FAQs

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. 

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. 

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? 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

There are no lab services on site. Depending on your insurance, please visit a Quest, Lab Corp and Edward Hospital lab.

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.

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. 

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. 

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

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Please don’t smoke weed or cigarettes 24 hours before your procedure or your procedure. If you have any questions, please call our office.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Yes. We ask that you wear a tampon, if you’re able to do so. Please call the office if you have any questions.

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. 

Common Digestive Health Questions

You should see a gastroenterologist if you are experiencing persistent abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, chronic heartburn, difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, or ongoing changes in bowel habits. Early evaluation can help identify the cause and prevent complications. 

Symptoms such as rectal bleeding, black stools, severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, difficulty swallowing, or unexplained weight loss should not be ignored. These may indicate a more serious underlying condition that requires medical evaluation. 

Rectal bleeding can be caused by conditions such as hemorrhoids, but it can also be a sign of more serious issues like polyps or colorectal cancer. Any new or unexplained bleeding should be evaluated by a specialist. 

Abdominal pain that is severe, persistent, worsening, or accompanied by fever, vomiting, or bleeding should be evaluated promptly. If pain interferes with daily activities or does not improve, a medical consultation is recommended. 

Occasional heartburn is common, but frequent or chronic heartburn may indicate GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Untreated GERD can lead to complications such as esophagitis or Barrett’s esophagus. 

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a functional digestive disorder that affects bowel habits without causing inflammation. IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, involves chronic inflammation of the digestive tract and may require more intensive treatment. 

Colonoscopy & Screening Questions

Most individuals at average risk should begin colon cancer screening at age 45. Those with a family history or higher risk factors may need screening earlier. A physician can recommend the appropriate timing.

For average-risk patients with normal results, colonoscopies are typically recommended every 10 years. If polyps are found or if you have risk factors, your doctor may recommend screening more frequently. 

A colonoscopy is generally not painful. Patients are typically given sedation to ensure comfort during the procedure. Most individuals report minimal discomfort afterward. 

The procedure itself usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes. However, patients should plan to spend approximately two to three hours at the facility to allow for preparation and recovery. 

If polyps are found, they are usually removed during the procedure and sent for laboratory analysis. Removing polyps can help prevent them from developing into colorectal cancer. 

Yes. Colon cancer often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. This is why routine screening is important, even if you feel well. 

GERD, IBS & IBD Condition-Specific Questions

Acid reflux refers to occasional backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus. GERD is a chronic condition where acid reflux occurs frequently and may require medical treatment. 

Yes. Stress can worsen IBS symptoms by affecting the gut-brain connection. Stress management and dietary adjustments are often part of treatment plans. 

Common IBS triggers include fatty foods, dairy, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and certain carbohydrates known as FODMAPs. Identifying individual triggers can help manage symptoms. 

Chronic untreated GERD can lead to inflammation of the esophagus, narrowing, or precancerous changes such as Barrett’s esophagus. Evaluation and treatment can reduce these risks. 

Symptoms of IBD may include persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss, and blood in the stool. Early diagnosis helps prevent complications. 

Local & Access Questions

Referral requirements vary by insurance plan. Some patients may schedule directly, while others may need a referral from their primary care provider. 

Appointment availability depends on the urgency of symptoms and scheduling demand. Patients with urgent symptoms are prioritized whenever possible. 

Suburban Gastroenterology accepts a wide range of insurance providers. Patients are encouraged to verify coverage with their insurance company or contact the office for assistance.