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This payment option is available to patients associated with Urgent Care Center of Port Orange, LLC, dba Advanced Urgent Care; Town Center Medical Center, LLC, dba Advanced Family Practice; Atlantic Anesthesia Services, LLC; and Advanced Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Centers.
Gastroenterology Procedures
Advanced diagnostic and endoscopic procedures with personalized care for your digestive health.
A Closer Look at Your Digestive Health
At Advanced Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Centers, our board-certified physicians use advanced technology and endoscopic procedures to evaluate digestive concerns, identify gastrointestinal conditions, and guide treatment. We take the time to explain your recommended procedure, answer your questions, and help you understand what to expect.
Whether you are scheduling a routine screening or seeking answers about digestive symptoms, our team is here to support you through preparation, your procedure, and follow-up care.
Procedures We Offer
Breath testing is a simple, noninvasive test used to evaluate small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and certain carbohydrate intolerances, including lactose and fructose intolerance.
Overview
Breath testing measures gases in breath samples after the patient drinks a specific testing solution. Different solutions may be used depending on whether the physician is evaluating for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or a particular food intolerance.
Why It Is Performed
The test may be recommended for persistent bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal discomfort when symptoms suggest SIBO or lactose or fructose intolerance.
What to Expect
Preparation may include fasting and temporarily avoiding certain foods or medications. Breath samples are collected at scheduled intervals and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Sedation and invasive instruments are not required.
Endoscopic ultrasound combines endoscopy and ultrasound to create detailed images of the digestive tract and surrounding organs. It is particularly useful for evaluating the pancreas, bile ducts, gallbladder, lymph nodes, and abnormalities found through other imaging studies.
Overview
An endoscope equipped with a camera and ultrasound probe is passed through the mouth or rectum, depending on the area being evaluated. This allows the physician to examine the digestive lining and structures beyond the walls of the gastrointestinal tract.
Why It Is Performed
EUS may be used to evaluate lumps, cysts, tumors, enlarged lymph nodes, pancreatic disease, bile duct disease, and certain cancers. Fine-needle aspiration or a biopsy may also be performed during the procedure.
What to Expect
Preparation usually includes fasting, while a rectal EUS may require bowel preparation. IV sedation or anesthesia is used, and the procedure often takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Patients will need someone to drive them home afterward.
EsoGuard is a minimally invasive, in-office screening test designed to detect precancerous changes in cells from the lower esophagus. It uses advanced DNA analysis to help identify changes associated with Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer risk.
Overview
Cells are collected from the lower esophagus using a small balloon-based sampling device. The collected cells are then analyzed using advanced DNA technology.
Why It Is Performed
EsoGuard is designed to identify early cellular changes in the esophagus so patients who may need additional evaluation can be recognized sooner.
What to Expect
The test is performed in the office without a traditional endoscopy or sedation. Patients with abnormal results may require additional diagnostic testing based on their physician’s recommendations.
Esophageal pH testing measures how often and how long stomach acid reaches the esophagus. The Bravo wireless system records acid exposure during normal daily activities to help determine whether symptoms are caused by GERD.
Overview
A small wireless capsule is placed on the lower esophagus during an upper endoscopy. The capsule sends acid measurements to a receiver for approximately 48 to 96 hours while the patient records meals, symptoms, and sleep.
Why It Is Performed
The test can help diagnose GERD, determine whether symptoms correspond with acid reflux, evaluate symptoms that continue despite treatment, and assess patients before an anti-reflux procedure.
What to Expect
Patients may need to fast and temporarily stop certain acid-reducing medications as instructed. Mild throat or chest discomfort may occur while the capsule is attached. The capsule usually detaches naturally and passes through the digestive tract.
Gastric Sleeve Revision is an incision-free endoscopic procedure that reduces the size of a stomach sleeve that has stretched following a sleeve gastrectomy or previous endoscopic procedure. It is intended to restore earlier fullness and support renewed weight loss.
Overview
An endoscope and specialized suturing device are passed through the mouth. The physician places internal stitches to tighten the stomach sleeve without making external incisions.
