Endoscopy in Grand Rapids, MI

Endoscopy is a common, minimally invasive procedure used by Grand Rapids healthcare providers to diagnose and treat many conditions affecting the digestive tract, lungs, urinary system, and more. Patients in the Grand Rapids area may have endoscopy performed at major hospitals and outpatient centers, including Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Corewell Health (formerly Metro Health), and Mercy Health facilities, as well as local GI and surgical clinics.

What Is an Endoscope?

An endoscope (also called a fibrescope) is a long, thin, flexible tube with:

  • A light and lens at one end
  • A tiny video camera at the other end

The lens end is gently inserted into the body. Light travels down the tube through bundles of optical fibers to illuminate the area being examined. The camera sends a magnified image to a video screen so your doctor can clearly see the inside of your body in real time.

Most endoscopes are inserted through natural body openings, such as:

  • Mouth
  • Nose
  • Urethra (the tube that carries urine)
  • Anus (rectum)

Why Endoscopy Is Used

Endoscopy is used widely across Grand Rapids hospitals and clinics to:

  • Diagnose the cause of symptoms (such as abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, chronic cough, or bleeding)
  • Monitor known conditions (such as ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, or Barrett’s esophagus)
  • Perform minor surgical procedures without open surgery

Common Procedures Performed with Endoscopy

Specially designed endoscopes can be used to:

  • Locate, sample, or remove tumors from:

    • Lungs
    • Esophagus
    • Stomach
    • Small intestine
    • Colon (large intestine)

  • Locate and remove foreign objects from:

    • Lungs
    • Digestive tract

  • Take small tissue samples (biopsies) for diagnosis

  • Remove polyps (small growths) from the colon or stomach

  • Control bleeding in the digestive tract

  • Treat strictures (narrowed areas) with stretching (dilation)

Removing Stones from the Bile Duct

In some cases, an endoscopy is used to:

  • Remove stones from the bile duct
  • Place small tubes (stents) through blockages in:
    • Bile duct
    • Esophagus
    • Duodenum (first part of the small intestine)
    • Colon

These procedures are often done at larger Grand Rapids hospitals with advanced endoscopy units, such as Spectrum Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

Types of Endoscopes

Different endoscopes are used for different parts of the body. Common types include:

  • Bronchoscope – inserted down the trachea (windpipe) to examine the lungs
  • Colonoscope – inserted through the anus to examine the colon (bowel)
  • Gastroscope (upper endoscope) – inserted through the mouth and down the esophagus to examine the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine
  • Duodenoscope – inserted through the stomach into the duodenum to inspect and perform procedures on the:
    • Bile duct
    • Pancreatic duct
      This procedure is called ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatogram)
  • Hysteroscope – inserted through the cervix to examine the uterus
  • Cystoscope and ureteroscope – inserted via the urethra to inspect the bladder and ureters

In Grand Rapids, many of these procedures are available through hospital-based specialists (gastroenterologists, pulmonologists, urologists, gynecologists) and outpatient endoscopy centers.

Where Endoscopy Is Performed in Grand Rapids

Depending on the type of endoscopy and your health needs, your procedure may be done:

  • In a doctor’s office or clinic (for some simple procedures, often with local anesthesia or light sedation)
  • At a hospital or dedicated day-surgery center (for more complex procedures or when general anesthesia may be needed)

Local options include:

  • Spectrum Health / Corewell Health facilities
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health and Mercy Health outpatient centers
  • Specialty GI and pulmonary clinics throughout the Grand Rapids metro area

Your primary care provider or specialist can refer you to the most appropriate local facility.

Benefits of Endoscopy

Compared with traditional open surgery, endoscopy is:

  • Minimally invasive – usually uses natural body openings
  • Lower risk – less stress on the body
  • Cost-effective – often shorter procedures and quicker recovery
  • Scar-free – typically no external incisions

Other advantages include:

  • Quick recovery time – many patients feel back to normal within hours to a day
  • Less time in hospital – many endoscopies are done as same-day procedures in Grand Rapids clinics and surgery centers
  • Ability to diagnose and treat at the same time – for example, a polyp can be removed during the same procedure used to find it

Preparing for an Endoscopy

Before your endoscopy, your Grand Rapids healthcare provider will:

  • Review your medical history, including:
    • Allergies (especially to medications or anesthesia)
    • Current medications (including blood thinners, diabetes medications, and over-the-counter supplements)
  • Give you specific preparation instructions, which may include:
    • Fasting (no food or drink) for several hours before the procedure
    • Bowel prep (for colonoscopy), often done at home the day before
    • Adjusting or temporarily stopping certain medications

Following these instructions carefully is especially important during Michigan’s colder months, when dehydration and illness can affect how you respond to sedation and recovery.

During the Endoscopy Procedure

The exact steps depend on the type of endoscopy and the anesthesia used.

You may receive:

  • Local anesthesia (numbing spray or gel)
  • Sedation (medication to help you relax and feel drowsy)
  • General anesthesia (you are fully asleep; used for some complex procedures)

What Typically Happens

  1. You are positioned comfortably on an exam table.
  2. Monitors are placed to check your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen level.
  3. The endoscope is gently inserted through a natural opening (mouth, nose, anus, urethra, or cervix).
  4. Air or water may be introduced to help your doctor see more clearly.
  5. Your doctor may:
    • Look for signs of disease or damage
    • Take tissue samples (biopsies)
    • Remove polyps or foreign bodies
    • Place stents across blockages
    • Remove stones from the bile duct (in ERCP)
  6. When the examination and any treatment are complete, the endoscope is removed.

