Capsule Endoscopy in Katy, TX
A pill-sized camera that photographs the small intestine, the part of the gut a standard scope cannot reach. No sedation, and you go about your day.
Understanding Capsule Endoscopy
A video capsule endoscopy, also called small bowel capsule endoscopy or a pill camera, is a way to look inside the small intestine. You swallow a capsule about the size of a large vitamin. It contains a tiny camera and light, and it takes thousands of pictures as it moves naturally through the duodenum, jejunum and ileum.
We use the CapsoCam Plus system, which stores its images inside the capsule itself, so there is no recorder or belt to wear. Once the capsule passes, you return it to us and your gastroenterologist reviews the images. The small intestine is up to about 20 feet long, and most of it cannot be reached with an upper endoscopy or a colonoscopy, which is why capsule endoscopy is so useful.
Why you might need a capsule endoscopy
- Unexplained bleeding, such as iron-deficiency anemia, a positive stool test for blood, or black stools, when an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy have not found the source. This is the most common reason for the test.
- Crohn’s disease, to find or monitor inflammation in the small intestine
- Celiac disease that is not responding to a gluten-free diet, to check for complications
- Small bowel polyps or tumors, including follow-up for some inherited polyp syndromes, or after an abnormal CT or MRI
Capsule endoscopy is usually done after an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy, not instead of them. It is rarely helpful for abdominal pain on its own, without bleeding, anemia or other signs of a problem in the small intestine.
When capsule endoscopy may not be safe
The capsule must be able to pass freely through the bowel. Tell us if you have:
- A known or suspected narrowing or blockage of the bowel, or Crohn’s disease with strictures
- Had bowel surgery, or radiation to the abdomen
- Taken anti-inflammatory pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, regularly for a long time
- Trouble swallowing
- A pacemaker, defibrillator or other implanted heart device. This is usually not a problem, but we need to know.
- Pregnancy, or might be pregnant
If there is a risk the capsule could get stuck, we may first give you a dissolvable “patency” capsule, the same size as the camera, to check that it passes safely.
Our approach to Capsule Endoscopy
Our gastroenterologists decide whether capsule endoscopy is the right next test, prepare you for it, and personally review the images. The test starts at our clinic in Katy.
Before your capsule endoscopy
- Diet. The day before, eat a normal breakfast and a light lunch, then switch to clear liquids for the rest of the day, avoiding anything red. You take a bowel prep in the evening and have nothing to drink after 10 pm, apart from small sips of water with medicines. Your instructions give exact times and amounts.
- Medicines. Stop iron pills 4 days before the test. On the morning of the test, wait to take your usual medicines until 2 hours after you swallow the capsule, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Do not stop a prescribed medicine unless we tell you to.
- Supplies. You will need polyethylene glycol (PEG) and simethicone drops (Mylicon). Your prep instructions list how much to buy.
Full instructions are on our prep forms page.
On the day
You take a small dose of bowel prep at home 2 hours before your appointment. At our clinic, we review the test with you and you swallow the capsule with water and simethicone drops. Then you can leave and go about light daily activities.
- You can drink clear liquids 2 hours after swallowing the capsule.
- At 4 hours, you take one more small dose of bowel prep, then you can eat a light lunch.
- You can eat a normal dinner, with no further restrictions.
Collecting and returning the capsule
The capsule usually passes in a bowel movement within 8 to 48 hours. Use the retrieval kit we give you to collect it, because the images are stored inside the capsule. Do not flush it. Return it in the sealed vial, either in the prepaid envelope by FedEx or to our office, as we instruct.
Call us if the capsule has not passed within 72 hours, or right away if you develop belly pain, swelling, nausea or vomiting. Do not have an MRI until you know the capsule has passed.
Results
Reviewing the images takes time, so results usually follow within one to two weeks of the capsule reaching us. The capsule cannot take biopsies or treat problems. If it finds something that needs treatment, we arrange the next step, such as an upper endoscopy, colonoscopy or a specialized scope of the small intestine.
When bleeding or anemia has no clear source after an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy, the small intestine is the place to look. The capsule lets us see it without sedation or a hospital stay.
Dr. Vivian Asamoah, MD
Board-Certified Gastroenterologist, Integrative Medicine
Key Facts
What you need to know
Everything you need to know before your appointment.
