Endoscopy Altona
Comprehensive gastrointestinal endoscopy care available throughout Altona.
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?
An endoscopy involves a slender, flexible tube with a camera that lets your surgeon see inside the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, or colon. This procedure helps identify issues like ulcers, liver conditions, colorectal cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Both colonoscopies and gastroscopies are forms of endoscopy. A gastroscopy looks at the upper part of the digestive system, while a colonoscopy explores the rectum and colon, or large bowel. For patients across Altona and regional Victoria, an endoscopy aims to provide valuable insights and guidance for ongoing care in a single session.
Your Endoscopy Procedure With Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam
Dedicated to high standards of medical care and patient comfort, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam combines modern surgical methods with a caring, personal touch. He and his team understand the concerns many people have before an endoscopy and prioritise making every step comfortable and reassuring.
Every procedure undertaken by Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam aligns with the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. His approach to colonoscopy and gastroscopy follows the Colonoscopy Clinical Care Standard to ensure patients receive reliable, evidence-informed care.
- Wide-ranging gastroenterology procedures
- Both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy options
- Advanced and well-equipped clinical environments
- Empathetic and personalised care
When diagnosis is delayed due to waiting lists, important treatment decisions can also be postponed. That’s why Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam provides open-access endoscopy for suitable patients, allowing you to book straight after your appointment, whether online or in person, with triage handled by his experienced team.
If you’re a referring doctor and think your patient would be suited to this option, please mention it in your referral email.
Our Endoscopy Services
Gastroscopy
A gastroscopy involves examining the upper digestive tract, including the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum. It’s often recommended to explore causes of nausea, reflux, upper abdominal pain, or low iron levels, and it may help identify inflammation or ulceration.
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is a specialised endoscopy procedure used to examine the rectum and colon (large bowel). It is a key tool in screening for colorectal cancer, identifying and removing polyps, and investigating symptoms like persistent diarrhoea, bleeding, or unexplained changes in bowel habits. In Australia, surgeons perform over one million colonoscopies every year.
Looking to take the next step toward understanding your digestive symptoms and exploring treatment options?
Your Endoscopy Altona Questions Answered
When should I have an endoscopy?
Although the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program provides complimentary home testing for people aged 45 to 74, it’s important to see a doctor if you experience symptoms like abdominal pain, reflux, difficulty swallowing, rectal bleeding, bowel changes, or unexplained weight loss, as an endoscopy may be recommended.
How do I prepare for a gastroscopy?
Instructions may differ depending on your admission time, medications, and dietary restrictions, so ensure you follow your specific instructions. Generally, preparation includes avoiding solid food for at least six hours and liquids for at least two hours before your appointment. Your procedure involves sedation, so please arrive with a responsible adult and make arrangements to get home safely, as you will not be able to drive.
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?
Your doctor may occasionally advise exploring other approaches prior to endoscopy, such as:
- Lower bowel examination (sigmoidoscopy)
- Fecal occult blood test
- Stool DNA screening
- Virtual colonoscopy, or colonography
- Barium X-ray examination
Endoscopy provides the most direct and detailed view of the oesophagus, bowel, and surrounding tissues. It enables surgeons to perform biopsies, remove polyps, and detect signs of issues like inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, or colorectal cancer.
What are the risks and benefits of endoscopy?
While endoscopy carries minimal risk, possible complications include bleeding, bowel or organ perforation, or cardiorespiratory problems, with death being extremely rare. Still, the risk of not undergoing a needed endoscopy is often higher, as it may delay the identification and management of serious conditions.
What areas do you service?
Williamstown Specialist Centre is easily accessible to patients in:
Why Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam?
Endoscopy Specialist
Endoscopy offers a major benefit by allowing surgeons to locate and remove polyps or suspicious tissue before they become more serious. Biopsying these samples is an important step in preventing 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.
Our Locations near Altona
Make an Appointment at Our Endoscopy Centre Closest to You
If you’re experiencing digestive issues such as pain, altered bowel habits, or signs that raise concern, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam and his caring team are here to assist. Their modern endoscopy facilities across Altona and regional Victoria make it easier to access prompt and thorough investigation.
Schedule an appointment today to review your symptoms, talk through your referral, and find out if open-access endoscopy is appropriate for you.