Most patients in Grand Rapids report that endoscopy is generally painless, though you may feel some pressure, fullness, or mild discomfort depending on the area examined.

Immediately After Your Endoscopy

After the procedure, you will be moved to a recovery area. You can usually expect:

  • Observation for about 1–2 hours
    • Longer if you had general anesthesia or a more complex procedure like ERCP
  • Mild side effects, such as:
    • Sore throat (after upper endoscopy)
    • Bloating or gas (after colonoscopy)
    • Mild cramping

For some endoscopic procedures, such as ERCP, your doctor may recommend an overnight stay at a Grand Rapids hospital to monitor for complications.

Because of the effects of sedation or anesthesia:

  • You must not drive yourself home
  • Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you, or plan to take a taxi or ride service

This is especially important in winter when icy road conditions and early darkness can make driving more challenging.

Possible Complications of Endoscopy

Endoscopy is considered very safe, and serious complications are uncommon. However, like any medical procedure, there are risks. Possible complications include:

  • Perforation (a tear or hole in an organ)
  • Excessive bleeding (hemorrhage), especially after biopsy or polyp removal
  • Infection
  • Allergic reaction to sedation or anesthesia
  • Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), particularly after ERCP

If a complication occurs, it is usually treated promptly at the hospital or center where the procedure was performed. Grand Rapids hospitals are fully equipped to manage these issues, often with minimally invasive techniques.

Taking Care of Yourself at Home

Self-care after endoscopy depends on the type of procedure you had. Follow the specific instructions provided by your Grand Rapids healthcare team. General guidelines include:

  • Rest for the remainder of the day after your procedure
  • Avoid driving, operating machinery, or making major decisions for 24 hours if you received sedation or anesthesia
  • Start with light foods and clear fluids, then return to your normal diet as advised
  • Watch for any concerning symptoms, such as:
    • Severe or worsening abdominal pain
    • Fever or chills
    • Persistent vomiting
    • Passing blood in stool or vomit
    • Black, tarry bowel movements
    • Chest pain or difficulty breathing

When to Seek Help

Contact your doctor, an urgent care clinic, or go to a Grand Rapids emergency department immediately if you experience any of the symptoms above.

Local resources include:

  • Spectrum Health / Corewell Health emergency departments
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids emergency department
  • Mercy Health and Metro Health urgent care centers
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health resources for guidance on where to seek urgent medical care

In an emergency, always call 911.

Recovery and Long-Term Outlook

Most patients in Grand Rapids:

  • Resume normal activities within 24 hours to a few days, depending on the procedure
  • Experience rapid recovery, often within hours for simple diagnostic endoscopies

Endoscopy can:

  • Provide a clear diagnosis
  • Allow treatment (like polyp removal or bleeding control) during the same procedure
  • Help avoid more invasive surgery in many cases

Your long-term outlook depends on the underlying condition being investigated, but endoscopy itself is usually a short, straightforward part of your care.

Alternatives to Endoscopy

In some cases, your doctor may consider alternatives, such as:

  • X-rays with contrast (barium studies) – for example, swallowing barium to outline the esophagus, stomach, or intestines
  • CT scans or MRI
  • Ultrasound

However, these imaging tests have limitations:

  • They may have an unpleasant taste or cause temporary discomfort
  • No biopsies can be taken, so tissue diagnosis is not possible
  • Therapeutic procedures (such as polyp removal or stent placement) cannot be performed at the same time
  • They may involve longer hospital stays or additional procedures if something abnormal is found

For treatment procedures, the main alternative is open surgery, which involves making a larger incision rather than using natural body openings. Disadvantages of open surgery include:

  • Larger scars
  • Longer hospital stays
  • Increased risk of complications, including infection
  • Longer recovery (convalescence) time

Because of these factors, endoscopy is often preferred by Grand Rapids specialists when appropriate.

Endoscopy in the Context of Grand Rapids and Michigan Health

In West Michigan, seasonal changes can affect digestive and respiratory health:

  • Cold winters and indoor living can increase respiratory infections, sometimes requiring bronchoscopies for diagnosis
  • Dietary changes around holidays and local events may trigger or worsen digestive issues, leading to more upper endoscopies and colonoscopies
  • Michigan’s aging population and rising rates of chronic conditions (such as GERD, colon polyps, and gallstones) make endoscopy an important tool for early detection and treatment

Access to high-quality endoscopy services in Grand Rapids helps residents receive timely, accurate diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment close to home.

Key Points About Endoscopy in Grand Rapids, MI

  • Endoscopies are generally painless, though you may feel some temporary discomfort.
  • Many procedures are done as same-day outpatient visits at Grand Rapids hospitals and clinics.
  • You must arrange a ride home after sedation or anesthesia; do not drive yourself.
  • Most patients return to normal activities within 24 hours to a few days.
  • Endoscopy often avoids the need for more invasive open surgery and allows diagnosis and treatment in one procedure.

If you live in the Grand Rapids area and have been advised to have an endoscopy, talk with your primary care provider or specialist about where to have the procedure, how to prepare, and what to expect based on your specific health needs.