Suburban Gastroenterology Office Visit FAQ
Can I have a procedure without having an office visit first?
If you are currently having symptoms, such as heartburn, rectal bleeding or on blood thinners you will need to be seen by a doctor prior to a procedure. If you are 45 or older and do not have any symptoms, please call our office to schedule.
Are there forms I need to fill out prior to the visit?
Please complete any necessary forms that you may have received prior to your arrival. The forms were sent via MyChart, Klara or mail and must be completed two weeks before your office visit for the physicians to review. Please call our office if there are any questions about the forms.
What is MyChart?
Our office uses MyChart – a free and secure website available through your computer or smartphone app giving you access to your medical information including lab results, appointment information, medications and more. MyChart allows you to communicate with medical staff securely through messaging, renew prescriptions and manage your appointments. Our staff would be happy to help you get signed up while in the office or for more information, please visit https://mychart.eehealth.org/mychart/Authentication/Login?
What items do I need to bring with me for my first visit?
Please remember to bring your insurance card, list of medications and photo ID. If a referral is needed, please obtain one prior to your visit. If a referral is not obtained, your office visit may be canceled. It is ultimately the patient’s responsibility to obtain a referral. Please call our office if there are any questions.
How soon should I cancel my appointment if I can’t make it?
Cancellations should be made as early as possible. If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please call our office at 630-527-6450. You will charged a cancelation fee of $50 dollars if your appointment is not canceled within two (2) business days.
Who do I contact for prescription refills?
Please contact your pharmacy for prescription refills. If authorization is needed, they will contact us directly. Please allow 72 hours for prescriptions to be completed.
How do I schedule an appointment?
To request an office visit with one of our physicians, please click here (insert Klara message app). Our office will then call you to schedule your appointment. You can also call our office to schedule an appointment at 630-527-6450.
Do you offer lab services on site?
There are no lab services on site. Depending on your insurance, please visit a Quest, Lab Corp and Edward Hospital lab.
How long does it take to get my lab, pathology, and x-ray reports?
Please allow up to 2 weeks to have your laboratory, X-ray and pathology results sent via MyChart or by mail. Please be aware you may be told a different time frame by the facility rendering the testing. If you need anything prior to receiving your results, please call the office at 630-527-6450 or send us a MyChart message.
Is there a fee if I cancel my office visit?
If for any reason you must cancel or change your office appointment, it is important that you give our office at least two business days’ notice prior to your scheduled appointment date to allow us to offer the appointment to another patient. If you fail to do this, there will be a $50.00 cancellation fee applied. We understand that true emergencies do occur. Under these circumstances a doctor’s note or other appropriate documentation will be considered to have the charge waived.
I need an interpreter for my office visit. What should I do?
If you need an interpreter, please inform our office as soon as possible and we will be happy to accommodate your needs. Our practice uses BoostLingo services. BoostLingo offers more than 300 languages, including American Sign Language.
My insurance changed or will be changing before my office visit. What should I do?
If there are any insurance changes, please notify our office as soon as possible at 630-527-6450, option 5 for our billing department.
Midwest Endoscopy Procedure FAQ’s
Why do I need to arrive early for the procedure?
Prior to a procedure, each patient is required to read and sign consent forms, be admitted by a nurse who will go over medical history and start an IV, as well as speak with the anesthesiologist and physician. We ask you to arrive 60 minutes prior to your scheduled procedure time to ensure all questions and concerns are addressed before your procedure.
What happens if I am unable to finish my prep?
If you are unable to finish your prep, please call our office as soon as possible at 630-527-6450. Our staff will be able to address and assist you in any questions you have. If you call after the office is closed, our after hour’s answering service will page the on-call doctor and the physician will return your call.
What if I feel nauseous or throw up while drinking my prep?
Most people tolerate the prep just fine. If you do feel nauseous or throw up, please call our office as soon as possible at 630-527-6450.
How soon should I cancel my procedure appointment if I can’t make it?
Cancellations should be made as early as possible. Please give our office a minimum of five (5) days business notice. If you fail to do this, there will be a $150 fee assessed. To cancel or reschedule an appointment, please call 630-527-6450 and select option 2 for scheduling.
Am I able to drive after the procedure?
