Gentle Gastroscopy — stomach examination.
Gastroscopy shows the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum directly and makes it possible to take tissue samples or reliably detect Helicobacter pylori. With us gentle, with sedation — you sleep during the examination.
When does a gastroscopy make sense?
- Persistent heartburn or reflux complaints.
- Stomach pain, upper abdominal pressure, nausea.
- Black stool.
- Difficulty swallowing, unexplained iron-deficiency anaemia.
- Suspected Helicobacter pylori, gastric mucosal inflammation or ulcers.
- Follow-up after diagnosed changes.
How does the examination work?
The endoscopy itself usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. With admission, sedation and observation, please plan around 90 minutes for the visit.
You sleep gently throughout the examination — you will feel neither the endoscope nor any tissue sampling. You receive the written report immediately. If tissue samples are taken, they go to the histology lab — the histology report usually arrives within about 10 days.
Preparation — step by step
The notes below are general guidance. What applies are the written instructions you receive at appointment booking.
Day before the examination
- Last solid meal at least 6 hours before the appointment. For morning examinations this means: a light dinner the evening before (e.g. soup, light bread), no heavy or hard-to-digest food.
- Blood thinners (e.g. Marcoumar, Sintrom, Eliquis, Xarelto, Pradaxa, Plavix, ASA): please discuss with us in advance — some need to be paused or switched.
Day of the examination
- Come on an empty stomach: nothing to eat from 6 hours before the appointment. Clear liquids are allowed up to 3 hours before the appointment — but no coffee, no black tea.
- Do not smoke on the examination day — it affects the gastric mucosa and the assessment.
- Dentures must be removed before the examination. Please bring a storage box.
- Taxi, public transport or an accompanying person for the way home — due to the sedation you must not drive for 24 hours.
- Bring: e-card, current medication list, prior reports.
- Referral: please bring it at check-in, not first on the examination day.
After the examination
- A slight scratchiness in the throat is normal and passes quickly.
- The first hour after sedation in our observation, afterwards home with company.
- For 24 hours: no driving, no alcohol, no important decisions.
- For severe pain, vomiting of blood or persistent nausea: please contact us immediately. If we cannot be reached, please dial 144 (Vienna emergency services).
Insurance & cost
We bill all statutory health insurers (ÖGK, BVAEB, SVS, KFA) as well as private. The sedation cost has been covered by the insurers since 2018.
Appointment or question?
Appointment: +43 1 890 56 72 Request a callback
Tip: download consent and history forms in advance — saves time on the examination day.