Endoscopy Services
1283 York Avenue, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10065
Schedule an Appointment
Call us today at (646) 962-4000 to schedule an appointment or complete our online form to request a screening colonoscopy.
If you need an exam to look at your gastrointestinal (GI) tract or the surrounding organs, then an endoscopy is performed. At Weill Cornell Medicine, our experts provide convenient, quality endoscopy services to help get to the bottom of your health issue. We have state-of-the-art equipment, and each patient has their own private room for assessment and recovery.
What is an Endoscopy?
An endoscopy gets its name from the tool it uses: a long, thin tube called an endoscope. A tiny camera at the end of the scope provides a real-time video feed of what is going on inside your body. Your provider reviews this video footage to identify a variety of health issues.
The procedure is known by many names, which often depend on what body part your provider investigates. Based on your needs, you may have one of the following:
● Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to access the bile duct, pancreatic ducts or any other blocked organ
● Colonoscopy for your entire colon
● Sigmoidoscopy for the bottom section of your colon
● Ultrasound of your GI tract and surrounding organs
● Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for your stomach and esophagus
Certain endoscopies allow physicians to combine diagnosis with treatment. For example, if an abnormal growth is found during a colonoscopy, your provider can remove the growth immediately. As a result, precancerous lesions don’t have the chance to become cancer. Cancerous cells removed this way have no chance to spread, which helps prevent the cancer from progressing and requiring additional treatment.
What Diseases Can Be Detected and Treated by Endoscopy?
Endoscopy can help detect and diagnose many diseases throughout the body. Your provider may use an endoscopic exam to diagnose one of the following:
● Cancer or polyps of the colon
● Cirrhosis of the liver
● Dysphasia
● Gallstones
● Gastrointestinal bleeding
● Jaundice
● Pancreas, liver and bile duct cancers
● Pancreatic cysts
● Pancreatitis
● Reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
● Submucosal lesions
● Ulcers
Endoscopy Services Offered at Weill Cornell Medicine
At Weill Cornell Medicine, our endoscopy and advanced endoscopy program offers all types of endoscopic testing. Our team keeps you informed and comfortable throughout your experience, and you’ll receive your results in a timely manner.
In the event we notice an abnormality, a member of our team contacts you immediately. We then discuss the need for further testing or treatment, and we guide you through the process, empowering you to maintain control every step along your health journey.
Patient Resources
What to Expect
You will lie down on a table either on your back or side, and your care team will monitor your vital signs, such as breathing, blood pressure and heart rate, during the procedure. You may receive a sedative through a vein to help make you more comfortable. As the endoscope goes down your esophagus, the camera will transmit images to a monitor for your provider to thoroughly examine the affected organ. If your provider needs to collect samples or remove polyps, they will use special tools to do so. The entire procedure typically lasts between 15 and 30 minutes.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
Preparing for your procedure depends on the type of endoscopy you are having. Your provider will give you specific instructions prior to your appointment. You may be required to fast to clear the stomach and intestines of any food particles or fluids. This will make it easier for the camera to visualize your organs and reduce the risk of complications.
You may also need to stop taking certain medications such as blood-thinning medications days before your endoscopy. Your provider will tell you which medications to stop and when. It’s important to inform your provider of any medications or supplements you currently take and follow your provider’s instructions.
Finally, because you will most likely receive a sedative to enhance comfort during the endoscopy, you may feel lightheaded or drowsy as the effects of the sedative subside. Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, and it might be helpful to take time off from work to rest and recover.
David H. Koch Center
Our innovative facility offers endoscopic services on an outpatient basis and aims to make your experience stress-free and convenient.
Your comfort is our top priority throughout the entire process. We understand even routine procedures can be daunting, especially for patients getting them for the first time. We’re committed to ensuring your wellbeing every step of the way.
Service in our state-of-the-art David H. Koch Center includes:
- Preparation and recovery in a private space
- Invitation for family members to join during preparation and recovery periods
Meet Our Doctors
Our board-certified gastroenterologists are experts in providing comfortable colonoscopies to screen, diagnose and treat gastrointestinal disorders. Learn more about our doctors who perform endoscopies.
