Gastroscopy in Melbourne

The cost of a gastroscopy in Melbourne depends on your private health insurance, the clinical indication, and the complexity of the procedure. As a Medicare-eligible procedure, gastroscopy attracts a rebate when performed for an appropriate indication. For privately insured patients with suitable hospital cover, out-of-pocket costs are often low.

For self-funded patients, indicative costs typically range from $800-$1,800 after the Medicare rebate, depending on whether therapeutic interventions are performed. Your specific out-of-pocket costs will be confirmed in writing before your procedure. We recommend contacting your insurer before your appointment to confirm your level of cover.

Yes. You will need to fast from solid food and milk for at least 6 hours before the procedure. Clear fluids such as water, black tea, or coffee are generally permitted up to 2 hours before the procedure.

An empty stomach is essential for both safety, as it reduces the risk of aspiration, and diagnostic quality, as food residue can obscure the view of the stomach lining. Detailed fasting instructions will be provided at your consultation.

Most patients receive conscious sedation, which makes them relaxed and drowsy, largely unaware of the procedure while still able to respond to instructions. Some patients choose to proceed without sedation, which is feasible for a standard diagnostic gastroscopy but less comfortable.

General anaesthesia is used in specific circumstances, such as for complex therapeutic procedures or in patients for whom conscious sedation is not appropriate. Your preferences and any concerns about sedation can be discussed at your consultation.

The examination itself typically takes 15-30 minutes, though this may be longer if biopsies are taken or therapeutic interventions are performed. Including admission, preparation, the procedure, and recovery, you should plan to be at the facility for approximately 2-3 hours. You will need a responsible adult to drive you home, as you cannot drive following sedation.

Mild throat soreness or a feeling of bloating is common and typically resolves within 24 hours. Some patients also notice mild hoarseness. These are expected minor effects of the procedure. Over-the-counter throat lozenges can help with any discomfort. If you experience persistent or worsening throat or chest pain, fever, or difficulty swallowing after you return home, contact our clinic promptly.

Findings visible during the examination will be discussed with you before you leave the facility. If biopsies were taken, complete pathology results are typically available within 7-10 days. Your surgeon or our clinic nurse will contact you with the results and discuss any next steps, including whether further treatment or a follow-up appointment is required.

Yes. Gastroscopy is a Medicare-eligible procedure when performed for an appropriate clinical indication. Relevant Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers apply depending on whether the procedure is diagnostic or therapeutic, and your surgeon will confirm which items are relevant to your case.

Private health insurance typically covers the hospital and anaesthesia component, subject to your level of cover and any applicable waiting periods. We recommend confirming your entitlements with your fund before your appointment.

Surveillance intervals for Barrett’s oesophagus depend on the length of the Barrett’s segment and the presence and degree of dysplasia. Current guidelines recommend surveillance gastroscopy every 3-5 years for patients with non-dysplastic Barrett’s oesophagus, with more frequent surveillance for those with confirmed low-grade dysplasia, and urgent review for high-grade dysplasia, which may warrant endoscopic treatment ^[2][7]. Your surgeon will recommend a personalised surveillance schedule based on your specific findings.

Gastroscopy examines the upper digestive tract, from the oesophagus through to the first part of the small bowel (duodenum), while colonoscopy examines the large intestine and rectum. They investigate different parts of the gastrointestinal system and are not interchangeable.

Some patients require both procedures, particularly when symptoms suggest pathology at multiple levels of the digestive tract. If both are recommended, they can often be performed on the same day under a single sedation episode.

Gastroscopy can diagnose a wide range of upper gastrointestinal conditions, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, Helicobacter pylori infection, Barrett’s oesophagus, oesophageal and gastric cancer, coeliac disease (via duodenal biopsy), and oesophageal strictures.

In the same examination, it can treat active ulcer bleeding, remove small polyps, dilate strictures, and retrieve swallowed foreign bodies. If gastroscopy identifies reflux-related damage or a hiatal hernia, your surgeon may discuss whether anti-reflux surgery is appropriate for your circumstances.