Why It Is Performed
The procedure may be recommended for patients who have regained weight or can eat significantly larger portions following their original sleeve procedure.
What to Expect
Gastric Sleeve Revision is performed under anesthesia and is usually an outpatient procedure. Temporary pain, nausea, upper abdominal pressure, stomach spasms, or a sore throat may occur. Recovery includes a staged diet that progresses from liquids to soft foods and eventually solid foods.
Hemorrhoid embolization is a minimally invasive, image-guided treatment for bleeding internal hemorrhoids. It reduces blood flow to the hemorrhoidal tissue so the hemorrhoids shrink over time without traditional surgical removal.
Overview
An interventional radiologist guides a small catheter through a tiny puncture in the wrist or groin to reach the arteries supplying the hemorrhoids. Tiny coils or particles are placed to reduce blood flow while preserving circulation to the surrounding tissue.
Why It Is Performed
The procedure may be recommended for selected internal hemorrhoids, particularly when persistent rectal bleeding is the primary symptom.
What to Expect
Hemorrhoid embolization is typically performed using local anesthesia and moderate sedation and takes approximately 45 minutes. Most patients return home the same day and resume normal activities within a day or two.
Stool pathogen testing uses molecular technology to look for bacterial, viral, and parasitic causes of infectious diarrhea. A single panel can identify many common organisms and may detect more than one infection at the same time.
Overview
The patient collects a stool sample using a provided kit and sends or returns it to a laboratory for analysis. Molecular testing can provide results quickly and may detect organisms that are difficult to identify using traditional stool cultures.
Why It Is Performed
Testing may be recommended for diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea or vomiting, fever, blood or mucus in the stool, persistent symptoms, recent travel, or possible exposure to contaminated food.
What to Expect
There are no direct procedural risks. Accurate testing requires following the collection instructions carefully and avoiding contamination from urine or toilet water. Additional testing may be necessary if symptoms suggest a cause not detected by the panel.
Capsule endoscopy uses a swallowable, pill-sized camera to capture images of the digestive tract, particularly the small intestine. It helps evaluate areas that are difficult to reach with a standard upper endoscopy or colonoscopy.
Overview
After the capsule is swallowed, it travels naturally through the digestive system while taking thousands of images for the physician to review. Advanced capsule systems can provide detailed images of the small intestine.
Why It Is Performed
Capsule endoscopy may be used to evaluate unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, small-bowel tumors or polyps, persistent abdominal pain, or anemia without a clear cause.
What to Expect
The test usually does not require sedation. Preparation may include fasting and sometimes bowel preparation. A rare risk is capsule retention in a narrowed section of the intestine, which the physician will assess beforehand. Most patients can resume normal activities the same day.
Enteroscopy examines portions of the small intestine beyond the reach of a standard endoscopy or colonoscopy. Balloon-assisted techniques allow the physician to advance more deeply into the small bowel and may permit diagnosis and treatment during the same procedure.
Overview
A thin, flexible enteroscope is inserted through the mouth or, in some cases, the rectum. Single-balloon, double-balloon, and other specialized techniques help stabilize the small intestine so the physician can examine deeper areas.
Why It Is Performed
Enteroscopy may be used to identify or treat gastrointestinal bleeding, collect biopsies, remove small-bowel polyps or foreign objects, and widen narrowed areas.
What to Expect
Preparation may include fasting, dietary changes, medication adjustments, and bowel preparation, depending on the approach. IV sedation is used, and advanced balloon-assisted procedures may take several hours.
Esophageal dilation gently widens a narrowed section of the esophagus to improve swallowing. It is commonly used for strictures caused by scarring, reflux-related injury, inflammation, or other conditions.
Overview
Esophageal dilation is most often performed during an upper endoscopy while the patient is sedated. Specialized balloons or dilators are used to carefully stretch the narrowed portion of the esophagus.
Why It Is Performed
The procedure is used to relieve dysphagia when narrowing of the esophagus makes it difficult for food or liquids to pass. Some patients experience immediate improvement, while certain conditions may require repeat dilation.
