After the procedure, how soon can I eat, drive and return to work?
After an upper endoscopy, you will not be able to eat for an hour. Following a colonoscopy or ERCP, you will be encouraged to eat only a light meal or even clear liquids following the procedure. If you feel fine, the second meal can consist of a regular diet. You should not drive until the following day, as conscious sedation will impair your reactions, and make your driving unsafe. Because conscious sedation can also result in memory impairment, you are discouraged from working or making business decisions until the following day after receiving conscious sedation. We jokingly as what would happen if you bought a car, and then forgot it.
