FAQ

Yes.  We are located at 40 Holly Street, suite #301 and have plenty of paid parking garages on Holly Street. Someone must return to pick you up following your procedure.  You will not be able to leave the clinic unaccompanied.

Yes. Please call us to confirm your appointment at least 5 days in advance. There will be a fee of $200.00 for any cancellation made within 3 business days prior to the procedure. 

You also need to bring your Ontario Health Card (OHIP) with you at the time of your appointment. 

All new patients must be referred to Holly Endoscopy Clinic by a physician. 

A colonoscopy involves the insertion of a flexible tube (colonoscope) through the anus and rectum to examine the entire colon. A tiny camera at the end of the scope allows the physician who is administering the procedure to see inside your colon. 

For a gastroscopy, the physician places a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope through your mouth and into your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (which is the first portion of your small intestine).

You should feel little or, more likely, no pain at all. You will be sedated and awakened when it is all over. The sedation for the procedure is administered by anesthesiologists who have had formal training.

Patients who have serious medical issues are assessed and, if necessary, have their procedures performed in the hospital. The remainder, i.e. the vast majority, can have their procedures administered out of hospital in a reliably safe setting such as the Holly Endoscopy Clinic. 

Endoscopy procedures including colonoscopies and gastroscopies are typically very safe, routine procedures. With appropriately selected patients, the risk at Holly Endoscopy Clinic is no different than procedures performed in a hospital setting. During the procedure and in the recovery process, your blood pressure and oxygen levels are continuously monitored. Highly trained professionals are supervising the procedure at all times.

Our clinic is staffed by both male and female anaesthesiologists, gastrointestinal specialists, including gastroenterologists, internal medicine specialists and general surgeons. All are experienced in providing the highest quality care. 

That depends on the procedure, the patient and what the physician finds, but, including the time allotted for you to wake from sedation, you should plan for one and a half to two hours. 

No. In fact, after being sedated, you should not drive for 24 hours. You must arrange for a responsible adult to pick you up at Holly Endoscopy Clinic once your procedure is complete. We even recommend that the individual stay with you for 3-4 hours after pick-up.

Preparing for a colonoscopy is definitely not a fun thing to do.  It is important, however, to ensure the successful completion of your procedure by following your doctor’s prescribed preparations. Should you want to make any changes to your prescribed approach, it is important to first check with the Clinic.   

You will have loose bowel movements with the preparation. Occasionally, some patients have very little results with the first half of the prep, but the second half effectively cleans out your bowel. The key principle is to ensure that you drink 1 glass of clear liquid every hour during the preparation period. In particular, we encourage you to use clear sports drinks such as Gatorade. Some diabetic patients may prefer to consume Gatorade2 which contains half the sugar.

We also recommend that you stay near a washroom during this preparatory period.

You will be sedated and awakened when it is all over. The sedation for the procedure is administered by anesthesiologists.

No. We don’t recommend it.

Your endoscopist will inform you about when you may resume your regular medication schedule.