EMR is a technique for safely removing either large or suspicious looking lesions from the gastrointestinal tract using endoscopy rather than surgery. These polyps are more likely to progress to cancer and removing them at endoscopy prevents cancer developing. Removing larger polyps does carry a higher risk of complications such as bleeding and perforation so the removal needs to be carried out with great care.
The procedure involves injecting fluid under the lesion to create a cushion. This allows for safe removal of quite large polyps in expert hands. Electrical current is also usually used to cauterise the wound and decrease the immediate bleeding risk. Metal clips can be used to treat complications such as bleeding or perforation but occasionally blood transfusion, repeat procedures and even surgery may be required. Close follow up is often necessary a few months after resection to ensure there is no early re-growth of these more aggressive polyps.
Before your Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR), you will have a consultation with your gastroenterologist to discuss the procedure and address any concerns. Proper preparation is crucial for a successful outcome, ensuring your comfort and safety.
For best results, the colon must be completely free of waste material. Gold Coast Endoscopy have a specific diet that they believe provides the best results in emptying the colon.
The diet consists of Low Residue (or low fibre) foods and is commenced approximately 4 days before the procedure. A clear fluid diet is commenced the day before the procedure, as well as a laxative medication that needs to be consumed as per the diet sheet provided to patients at the time of booking.
NOTE: There is a separate diet sheet for appointments in the morning and afternoon. These instructions may vary depending on symptoms and patient history. Please follow the diet instructions provided at time of booking.
Preparation kits must be collected at least one week before the procedure.
Be prepared to pay your hospital excess or hospital fee on the day of your procedure if not already done.
To ensure the safety of your belongings, we recommend leaving valuables at home.
You should bring a book or magazine as delays may occur despite our endeavours to avoid them. They usually relate to a greater period of time than expected being required for individual patients.
For any questions about preparation or admission, feel free to contact our clinic prior to your visit.
You will be transferred to the recovery area where you will remain until the effects of all medication have worn off.
A light snack is provided.
You may experience some wind discomfort following the procedure although this usually passes quickly. Some bleeding may occur for a few days after the procedure. If you have any concerns, please contact our office immediately or 13 HEALTH if out of business hours.
If you experience any significant pain, black tarry stools or persistent bright bleeding in the hours or up to 7 to 10 days following colonoscopy +/-polypectomy, you should immediately contact Gold Coast Endoscopy or present to the nearest private/public hospital emergency department.
You will be provided with a summary of the findings from your procedure before you leave. A full report will be sent to your GP within 5-10 business days.
Due to the sedation you will receive for the procedure, you will need someone to drive you home, and it will not be safe for you to drive until the morning after your procedure. Additionally, a responsible adult must stay with you overnight to ensure your safety during your recovery.
You may have 1 standard beer or 1 glass of white wine per day on the Low Residue Diet.
Once on the Clear Fluids Diet, no alcohol is permitted.
Our diet sheet is specifically designed to provide the best view to the doctor during the procedure, therefore there are no substitutions to the items on the diet sheet. If you have accidentally eaten something not on the list during your diet period, please contact our rooms for advice.
The advice on this comes from the hospital/day surgery. Currently you do not need to remove nail polish or fake nails for the procedure. This advice can be changed by the hospital at any time, and we will update this site as needed.
All patients require a referral for appointments.
GP referrals are valid for 12 months for the same ongoing concern. If it’s a different issue or more than 12 months have passed, you will need a new referral.
Referrals must be sent to our office before your appointment. Not supplying the referral may delay your consultation or procedure.
This depends on your GP referral and your medical history and medication. You may also elect to have a consultation first. Please contact our office for more details.
All paitents over the age of 80 having a colonoscopy will be required to have a consultation first, to ensure safety to undertake the preparation.
You will need to contact your fund to check if you are covered, when you make a booking you are provided with the item numbers for your procedure either in your booking email or on the appointment sheet. You will need to have been in your fund for longer than 12 months with private hospital cover at a minimum to be covered.
It is the patient's responsibility to ensure they are covered.
Generally, you can be at the hospital or day surgery for anywhere up to 4 hours.
Most people are fine to return to work the day after the procedure. We can supply a medical certificate for the day of the procedure and the day before the procedure when you are taking the preparation. Please ask our office prior to the procedure or ask the doctor on the day of your procedure, and this can be organised for you.
Clear fluids are any liquid that you can see through, and is residue free or strained.
Specialist/Hospital Fees: Contact Gold Coast Endoscopy at 07 5690 1661 or info@endogc.com.au for the latest fees.
Anaesthetist Fees: Advised within the week of the procedure, with an estimated fee provided during booking.
Pathology Charges: Our current pathology provider bills directly to Medicare or your health fund. If you receive an invoice please contact Gold Coast Endoscopy.
If you need to pay your hospital excess or hospital fee, you will need to bring the payment with you. Please don’t bring any valuables with you.
You should bring a book or magazine as delays may occur despite our endeavours to avoid them. They usually relate to a greater period of time than expected being required for individual patients.
This depends on the severity of your problem: If you have been drinking the prep down in large quantities at once, try sipping the prep and alternating with lemonade or clear apple juice. If you have been drinking it down slowly and in small amounts and are vomiting constantly, are light-headed, or dizzy, please seek medical advice as soon as possible.
You may experience some cramping while taking the prep, this is generally the prep working, if drinking more fluids and paracetamol does not help. Please seek medical advice as soon as possible.
You can call our rooms on 07 5690 1661 during business hours or call 13HEALTH (13 49 85 24) for after hours for advice.
You should wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes.
Present to the main reception of the hospital/day surgery for directions.
Hospital-specific instructions:
Pindara Private Hospital: Drop off at Allchurch Avenue or via the multi-storey car park on Carrara Street. Use Level 2 of the car park, take the lift to Level 2 of the medical centre, turn left, and follow the bridge to the rear reception.
John Flynn Hospital: Drop off at the front entrance; proceed to the main reception on the Ground Floor.
Pindara Day Procedure Centre: Turn off Carrara street in Benowa at Number 13. There is a drop off point and turning bay on your left approximately 100-150 metres along the driveway. The day surgery is located on the Ground Floor of Pindara Place.
Tweed Day Surgery: Drop off at the main entrance, proceed to the first floor. Stairs are on the right; lift is near Sullivan and Nicolaides.
Gold Coast Private Hospital: Drop off at the main reception on Hill Street. Reception is to the left upon entry.
Miami Private Hospital: Drop off at the main entrance on Hillcrest Parade. Reception is just inside the door.
The sedation you are provided can impair your decision making and ability to operate machinery including a vehicle. You will be affected by the medication for 12 hours after the procedure.
When you have had a sedation and a procedure. There is a slight risk that you may feel unwell after the procedure, and we require you to have someone there to check on you should this happen.
Yes, you will speak to the doctor before your procedure on the day. They will review your referral, go through your symptoms, and answer your questions.
Book an appointment or send a referral today — our team will be in touch within one business day.
