Endoscopic Mucosal Resection: What to Expect at Home

Endoscopic mucosal resection is a procedure to remove abnormal tissue or growths from the lining of the digestive tract. Your doctor passed a flexible, lighted tube called an endoscope (scope) into your mouth or through your anus. The doctor used the scope to look for abnormal tissue or growths in your upper or lower digestive tract.

Next, the doctor put special tools through the scope to remove abnormal tissue or growths. If you had any bleeding, your doctor treated this as well. A sample of the abnormal tissue or growth was sent to a lab to check for cancer or other problems. It usually takes a week or two to get the results back.

You may feel bloated or have gas pains or cramps for a while. You may need to pass gas or belch. If the procedure was done in your lower digestive tract, you may have streaks of blood in your stool for a few days. Problems like heavy rectal bleeding can sometimes happen several weeks after the procedure. But this isn’t common.

If the procedure was done in your upper digestive tract, you may have a tickling, dry throat or mouth. You may feel a bit hoarse, and you may have a mild sore throat. These symptoms can last several days.

If you had a sedative to help you relax or medicine to make you sleep, it can take a few hours for the effects to wear off. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and feeling sleepy or tired. You may stay at the hospital or surgery center for up to 1 or 2 hours. An overnight stay usually isn’t needed.

• If the doctor gave you a sedative:
  • Don't sign legal documents or do anything that requires attention to detail until you recover. It takes time for the medicine's effects to completely wear off.
  • Don’t drive or operate any machinery for at least 24 hours. Wait until the medicine wears off and you can think clearly and react easily.
• Rest when you feel tired.
• You can do your normal activities when it feels okay to do so.
• Be as active as you can. It can help prevent problems and help you recover. Walking is a good option for many.
• Don’t smoke, vape, or use other tobacco or nicotine products. These things slow healing and recovery. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about quit programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.

• Follow your doctor's directions for eating after the procedure.
• Drink plenty of fluids. If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and have to limit fluids, talk with your doctor before you increase the amount of fluids you drink.
• Don’t drink alcohol until your doctor says it’s okay.

• Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.
• If you stopped taking aspirin, some other blood thinner, or a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
• Your doctor may tell you not to take aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medicines for a few days. These include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve).
• If you have a sore throat the next day, use an over-the-counter spray to numb your throat. Throat lozenges and warm saltwater gargles can also help relieve throat symptoms.