Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) in Illinois

Prior to your procedure, we will give you detailed instructions on preparing for your EUS. You will likely be able to eat normally the day before your exam but will need to stop taking anything by mouth after midnight aside from medication. We will provide particular instructions, however, regarding medications, particularly for those taking blood thinners and diabetics.

We will ask you to arrive for your procedure about 1 – 1.5 hours early so you can fill out paperwork and get prepped for the exam. We'll have you change into a medical gown and insert an IV catheter into your arm for sedation administration. You will also be connected to state-of-the-art technology, which will allow our team to monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, pulse, oxygen, and more during your exam.

After you settle into your exam room, we'll have you lay on your left side while we start the sedation. The sedation will start slow to ensure you don't have any reactions and only receive the amount you need. From there, the endoscope will be entered into your mouth and snaked through the esophagus, stomach, and first portion of the small intestine (duodenum). We will shoot a small amount of air through the endoscope to help your provider get a better view of your GI tract. If there is remaining fluid, it will be suctioned out. Depending on what we find, we may perform a biopsy, remove polyps, or something else. After we're done, we will suction out as much of the remaining air and fluid as we can. Depending on our findings, an EUS takes between 30 – 60 minutes.

One of our team members will take you to a private recovery area where you can rest while the sedation wears off. The more sedation you require, the longer this process will take. Many of our patients are able to be released after about 45 – 60 minutes. It's important to bring a friend or family member with you. You will need someone to drive you home, as you won't be able to drive the remainder of the day. You also will not be able to sign legal documents, participate in physical activity, or work. You should be able to eat like normal, although we may give you specific instructions regarding medications.

After your endoscopic ultrasound, we'll go over the findings with you. We encourage you to bring a trusted friend or family member with you, as you may not remember all of the details following your procedure. We will also give you written information for you to look back on in the coming days. If a biopsy was necessary, those results are typically available within a week.