What to Expect
Patients generally fast before the procedure and may need to adjust certain medications. Temporary chest discomfort or a sore throat may occur afterward. Because sedation is commonly used, patients must arrange for someone to drive them home.
FibroScan is a quick, noninvasive test that measures liver stiffness to help assess fibrosis or scarring. It can provide valuable information about liver health without surgery or a traditional biopsy.
Overview
FibroScan uses vibration-controlled transient elastography to measure liver stiffness. It may also help evaluate the amount of fat present in the liver.
Why It Is Performed
The test may be used to evaluate or monitor fatty liver disease and other chronic liver conditions. In some cases, it can provide information that reduces the need for more invasive testing.
What to Expect
FibroScan is comfortable, noninvasive, and generally takes approximately 10 to 20 minutes. A probe is placed against the skin over the liver to collect measurements. Sedation and surgical tissue sampling are not required.
HALO radiofrequency ablation is an incision-free endoscopic treatment used to remove abnormal tissue from the esophagus. It is commonly used to treat Barrett’s esophagus and selected precancerous changes.
Overview
The procedure uses controlled radiofrequency energy delivered through an endoscope to treat targeted abnormal tissue in the esophagus without external incisions.
Why It Is Performed
HALO therapy may be recommended for Barrett’s esophagus with certain abnormal cellular changes. Its purpose is to eliminate the affected tissue and allow healthier esophageal tissue to grow in its place.
What to Expect
The treatment is performed during an endoscopic procedure using sedation or anesthesia. Patients may experience temporary chest discomfort, difficulty swallowing, or a sore throat afterward. Preparation and recovery instructions will depend on the extent of treatment.
A liver biopsy removes a small sample of liver tissue for microscopic examination. It can help diagnose liver disease, assess inflammation or scarring, and guide treatment when blood tests, imaging, or FibroScan do not provide enough information.
Overview
During a liver biopsy, the skin is numbed and a thin needle is guided into the liver, often using ultrasound or CT guidance, to collect a small tissue sample.
Why It Is Performed
A biopsy can help diagnose specific liver diseases, evaluate fibrosis and inflammation, confirm or exclude certain conditions, and guide treatment decisions.
What to Expect
The biopsy itself typically takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes, followed by several hours of observation. Mild soreness or temporary right shoulder discomfort may occur. Patients are generally instructed to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for a short period afterward.
Upper endoscopy allows the physician to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum using a flexible, camera-equipped scope. Biopsies and certain treatments can often be performed during the same procedure.
Overview
A thin endoscope is passed through the mouth while the patient is sedated. The camera provides detailed views of the upper digestive lining and allows the physician to collect tissue samples or perform selected treatments when needed.
Why It Is Performed
Upper endoscopy may be used to evaluate heartburn, swallowing difficulties, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, Barrett’s esophagus, hiatal hernia, celiac disease, unexplained anemia, polyps, and tumors.
What to Expect
Patients must fast beforehand and may need to adjust certain medications. The procedure typically takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes. Mild bloating, gas, or a sore throat may occur afterward. Because sedation is used, patients must arrange for someone to drive them home.
A colonoscopy allows direct examination of the entire colon and rectum using a flexible, camera-equipped scope. It can detect inflammation, bleeding, polyps, and colorectal cancer, and polyps can often be removed during the same procedure.
Overview
A colonoscope is gently advanced through the colon while the physician examines its lining. Colonoscopy is an important screening and prevention tool because precancerous polyps can often be found and removed before they become cancerous.
Why It Is Performed
A colonoscopy may be performed for colorectal cancer screening or to evaluate rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, persistent changes in bowel habits, unexplained anemia, or other digestive concerns.
What to Expect
A bowel-cleansing preparation is required before the procedure. Sedation is used, and the examination usually takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Biopsies or polyp removal may be performed when needed. Patients must arrange for someone to drive them home after the procedure.
ERCP combines endoscopy and X-ray imaging to evaluate and treat problems involving the bile ducts and pancreatic duct. It can diagnose certain duct disorders and provide treatment during the same procedure.
Overview
During ERCP, an endoscope is passed into the upper small intestine. Contrast material and X-ray imaging are then used to examine the bile and pancreatic ducts.
