A nurse monitors your condition with the physician throughout the exam to avoid these complications.
Are there any contraindications?
There are very few contraindications, which are assessed on a case-by-case basis. However, if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, the nurse or doctor must be informed before the exam.
Gastroscopy
What is a gastroscopy?
A gastroscopy is a procedure that allows the doctor to view the inside of your upper gastrointestinal system. This procedure allows the doctor to screen, diagnose, and sometimes treat pathologies of the stomach.
What are the possible complications associated with the exam?
Complications following gastroscopy are rare. However, perforation of the wall or bleeding could occur. The risk is slightly higher if polyps are removed.
Preparation
Colonoscopy
How to prepare?
There are several things to do before the exam.
MEDICATION :
If you are taking any of the following medications :
- Medication that makes the blood thinner, such as anticoagulants and antiplatelets, please consult your prescribing doctor or pharmacist when and if you may stop these medications for your exam.
- Medication for diabetes, please consult your prescribing doctor or pharmacist when and if you may stop these medications for your exam.
SUPPLEMENTS :
Stop iron supplements 7 days prior to the exam.
SPECIAL DIET :
It is important to follow this diet so the doctor may have the best view of your colon. If the bowel preparation is not done well, the exam may need to be repeated.
3 days prior to the exam, do not take any :
- Bread or pasta made with whole grains (multigrain bread), whole grains, or brown rice.
- Milk, dairy products, or alternatives (soy milk, almond milk, etc.)
- Fruits or vegetables
- Legumes (red beans, lentils, chickpeas, etc.)
- Nuts and seeds
- Potato chips, popcorn, coconut, jams, sauces
PREPARATION THE DAY BEFORE YOUR EXAM
For your preparation, you must obtain:
- Colyte or Peglyte 4 liters
- Dulcolax: 2 tablets
You can obtain Colyte/Peglyte and Dulcolax tablets at your local pharmacy without a prescription.
What should you bring on the day of your exam?
- Complete and up-to-date list of your medications provided by your pharmacist.
- Leave your jewelry and valuables at home
What happens after the exam is completed?
You will stay under observation for approximately 30 minutes to ensure that you are well before leaving. The doctor will meet with you before you go.
You must be accompanied when you return home. Someone must stay with you for 24 hours following the procedure. Because of the medication administered before your procedure, your attention level may be less efficient 24 hours.
During this period:
- Do not drive a vehicle (car, motorcycle, bicycle)
- Do not use dangerous tools
- Do not make any critical decisions.
My exam is scheduled BEFORE NOON.
The day before the exam:
- Do not eat breakfast, lunch or supper.
- Throughout the day, drink clear liquids (see examples of clear fluids below)
- You can drink as many clear fluids as you want.
Between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.:
- Drink 3 liters of Colyte or Peglyte over 4 hours.
- If you have nausea or feel too bloated, drink more slowly.
At 9 p.m.:
- Take the 2 Dulcolax tablets.
The morning of the exam:
- 4 to 6 hours before your appointment, get up to drink the last liter of Colyte or Peglyte.
- You must drink the last liter within an hour. It is as early as possible, considering your scheduled exam time.
- Don’t have breakfast.
- Clear liquids are allowed up to 3 hours before your scheduled exam time.
My exam is scheduled IN THE AFTERNOON.
The day before the exam:
- Have a very light breakfast (2 slices of white bread with nothing on them).
- Don’t eat lunch or dinner.
- Throughout the day, drink clear fluids (see examples below).
- You can drink as many clear fluids as you want.
Between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.:
- Drink the first 2 liters of Colyte or Peglyte over the following 4 hours.
- If you have nausea or feel too bloated, drink more slowly.
At 9 p.m.:
- Take the 2 Dulcolax tablets.
The morning of the exam:
- Don’t have breakfast.
- 4 hours to 6 hours before your appointment. Take the last 2 liters of Colyte or Peglyte.
- You must drink the last 2 liters within an hour and a half.
- Clear liquids are permitted up to 3 hours before your scheduled exam time.
