Canadian Patients
Great Lakes Surgical Associates is located in historic Lockport New York. Our Surgery Center is a 40
minute drive from both the Rainbow and Lewiston-Queenston Bridges. We focus on providing high
quality, easily-accessible, and affordable Upper Endoscopy (EGD) to our neighbors in southern Ontario.
Our Surgery Center is accredited by The U.S. Joint Commission, and our physicians are Board Certified
General Surgeons and Fellows of the American College of Surgeons.
Who Needs An Endoscopy (EGD):
An Upper Endoscopy (EGD) is a procedure and diagnostic test used to look at the inner lining of the upper digestive tract including the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). This test is also sometimes called an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, or EGD. It is a diagnostic test – not a treatment.
Upper Endoscopy (EGD) is used to identify disorders & diagnose symptoms that include:
- Heartburn/Acid Reflux/GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
Pain or burning in the throat (below the Adam’s Apple) or in the esophagus (down to your
stomach) - Barrett’s Esophagus & cancer of the esophagus
- Stomach Ulcers & cancer of the stomach
- Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)
Trouble swallowing, and narrowing (strictures) or blockages in the esophagus - Abnormal veins in your esophagus (esophageal varices)
If you have any concerns with these issues, don’t ignore them. It’s your body’s way of telling you to get help. Upper GI (gastro-intestinal) problems can get worse over time and can be very serious, even deadly. With proper and timely diagnosis, your physician can help prevent progression of disease and significantly minimize, or eliminate, ongoing symptoms.
Additional information about Heartburn/Acid Reflux/GERD:
According to recent FDA statistics, about 40% of patients with Heartburn or GERD continue to have symptoms while on medication ¹. Many also experience troubling side effects from those medications including increased fracture risk, low magnesium levels, and C-diff associated diarrhea²
When medication alone does not provide full symptom relief and stop disease progression, patients can experience serious problems, e.g., esophagitis, Barrett’s Esophagus, esophageal ulcers, trouble swallowing, and cancer of the esophagus.
All such patients should be evaluated with an UpperEndoscopy (EGD) to determine if a new treatment or procedural intervention would provide better clinical outcomes and quality of life than medication alone.
What To Except When Getting An Upper Endoscopy (EGD):
You should not eat anything within eight (8) hours of your EGD Test. You can drink clear liquids up to four (4) hours prior. Before the procedure, you will meet with your surgeon and nurse anesthetist. They will make sure you are ready, and answer any questions you may have. You are then brought to the endoscopy suite (special procedure room) where you are given IV sedation. Your vital signs will be monitored throughout the procedure. And once you are sedated, the EGD should not cause any pain.
The procedure takes about 30-60 minutes. A thin fiber-optic flexible endoscope (equipped with a camera and tools for micro-surgery) is threaded through the mouth and throat. This allows the surgeon to see inside your esophagus, stomach, and upper portion of the small intestine. Pictures and video may be taken. If anything looks suspicious, your surgeon will take a tissue biopsy and send it to the lab for evaluation.
After the procedure, your surgeon will let you know what he found. You will be given the operative report and any clinical recommendations for follow up. The report can also be sent to any other healthcare providers involved in your care. If any tissue biopsies were taken, we will send them to the lab and call you within 4-7 days to discuss the results. After the procedure, you may have mild throat irritation, but this usually subsides by the end of the day. You will also need to have a designated driver to bring you home. Check with our office if you have any other concerns.
The Process & The Cost:
We are dedicated to providing high quality, easily accessible and affordable Upper Endoscopy at our Surgery Center. We also want to make the process patient-friendly and straightforward, so you know exactly what to expect, and what you will pay, up front.
If you qualify for our discounted fee, the total cost of your Upper Endoscopy (EGD), including lab pathology, is $1,200 U.S. total ($400 deposit upon scheduling + $800 due at time-of-service). Please understand we require the deposit when you schedule because we are reserving an hour of time for you in our surgery center, including our entire clinical team.
This “all inclusive” package fee includes everything associated with your Upper Endoscopy (EGD) including the procedure, our facility, the surgical team, supplies, equipment, IV anesthesia, the clinical consult and written report, post-operative care, and any lab evaluation fees (if we take any tissue biopsies during the procedure). The fee offered here is all-inclusive and discounted from our usual fee schedule. It is not available to everyone. To qualify, you must certify that you do not have health insurance that would cover this procedure in the United States. You also agree to pay a deposit upon scheduling the procedure and, make the balance of payment on day of your procedure. No insurance claims will be filed on your behalf. If you schedule a procedure, and you are a “no-show”, without giving us at least 72 hours’ notice, you forfeit your deposit. If you cancel the procedure with at least 72 hours’ notice to us, we will gladly refund your deposit. Some patents with serious medical conditions may require this procedure be done in a hospital, but you will be pre-screened over the phone to ensure eligibility. You will be responsible for any follow up care that you may need after the procedure. Since an Upper Endoscopy (EGD) is a diagnostic test, you will be responsible for any follow up care or treatment you may need after the procedure.
To schedule an Upper Endoscopy (EGD), or if you have any questions, please call our office at
716.434.6141. We look forward to serving you and wish you the best in life and health!
References:
1. GERD Patient Study: Patients & Their Medications (AGA Institute)
2. fda.org/drugs/drugsafety/informationbydrugclass/ucm213259.htm
Better Health Care is Our Mission
Same Day Appointments are Available.
Phone:
716-434-6141
Fax:
716-434-0594
Email:
GreatLakesSurgery@Yahoo.com
Lockport Address:
160 East Ave.
Lockport, NY 14094
Kenmore Address:
2914 Elmwood Ave.
Kenmore, NY 14217
Appointments in Kenmore Office available by request