Specialist care

Gastroscopy (upper endoscopy) in Slavuta

During a gastroscopy, the doctor examines your esophagus, stomach and duodenum with a thin flexible endoscope passed through the mouth and takes a biopsy if needed. The test is done with a numbing throat spray or, if you prefer, under anesthesia at Viva Clinic in Slavuta, and the exact address is confirmed when you book. It's free with an e-referral from your family doctor, and you can book by phone or on Viber.

Paid serviceGastroscopy and colonoscopy free with a referralBy appointment

Book: 068 539 50 24 Viber

An endoscopy room with a couch, an endoscope on its tower and a single-use mouthguard on a tray

At a glance

Where: 27a Sobornosti St or 3 Danyla Halytskoho St, Slavuta
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00–17:00
How to book: phone or Viber
Payment: paid; gastroscopy and colonoscopy are free with a family doctor’s e-referral

When you may need a gastroscopy

Heartburn or acid reflux on most days for several weeks
Pain or burning in the upper abdomen that won't go away
Difficult or painful swallowing
Weight loss for no clear reason, or anemia in your blood tests
Vomiting that keeps coming back
Stomach complaints that started for the first time after age 50
Stomach cancer in close relatives
Testing for Helicobacter pylori, or a check after ulcer treatment

What a gastroscopy includes

A doctor's consultation before the test
Examination of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum
Numbing throat spray, or anesthesia if you prefer
Consultation with an anesthesiologist before anesthesia
Biopsy with histology, if needed
The doctor's report right after the test

How to prepare for a gastroscopy

Your stomach must be empty, otherwise the doctor can’t see the lining. Following the recommendations of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE), don’t eat for at least 6 hours before the test. You can drink water and other clear drinks without milk until 2 hours before it. If your gastroscopy is in the morning, simply skip breakfast.

If you take medicines regularly, especially blood thinners or diabetes medicines, tell the doctor in advance and don’t stop them on your own. Bring your referral, reports from previous gastroscopies, test results and a list of your medicines. Removable dentures are taken out before the test. If you’ve chosen anesthesia, arrange for someone to take you home: you can’t drive that day.

How the test is done

A gastroscopy is also known as an upper endoscopy or EGD, and your referral may use the full name, esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Before the test, the doctor asks about your symptoms, illnesses and medicines and checks for any contraindications. If you’ve chosen anesthesia, an anesthesiologist sees you as well.

You lie on your left side, and a mouthguard is placed between your teeth. If you’re not having anesthesia, your throat is sprayed with a local anesthetic so the endoscope passes more easily. The doctor puts in a little air to open up the folds and examines the esophagus, stomach and duodenum in turn. If needed, they take a biopsy, a tiny piece of the lining for histology, including to test for Helicobacter pylori. You won’t feel the biopsy.

A gastroscopy is usually unpleasant but not painful. The gag reflex is the hardest part as the endoscope passes through the throat, so breathe slowly and evenly. If you feel very anxious or have a strong gag reflex, you can have the test under anesthesia, and then you’ll be asleep. The test itself usually takes 15–30 minutes.

What happens after a gastroscopy

After the throat spray your throat stays numb for a while, so don’t eat or drink for about an hour. After anesthesia you rest under observation until you’re fully awake. Your throat may be a little sore and your stomach bloated, and this usually passes quickly.

The doctor explains what they saw right after the test, and the biopsy result will be ready later. Take the report back to the doctor who referred you. If you had a gastroscopy because of heartburn or stomach pain, read how doctors test for and treat gastritis.

Call an ambulance on 103 if after the test you get severe chest or abdominal pain, vomit blood, have trouble breathing or notice black stools.

How to get a gastroscopy for free

Viva Clinic has a contract with the National Health Service of Ukraine (NSZU) for gastroscopy. The test is free with an electronic referral from the family doctor, internist or pediatrician you’ve signed a declaration with. With a referral from a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist, a gastroscopy is free for patients aged 50 and older. In that case NSZU covers the consultations with the doctor and the anesthesiologist, local or general anesthesia, and a biopsy with histology if needed. Without a referral, the gastroscopy is paid. When you book, give the e-referral number, which you get from the doctor who referred you.

If you don’t have a referral, start with your family doctor or a consultation with a gastroenterologist in Slavuta. Gastroscopy is done at Viva Clinic in Slavuta, and the exact address is confirmed when you book, so you don’t need to travel to Khmelnytskyi or Kyiv for it. The clinic also offers abdominal ultrasound and other tests.

Questions about gastroscopy

Can I get a free gastroscopy in Slavuta?

Yes, with an electronic referral from the family doctor, internist or pediatrician you've signed a declaration with. With a referral from a specialist, the test is free if you're 50 or older. In that case NSZU also covers the anesthesia and the biopsy with histology. Without a referral, a gastroscopy at Viva Clinic is paid.

How long should I not eat before a gastroscopy?

At least 6 hours, as recommended by the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE). You can drink water and other clear drinks without milk until 2 hours before the test. If your gastroscopy is in the morning, simply skip breakfast, and discuss your regular medicines with the doctor in advance.

Can I have a gastroscopy under anesthesia?

Yes, at Viva Clinic a gastroscopy can be done under anesthesia if you prefer. If NSZU covers the test with a referral, the anesthesia is free for you too. An anesthesiologist sees you beforehand. After anesthesia, arrange for someone to take you home, because you can't drive that day.

Does a gastroscopy hurt?

It's usually unpleasant but not painful. The gag reflex causes most of the discomfort as the endoscope passes through the throat, which is why the throat is numbed with a spray. If you feel very anxious or have a strong gag reflex, you can have the test under anesthesia.

When can I eat after a gastroscopy?

After about an hour, once the numbness in your throat from the spray has worn off. Start with a small sip of water, and if it's easy to swallow, you can eat as usual. If a biopsy was taken or you had anesthesia, the doctor will tell you whether any extra restrictions apply.

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