Because of the sedation that you will be given, you will need a friend or family member to drive you to and from your procedure. Please do not drive yourself to your procedure. This driver must be with you at check in so we may verify you have a responsible adult taking you home. The driver must either wait in our waiting room or be no more than 15 minutes away. We are unable to perform the procedure if your driver is not with you at check in time. Taxi and car services such as Uber are not permitted, unless you have someone with you besides the driver. Patient safety is a top priority and we want to ensure you arrive safely home.
What should I bring with me to my procedure?
Please bring your insurance card and photo ID. Leave all valuables at home. Bring any cases for glasses, dentures or hearing aids. If there is a copay due, please bring a form of payment. We accept all major credit cards and cash.
Should I take my medication the morning of the procedure?
When scheduling your appointment, our staff will review your medications and provide you with instructions for taking any medications the morning of your procedure. If you are taking medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cardiac conditions, seizures, asthma or blood thinners, please review below:
- Diabetics who are on oral diabetic medication should NOT take them on the morning of the procedure.
- Diabetics using insulin should obtain instructions from their Primary Care Physician or Endocrinologist.
- Patients taking medicine for high blood pressure, heart disease, any heart conditions, or seizures should take these medications, as usual, with a sip of water. All medications must be taken at least 2 hours prior to your procedure. If you take these medications in the evening, please take these as usual at nighttime and do not take any extra doses.
- Patients with asthma that use an inhaler daily, should take this as usual the day of the procedure.
- Patients with asthma that only use an inhaler as needed should bring their inhaler with to the facility.
- Patients with asthma that have a rescue inhaler should bring this with to the facility.
- Patients taking blood thinners will require special instructions prior to their procedure. Please notify your doctor if you are taking a blood thinner. Aspirin can be continued prior to the procedure and there is no reason to stop taking this.
- Should you consume more than just a sip of water with your medications the day of your procedure, there will be a possibility of your procedure being cancelled. All other medications must be reviewed with the doctor.
Can I smoke weed or cigarettes before my procedure?
Please don’t smoke weed or cigarettes 24 hours before your procedure or your procedure. If you have any questions, please call our office.
Why do I need to be on a clear liquid diet during the prep?
Your colon needs to be clear of stool the day of your test. If you eat solid food the day prior or the day of your procedure, your bowel is still processing the food and creating stool. If you have stool in your colon during the procedure, this impairs the doctor’s view, resulting in you possibly repeating the prep and the procedure.
What can I eat/drink on a clear liquid diet?
Clear liquids means anything that is clear in consistency: color is not as important as consistency. Pop, coffee, tea and Jell-O is fine. Drink liquids such as apple, white grape, white cranberry or Gatorade – avoid thick and pulpy juices. Bouillon or clear broth is also fine – do not eat anything solid like noodles or meat. Avoid anything with red or orange artificial coloring. Do not drink milk or dairy products. Again, do not eat any solid food.
I am diabetic. Can I take my insulin pill or injection prior to the procedure? What is the best time to schedule an appointment?
Since patients are unable to eat or drink anything the day of the procedure, we suggest any patients who are diabetic schedule an early morning procedure. Please contact your primary care doctor for special instructions regarding your insulin.
Do I need to stop my Coumadin and/or blood thinners prior to the procedure?
Patients taking blood thinners will require special instructions prior to their procedure. Please notify your doctor if you are taking a blood thinner. Aspirin can be continued prior to the procedure and there is no reason to stop taking this.
Can I go back to my normal diet and activity after the procedure?
Patients are able to return to a normal diet unless otherwise instructed by their doctor. We suggest slowly advancing your diet, since you have not eaten in 24 hours. Something light like soup, eggs or toast. If polyps are removed or if biopsies are taken, you may be told not to perform strenuous physical activities for up to 2 weeks. The physician and staff will notify you of any special instructions after your procedure.
Am I able to brush my teeth the morning of my procedure?
Yes. We ask that you brush your teeth the day of your procedure. You can use mouthwash but do not swallow any water when rinsing.
I am currently on my period. Can I still have my procedure? Yes. We ask that you wear a tampon, if you’re able to do so. Please call the office if you have any questions.
Is there a fee if I cancel my procedure or office visit?
If for any reason you must cancel or change your procedure appointment, it is important that you give our office at least five business days’ notice prior to your scheduled procedure date to allow us to offer the appointment to another patient. If you fail to do this, there will be a $150.00 cancellation fee applied. We understand that true emergencies do occur. Under these circumstances a doctor’s note or other appropriate documentation will be considered to have the charge waived.