- Clear broth (beef, chicken without noodles or vegetables)
- Clear fruit juice without pulp (apple, white grape, white cranberry, grapefruit, orange).
- Black coffee, tea or tisane (without cream/milk, or sugar)
- Soft drinks (Ginger Ale, Seven Up, Sprite)
- Kool-Aid or Gatorade (except for the red)
- Jell-O or Popsicle (except for the red)
- Water or ice
Gastroscopy
Preparation for your gastroscopy procedure
- It is essential to fast for at least 8 hours before the exam. This includes food, water, chewing gum and hard candy.
- Most medication can be taken as usual.
- If you are taking blood-thinning medications, please consult your prescribing doctor or pharmacist when and if you may stop these medications for your exam.
- Unless advised otherwise by your prescribing doctor, you should avoid taking anti-inflammatory medication such as Advil, Motrin, Naprosyn or any natural products before your exam.
- If you have diabetes:
- And you take insulin; please consult your prescribing doctor or pharmacist when and if you may stop these medications for your exam.
- If you take antidiabetic medications other than insulin, do not take them the morning of your exam. Once your exam is over, you will be able to restart them with a meal at the time of your next scheduled dose during the day.
- If you take antidiabetic medication by injection (other than insulin) once a week, you can take it as scheduled, independently from the time and date of your exam.
- You should avoid any alcohol and tobacco consumption before your exam to avoid any interaction with the medications that are administered during the exam.
Once discharged from the Center, you must be accompanied by an adult. For safety reasons, you must not drive, leave alone, take a cab, or take public transport, as the medication you have been given during the examination may impair your alertness.
After the exam:
- It is safer to wait for one hour before drinking or eating. One should start by taking a small sip of water.
- You may feel numbness in your throat. This is due to the anesthetic spray used to freeze the throat. This symptom can last 60 to 90 minutes.
- After the exam, you may feel discomfort in your throat, which may last a few days. This will go away. Using tablets can help reduce this symptom.
- You may cough up blood-tinged saliva. This may last for a few days. There is no reason to worry. This will subside.
- You may feel bloated because of the air blown into your stomach during the procedure. Belching and walking will reduce these symptoms, which should eventually disappear.
- If you are vomiting blood and have acute abdominal pain and fever, call the Center to speak to a nurse or go immediately to the nearest emergency room, as these are symptoms and signs that should not be present after a routine gastroscopy.
- For the first 24 hours after the exam, you should not undertake any activity that requires attention, as the medications administered during the exam can affect this.
Terms and Conditions
- Cost: The cost of exam and services is as follows:
Colonoscopy (including the same-day consultation) 1 700 $
Gastroscopy (including the same-day consultation) 1 400 $
Applicable transport fees may apply for biopsies / polyps - Appointment Confirmation:
At the time of scheduling your appointment, we will require a preauthorization of 500$ on your credit card. No payment will be charged to the credit card at the time of scheduling unless it is five (5) business days or less before the date of the procedure. - Payment Collection:
Payment for the medical exam will be charged to the credit card on file five (5) business days prior to the scheduled date of the procedure. - Cancellation policy:
In the event of a cancellation on your part, you agree to pay Clinique d’endoscopie Mont-Royal the following amounts:
i. An amount representing 50% of the total invoice for any cancellation 5 business days or less before the scheduled date of the procedure.
ii. An amount representing 100% of the total invoice for any cancellation within 72 hours or less of the scheduled date of the procedure.However, in the event that you cancel due to illness (doctor’s certificate required) and wish to reschedule the day of the procedure, the amount will be retained and applied to the new rescheduled date of the procedure, as it would have been had there been no cancellation.
- Time of arrival:
Please arrive at least fifteen (15) minutes before your appointment. Any delay may jeopardize your appointment and result in the need to reschedule the procedure, subject to availability. Additional charges may apply. - Preparation:
If the doctor is unable to perform the exam due to inadequate bowel preparation, the cost of the procedure will not be refunded, due to the costs incurred for nursing, support staff, and the time allocated for your procedure. - Consent:
The day of the procedure, you will have to sign a consent form.