Who should consider this
People with hidden bleeding or anemia, Crohn's disease, or a suspected small intestine problem.
Learn more
What to expect
Clear liquids and a bowel prep the day before, swallow the capsule at our clinic, then collect and return it once it passes.
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Recovery and results
No recovery time, and results usually within one to two weeks.
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Why our team
Experienced gastroenterologists who choose the right test and read the images themselves.
Learn moreWhat Our Patients Say
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Dr. Asamoah is a wonderful doctor with an excellent bedside manner who cares about what you're going through and leaves no stone unturned I highly recommend.
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From the moment of entering the Surgical Center, I felt like I was an individual and my needs were of concern. The actual procedure experience was great. Dr. Asamoah has a way of making you feel at ease. She's gathered a staff of people who do the same thing. Highly recommend.
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I was very impressed with both doctors' expression of authentic interest in and concern with my health concerns. A rare experience.
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Highly recommend. The office staff and Dr. Asamoah were helpful, friendly and very accommodating! We left feeling like we have answers and are hopeful.
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First time visit. Impressed by the clean and nice environment. Friendly staff. Doctor takes her time to hear you and answer any questions you have. Great experience.
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Wow!!! Absolutely amazed by the facility and doctor! Dr. Vivian Asamoah is extremely educational, professional, and so sweet! I went in feeling extremely anxious because of my health issues, and she put me at ease by explaining every detail! Xiomara, her MA, was so helpful and thorough. Honestly, she is by far one of the best doctors I've seen. God bless this office and everyone in it! I most definitely recommend her!
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I went in to check on issues I was having with my colon. I was in a panic and was not feeling my best. Dr. Asamoah was kind and very understanding, with great patient-relationship skills. She is genuine and truly professional. Her staff is great and wonderful. I will recommend my family and friends.
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Had a great experience. The doctors are very understanding and comforting. They listen to all of your needs. Loved their music. Very relaxing.
Individual results vary.
Ready to schedule your capsule endoscopy?
Schedule a consultation with our team. We are here to help you find lasting relief.
Expert GI. Whole-person care. All under one roof.Common questions about Capsule Endoscopy
A capsule endoscopy is a test in which you swallow a pill-sized camera that takes thousands of pictures of the small intestine. The images are stored inside the capsule, which you collect when it passes and return to us for your gastroenterologist to review.
The most common reason is bleeding or iron-deficiency anemia when an upper endoscopy and colonoscopy did not find the cause. It is also used to find or monitor Crohn's disease, check for complications of celiac disease, and look for small bowel polyps or tumors.
No. You swallow the capsule with water, and most people do not feel it move through the bowel. There is no sedation.
The day before, you eat a light lunch, then switch to clear liquids and take a bowel prep in the evening, with nothing to drink after 10 pm. Stop iron pills 4 days before. Follow the exact instructions we give you.
Many people can, if their work is not physically demanding. There is no recorder to wear. Avoid strenuous activity, and keep your retrieval kit with you so you can collect the capsule when it passes.
You can drink clear liquids 2 hours after swallowing the capsule. At 4 hours you take a small dose of bowel prep, then you can eat a light lunch, and you can eat a normal dinner.
The capsule usually passes within 8 to 48 hours. Collect it with the retrieval kit, because your images are stored inside it, and return it in the sealed vial by FedEx or to our office. Call us if it has not passed within 72 hours.
It is rare, but it can happen, mainly in people with a narrowed bowel, such as from Crohn's disease. If that is a risk, we may first use a dissolvable test capsule. Call us if the capsule has not passed within 72 hours, or right away if you develop belly pain, swelling, nausea or vomiting.
No. The capsule used on this page looks at the small intestine. A separate colon capsule exists for a few specific situations, such as when a colonoscopy could not be completed, but it cannot take biopsies or remove polyps, and it does not replace colonoscopy for colon cancer screening.
Your gastroenterologist reviews thousands of images, so results usually take one to two weeks. We contact you to explain what was found and any next steps.
Houston Gastro Institute offers video capsule endoscopy for patients in Katy, TX. The test starts at our clinic on Kingsland Boulevard, and your images are reviewed by our gastroenterologists. Patients come to us from across west Houston, including Cinco Ranch, Fulshear, Richmond, Brookshire, Sugar Land and Cypress.