Endoscopy Blackburn
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 health is key to your overall wellbeing, and symptoms such as discomfort, bleeding, or altered bowel patterns may signal an issue that requires assessment. An endoscopy performed by a skilled surgeon like Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam may help provide answers.
What is an Endoscopy Procedure?
Through a small, flexible camera, an endoscopy enables close examination of areas such as the oesophagus, stomach, small bowel, and colon. It’s an important tool for detecting conditions including ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and liver 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 Blackburn and regional Victoria, these procedures often deliver important answers and next steps for care.
Your Endoscopy Procedure With Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam
As a specialist dedicated to providing exceptional care, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam goes beyond quality health service standards. With a focus on cutting-edge techniques and a strong emphasis on warm, personalised care, he and his team understand the anxiety that may come with scheduling an endoscopy, and always aim to help you feel comfortable and supported.
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.
- Full gastroenterology support and treatment options
- Both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy options
- State-of-the-art facilities
- 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.
Doctors referring patients are asked to specify if open-access endoscopy may be appropriate when submitting their referral by 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 allows surgeons to carefully examine the colon and rectum for signs of disease or irregularity. It’s an essential method for bowel cancer detection, identifying polyps, and exploring symptoms like ongoing diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, or unexplained bowel changes. Over a million colonoscopies are performed annually in Australia.
Want to start uncovering the cause of your symptoms and explore your treatment choices?
Your Endoscopy Blackburn Questions Answered
When should I have an endoscopy?
While the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program offers free home testing to Australians aged 45 to 74, anybody experiencing concerning symptoms should see their doctor to potentially arrange an endoscopy. Symptoms to look out for include abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, difficulty swallowing, reflux, changes in bowel movements, and unexplained weight loss.
How do I prepare for a gastroscopy?
Depending on your appointment time and any medical or dietary requirements, preparation instructions may vary. In most cases, patients are asked to avoid solid foods for at least six hours and clear liquids for two hours before the procedure. As you’ll receive sedation, please bring a responsible adult and organise a safe way home, as driving afterwards isn’t permitted.
How do I prepare for a colonoscopy?
Before your colonoscopy, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam will give you detailed preparation guidelines. Following these instructions properly is essential to allow a clear view of your bowel and its lining during the procedure. You may receive directions for standard, extended, or Colonolytely bowel preparation. Be sure to follow these steps exactly, attend with a responsible adult, and organise safe transport home, as you won’t be able to drive due to sedation.
Are there any other procedure options?
In certain situations, your doctor could recommend different assessments or treatments before considering an endoscopy, such as:
- Partial colon examination (sigmoidoscopy)
- Fecal occult blood test
- Colorectal DNA stool analysis
- Computed tomography (CT) colonography
- Lower gastrointestinal (GI) barium study
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?
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?
Knox Private Hospital and Forest Hill Medical and Dental Centre are easily accessible to patients in:
Why Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam?
Endoscopy Specialist
The main benefit of endoscopy is that it allows your surgeon to find and remove potential problems, such as polyps. These may grow into cancer if left, so having them removed and biopsied is crucial.
Rapid Access
Patients are usually seen within one week of referral, with open-access endoscopy helping to shorten waiting periods.
Quality and Accreditation
Endoscopy procedures are performed in fully accredited facilities that comply with NSQHS and recognised quality healthcare 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 Blackburn and regional Victoria, you don’t need to wait months for answers.
Schedule an appointment today to review your symptoms, talk through your referral, and find out if open-access endoscopy is appropriate for you.