Address
9 East 63rd Street, New York, NY 10065
Phone
(212) 593-7170
Frequently Asked Questions
Many patients are not familiar with some of the procedures used by Dr. Frank. We feel the more you know about the procedures, the less anxiety you will experience.
Here are some of the more common questions we are asked by our patients, Of course if you have other questions, please don’t hesitate to call us. It is only through a relationship of mutual trust and respect that we can achieve our common goal: Your good health.
Colonoscopy
Endoscopy/
Gastroscopy
Screening for colonic polyps and cancer is an important part of your check-up. How often, and starting at what age, must be individualized for every patient. There are other reasons to examine the colon:
• Unexplained bleeding • A family history of colon cancer • Anemia or microscopic blood (occult blood) on routine stool examinations • To check for polyps or other abnormalities
It is a diagnostic procedure which allows the physician to “look” into the lower digestive system and view the lining of the colon, or large intestine. The examination (different than an x-ray) usually takes less than a half-hour, and there is little or no discomfort.
It is an abnormal growth of non-cancerous tissue on the inner lining of the lower intestine. Polyps vary in size from a tiny dot to the diameter of an orange. Some are insignificant, while others may go on to develop into colon cancer. When a polyp is seen during the colonoscopy, it will be most convenient to remove it then.
Polyps may cause rectal bleeding and can be cured by the procedure known as Polypectomy. Most polyps are benign, but a small percentage may develop into cancer. Most specialists believe that the removal of colon polyps prevents colon cancer.
The colon must be empty of any solid waste material. • Discontinue the use of aspirin products and iron tablets for one week before the procedure. • Advise the doctor if you are taking insulin, anticoagulants, or have heart or lung problems.
A flexible long, thin, lighted tube about 3/4" in thickness or the size of your little finger will be inserted into the rectum. Dr. Frank will be able to view the entire inner lining of the bowel clearly, provided adequate cleansing has been accomplished. If a polyp is seen, it will be removed at that time.
A wire loop is passed through the colonoscope and the polyp is lassoed. The attachment of the polyp to the intestinal wall is severed by cauterization with an electrical current. If several polyps are found, they too will be removed.
No. With the anesthesia you will have NO discomfort.
If the doctor sees an abnormality, he may take a sample of the tissue for additional examination. Biopsies are painless and are taken for many reasons. If a polyp is removed, it too will be sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Yes, as soon as the examination is over, Dr. Frank will give you the initial results of his screening. Naturally, a complete report from a laboratory will take a few days.
You will feel drowsy, and you may not drive a car for at least 12 hours because of the sedation. There may be a full feeling due to air that was instilled to permit Dr. Frank to see the colon. This will pass in 1–2 hours.
As soon as the procedure has been completed, you may resume your usual diet, unless otherwise instructed by Dr. Frank.
The potential for problems is slight. Possible complications are bleeding or perforation of the colon, but these are very rare.
There are many reasons to examine the stomach.
• Unexplained pain and/or weight loss
• A family history of certain disease
• Anemia or microscopic blood (occult blood) on routine stool examinations
• To investigate GERD, heartburn, or non-cardiac chest pain
• Surveillance for Barrett’s esophagus
• Detection of H. pylori, the bacteria that causes ulcers and gastric growths
It is a diagnostic procedure which allows the physician to look into the upper digestive system and view the lining of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. The examination (different than an x-ray) usually takes less than 15 minutes and is associated with no discomfort.
The stomach must be empty of food or liquid material, so you must not eat or drink anything after midnight on the evening before the examination. You may brush your teeth in the morning. However, only one glass of water (or tea or black coffee) can be taken unless instructed otherwise.
A flexible long, thin, lighted tube thinner than your little finger will be inserted into the mouth. Dr. Frank will be able to view the entire inner lining of the upper digestive tract clearly. Any abnormality will be sampled, a procedure known as a biopsy. This too will be painless.
The most frequent fear expressed by patients is that they will not be able to “swallow” the flexible instrument because of gagging. The medication given prior to the procedure prevents this from happening, and even the most apprehensive patients tolerate the procedure well.
No. With the anesthetics used, you will experience NO discomfort.
If the doctor sees an abnormality, he may take a sample of the tissue for additional examination. Biopsies are painless and are taken for many reasons. The biopsy tissue will be sent to the laboratory for further analysis.
Yes, as soon as the examination is over, Dr. Frank will give you the initial results. Naturally, a complete report from a laboratory will take a few days.
You will feel drowsy for a short time. You may not drive a car for at least 12 hours after the procedure but you may return to work. Even though you will feel well you may not operate a moving vehicle.
As soon as the procedure has been completed, you may resume your usual diet, unless otherwise instructed by Dr. Frank.
The potential for problems is slight. Possible complications are bleeding or perforation, but these are very rare.