Endoscopy Wantirna
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.
Because your digestive system is vital to how your body functions, symptoms like abdominal pain, bleeding, or bowel changes should never be ignored. An endoscopy with Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam aims to offer valuable insight into what’s happening internally.
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.
Colonoscopies and gastroscopies are types of endoscopy. A gastroscopy focuses on the upper digestive tract, while a colonoscopy examines the rectum and colon, also known as the large bowel. For many patients in Wantirna and regional Victoria, an endoscopy aims to offer answers and information about potential treatment options in one procedure.
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.
- Comprehensive gastroenterology services
- Both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy options
- Advanced and well-equipped clinical environments
- Warm, understanding approach for every patient
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
Used to examine the large bowel and rectum, a colonoscopy is an important endoscopic procedure for diagnosing bowel conditions. It helps detect colorectal cancer, remove polyps, and investigate symptoms such as bleeding, chronic diarrhoea, or changes in bowel function. In Australia, this procedure is performed more than a million times each year.
Want to start uncovering the cause of your symptoms and explore your treatment choices?
Your Endoscopy Wantirna 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?
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 some cases, your doctor may recommend trying other options before endoscopy, such as:
- Partial colon examination (sigmoidoscopy)
- FOBT (faecal occult blood test)
- DNA stool test
- CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy)
- Contrast barium X-ray of the bowel
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?
Although complications from endoscopy are rare, they can include bleeding, perforation, or cardiorespiratory issues, with death being extremely uncommon. It’s important to remember that postponing or avoiding endoscopy may carry higher risks, as it can delay essential diagnosis and treatment recommended by your doctor.
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
A primary benefit of undergoing an endoscopy is that it enables early detection and removal of polyps or abnormal tissue, which could otherwise progress to cancer if not treated promptly.
Rapid Access
He endeavours to review patients promptly, typically within a week of referral, with open-access endoscopy provided to streamline access and reduce waiting times.
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
From changes in digestion to concerns about colorectal cancer, symptoms affecting your bowel or stomach deserve attention. Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam offers comprehensive endoscopy services in Wantirna and regional Victoria, ensuring you don’t face long waiting times for assessment and clarity.
Schedule an appointment today to review your symptoms, talk through your referral, and find out if open-access endoscopy is appropriate for you.