Why It Is Performed
ERCP may be used to diagnose and treat blocked or narrowed bile and pancreatic ducts. It can also remove bile duct stones, place stents, collect tissue samples, or address other duct-related problems.
What to Expect
Patients must fast before the procedure and may need to adjust certain medications. Sedation or anesthesia is used. Because ERCP is an advanced endoscopic procedure, patients should carefully follow all preparation and recovery instructions provided by their physician.
Esophageal manometry measures the strength and coordination of the muscles in the esophagus. It helps evaluate swallowing difficulties, heartburn, chest discomfort, and suspected problems with esophageal movement.
Overview
Esophageal manometry evaluates how effectively the muscles and sphincters of the esophagus move food and liquids toward the stomach.
Why It Is Performed
The test may be recommended when symptoms suggest an esophageal motility disorder. It may also be used when additional functional information is needed as part of a swallowing or acid reflux evaluation.
What to Expect
A thin, flexible catheter is passed through the nose and into the esophagus. The patient takes small sips of water while the catheter measures muscle pressure and coordination. Sedation is generally not required, and the catheter is removed when testing is complete.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy examines the rectum and lower portion of the colon using a thin, flexible, camera-equipped scope. It is a focused examination rather than a complete colonoscopy.
Overview
Flexible sigmoidoscopy evaluates approximately the last one to two feet of the large intestine. The scope allows the physician to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon for inflammation, bleeding, growths, and other abnormalities.
Why It Is Performed
The procedure may be recommended to evaluate rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, inflammation, or other symptoms affecting the lower colon. It may also be used to monitor selected conditions involving the rectum and sigmoid colon.
What to Expect
Preparation typically involves cleansing the lower colon. Sedation requirements depend on the reason for the procedure and the practice’s protocol. Flexible sigmoidoscopy is generally performed as an outpatient procedure.
Hemorrhoid banding treats internal hemorrhoids by placing a small rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid. The band reduces its blood supply so the tissue shrinks and falls away naturally.
Overview
Rubber band ligation is a quick, office-based treatment for internal hemorrhoids. It does not require surgical incisions and usually does not require sedation.
Why It Is Performed
Hemorrhoid banding may be used for internal hemorrhoids that cause rectal bleeding, prolapse, discomfort, irritation, mucus drainage, or mild soiling.
What to Expect
Treatment typically takes only a few minutes, and most patients return to normal activities the same day. Mild pressure, fullness, or light bleeding may occur. More than one treatment session may be needed depending on the number and severity of the hemorrhoids.
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy placement inserts a feeding tube directly into the stomach through the abdominal wall. It provides nutrition, fluids, and medications when swallowing is difficult or unsafe but the digestive system remains functional.
Overview
An upper endoscope is used to guide placement of the feeding tube. After the abdominal skin is cleaned and numbed, a small opening is created and the tube is secured within the stomach.
Why It Is Performed
A PEG tube can provide reliable long-term nutrition and hydration for patients who cannot safely meet their nutritional needs by mouth because of neurological disorders, certain cancers, swallowing difficulties, or other conditions.
What to Expect
The procedure usually takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes and commonly uses IV sedation. Patients receive instructions for caring for the tube and may return home the same day, depending on their medical condition.
Our medically guided weight-loss program provides personalized support for patients seeking to lose weight and improve their overall health. Each plan is developed according to the patient’s needs, medical history, health risks, and long-term goals.
Overview
Successful weight management involves more than following a temporary diet. Our weight-loss program takes an individualized approach that may include medical evaluation, nutrition guidance, lifestyle changes, ongoing monitoring, and additional treatment options when appropriate.
Who May Benefit
The program may be appropriate for patients who have struggled to lose weight through diet and exercise alone or who have health concerns related to excess weight. These may include fatty liver disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, acid reflux, sleep problems, or other metabolic conditions.
What to Expect
The process begins with an evaluation of your health history, previous weight-loss efforts, current medications, lifestyle, and personal goals. Your provider will use this information to recommend an individualized plan and monitor your progress over time.
