What happens during endoscopy procedure?

There's really no need to worry.  I had an endoscopy several months ago and was very worried about it but it was much better than I thought it was going to be.  You don't need to take any clothes off by the way so you can wear what you like. I opted for not having sedation which meant I could go home almost straight away, well, after a drink. You ask how long it takes, mine took about five minutes which I believe is normal, unless you make life difficult for them by making a fuss!!  My husband had gone with me but he had to sit outside while they did it as the endoscopy room had a couple of nurses and the doctor and there wasn't much room for anyone else in there.. They take you into the room, spray the back of your throat to numb it and that was the worst bit, (it tasted horrible) then you lie on a bed on your side, they dim the lights and the doctor will talk you through what he's doing.  I concentrated on swallowing as the camera went down which was a great help and I didn't gag like I thought I would because I think the swallowing stops you gagging.  The procedure is quick, the doctor told me what he'd found or not found and told me when he was going to take the camera out and I gagged once that was all. He was so impressed at how calm I was and he said he should have made a video to show his nervous patients (if only he knew I was one of them!!!) I was given a print out of the results, I sat and had a drink and  that was it, I went home, well I didn't really, my husband and I left the hospital and drove down to Devon for a few days, nothing to do with the endoscopy. I could eat when i wanted although my throat was slightly sore for a few hours but absolutely no ill effects.  I spoke to a man who had had the sedation and he was jealous that I was able to go home and he had to sit around for an hour or so after so I should think carefully about whether you want sedation as it's so quick and your throat is numb so I really don't see the point of it.  Hope this helps.  Good luck.

2) If you do not have the sedative and only the throat numbing spray you can leave immediately. With the sedative you have to remain there for a few hours.

3) You will not be asleep during the procedure. It is quite uncomfortable as you have to lie on your side, but luckily it is only 4-5 minutes as I mentioned.

4) You can be accompanied but I don't think they are allowed in the procedure room.

5) I actually walked home 5 minutes after having it done and was back in my local pub about 90 minutes afterwards.

The only thing I would say is when the tube is down your throat it can make you gag (it's about 3/4 inch diameter), I was dribbling saliva and sweating profusely but as it's only short it's manageable - I've had worse done to me.

I would personally not have sedation, I saw the others on the same day who had took sedation and I don't think it makes this particular procedure any more pleasant and the fact you have to stay hours after the procedure didn't appeal to me.

Novaka, in spite of several messages saying its quick etc. you still don't seem to have had your mind put at east.  Sedation is only supposed to make you feel sleepy, it's not an anaesthetic.  I believe the sedative is given through a needle into a vein and I can't believe that that is better than just a spray down the throat.  You haven't had a reply to your question of the side effects of the sedative, this is because everyone who has answered hadn't had it so I suppose it would be good if someone who had had the sedative could let you know the answer.

You say you have bad reactions at being woken up by other people and wouldn't want to wake up alone, I have to say that I would be more worried about your bad reaction to being woken up than by the endoscopy.  I suppose you could explain your problem so that they could fetch your boyfriend but if the room you have it done in is anything like the one I had my endoscopy done in it might be rather cramped so that might not be possible. If you don't have the sedation you shouldn't fall asleep so your problem will not arise.  By the way, as your boyfriend seems to be the only person you can wake up with I just hope you don't have a falling out and he leaves you.