Endoscopy Forest Hill
Understanding Endoscopy
Digestive discomfort can interfere with your comfort, energy, and day-to-day life. If you’re experiencing persistent abdominal pain, irregular bowel movements, or signs such as bleeding, it’s understandable to want clarity and reassurance quickly.
Your digestive system plays a central role in overall health, but symptoms like pain, bleeding, or changes in bowel habits may point to problems that need closer investigation. That’s where an endoscopy procedure with an experienced surgeon, such as Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam, may help.
What is an Endoscopy Procedure?
During an endoscopy, your surgeon uses a fine flexible camera to view the oesophagus, stomach, small bowel, and colon, helping your surgeon assess and diagnose digestive concerns such as liver disease, ulcers, colorectal cancer, and inflammatory bowel disorders.
Gastroscopies and colonoscopies are common types of endoscopy used to examine the digestive system. A gastroscopy investigates the upper tract, while a colonoscopy focuses on the large bowel and rectum. For people across Forest Hill and regional Victoria, these procedures often deliver important answers and next steps for care.
Your Endoscopy Procedure With Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam
With a commitment to excellence and patient wellbeing, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam provides care that exceeds expectations. Using the latest techniques and a thoughtful, empathetic approach, his team strives to make each patient’s endoscopy experience as calm and supportive as possible.
Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam conducts each procedure according to the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. Colonoscopy and gastroscopy services are performed under the Colonoscopy Clinical Care Standard to promote safety and quality outcomes.
- Full gastroenterology support and treatment options
- Diagnostic and treatment-focused procedures
- Contemporary facilities designed for patient comfort and care
- Empathetic and personalised care
Sometimes, waiting lists can postpone a diagnosis that needs to be made sooner. To support patients requiring timely assessment, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam provides open-access endoscopy, allowing procedures to be booked immediately after a Telehealth or in-person consultation. His team carefully prioritises each case based on clinical need.
Referring doctors who feel their patient may benefit from this option are encouraged to note it when sending the referral via email.
Our Endoscopy Services
Gastroscopy
Gastroscopy is an endoscopic procedure that examines the upper part of the digestive system, the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum. It’s commonly performed to assess symptoms such as reflux, nausea, abdominal discomfort, or unexplained anaemia, and may reveal inflammation, ulcers, or other abnormalities.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is a form of endoscopy designed to inspect the large bowel, including the rectum and colon. It plays a vital role in detecting colorectal cancer, finding and removing polyps, and assessing issues such as bleeding, long-term diarrhoea, or altered bowel patterns. Each year, more than one million colonoscopies are carried out in Australia.
Ready to find clarity and discuss possible treatment pathways?
Your Endoscopy Forest Hill Questions Answered
When should I have an endoscopy?
Australians aged 45 to 74 are eligible for free bowel screening tests through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. Yet, anyone with symptoms such as abdominal pain, reflux, bleeding, swallowing problems, altered bowel habits, or unexpected weight loss should seek medical advice and discuss whether endoscopy is appropriate.
How do I prepare for a gastroscopy?
Preparation steps can vary based on your scheduled time, current medications, and any dietary needs, so it’s important to follow the directions provided to you. Typically, you’ll need to avoid eating solid food for six hours and stop drinking liquids two hours prior to your procedure. Because sedation is used, you’ll need to attend with an accompanying adult and arrange transport home afterwards.
How do I prepare for a colonoscopy?
You’ll receive specific written instructions from Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam on how to prepare for your colonoscopy. Effective preparation is important to ensure clear visibility of your bowel and lining during the procedure. Instructions may include standard, extended, or Colonolytely bowel preparation. Follow them closely, attend with a responsible adult, and arrange safe travel home, as you will not be permitted to drive post-sedation.
Are there any other procedure options?
In certain situations, your doctor could recommend different assessments or treatments before considering an endoscopy, such as:
- Lower bowel examination (sigmoidoscopy)
- FOBT (faecal occult blood test)
- Bowel DNA test using a stool sample
- CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy)
- Barium X-ray examination
Compared to other diagnostic options, endoscopy offers the most comprehensive visual assessment of your digestive tract, including the oesophagus and bowel lining. It also allows tissue sampling, polyp removal, and detection of abnormalities linked to conditions such as ulcers or colorectal cancer.
What are the risks and benefits of endoscopy?
Endoscopy is generally very safe, though rare risks include bleeding, perforation, or heart and breathing-related complications. In very few cases, death can occur. However, skipping or delaying an endoscopy may pose greater danger by preventing timely diagnosis and care.
What areas do you service?
Knox Private Hospital and Forest Hill Medical and Dental Centre are easily accessible to patients in:
Why Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam?
Endoscopy Specialist
One of the key advantages of endoscopy is its ability to detect and remove polyps or other abnormalities early. Removing and testing these growths helps reduce the risk that they will develop into cancer.
Rapid Access
Patients are usually seen within one week of referral, with open-access endoscopy helping to shorten waiting periods.
Quality and Accreditation
All endoscopy services are carried out in accredited environments aligned with NSQHS and approved healthcare quality standards.
Make an Appointment at Our Endoscopy Centre Closest to You
Whether you’re dealing with a change in your bowel habits, experiencing uncomfortable symptoms, or are concerned about colorectal cancer, you may benefit from an investigation. If your doctor has advised you to have an endoscopy, or if you are experiencing symptoms affecting your digestive system, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam and his team aim to help. With state-of-the-art endoscopy services in Forest Hill and regional Victoria, you don’t need to wait months for answers.
Book an appointment today to discuss your symptoms, referral, and whether you may be eligible for open-access endoscopy.