General Instructions

gastroenterology patient instructions

Before you begin:

  • Your family doctor must send us a referral form first before we can book your appointment.
  • All gastroenterology services performed at our clinic are fully covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
  • Patients who opt to receive sedation during their procedures are required to have a responsible adult (18 years or older) accompany them home. Please plan accordingly. Until the next day, please do not drive a car, operate machinery, drink alcohol, or make any legal or financial decisions.
  • COVID-19 Policy: If you have received less than 2 vaccine shots, please perform a COVID rapid test on the morning of your appointment and bring the negative result with you to the clinic. You can ask for free rapid test kits from your local pharmacy. If you receive a positive result or feel affected by any symptoms of COVID-19, please call the clinic to reschedule your appointment.

Booking an appointment

  • Our clinic will contact you during office hours to schedule an appointment once we have  received your family doctor’s referral form.
  • If you are a new patient with us, please print and fill out the following forms and bring them with you during your first visit.
  • Patient Questionnaire
  • Consent Form (If you are visiting for a consult only, you do not need this.)
  • Download the appropriate preparation instructions at least 7-10 days before your procedure and follow it accordingly.
  • >For appointment cancellations, we charge a $200.00 fee for any cancellations made within 72 hours prior to the procedure date.

On the day of your procedure

  • Bring your provincial Health Card (OHIP for Ontario) with you when you come for your appointment.
  • Getting here: We are located right next to the Don Mills station on Line 4 of the TTC. Bus routes at this station include: 10, 24, 25, 85, 167, 169, 925, 985. For parking, there is both the on-premises parking lot as well as the numerous parking lots in the surrounding area.
  • Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
  • Wear comfortable clothing, our staff will take care of the rest.
  • For a general description of how your visit will go, visit Gastroscopy or Colonoscopy.

After your procedure

  • You will be transferred to our recovery room to rest after your procedure.
  • Before you leave, one of our staff will brief you on the details of your procedure.
  • Patients who opt to receive sedation during their procedures are required to have a responsible adult (18 years or older) accompany them home. Please plan accordingly. Until the next day, please do not drive a car, operate machinery, drink alcohol, or make any legal or financial decisions.

If You Take These Medications:

  • Aspirin, Entrophen, Ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve: Stop taking 5 days before your procedure
  • Iron supplements and pills:Stop taking 5 days before your procedure.
  • Clopidogrel (Plavix): Stop taking 5 days before your procedure.
  • Ticlopidine (Ticlid): Stop taking 5 days before your procedure.
  • Apixaban (Eliquis): Stop taking 3 days before your procedure.
  • Coumadin (Warfarin): Talk to your cardiologist or family doctor.
  • Oral diabetic medication: For colonoscopy, stop the day before and the day of the procedure. For gastroscopy, stop on the day of the procedure.
  • Insulin: Talk to your family doctor.