@klsmidwestmom - I have had several endoscopies- lucky me!- and I don’t remember any of them. It would be very hard for the doctors to perform them if they started with the patient awake. There is absolutely no gagging!
They bring you in to the endoscopy room on a cot, you may have to move to another cot. There probably is an IV inserted already by the nurse getting you changed and getting your vital signs.
There will be an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist there who will give you the sedation in the IV and they put an oxygen mask on your face. Nowadays, I’m doing my best- for fun- to see how far I can count before I doze off! I never get past 5!
It’s not a long procedure and when you are done they take you to the recovery area where a nurse checks you and forces you to wake up! I resist, because I’m having such a nice nap. Anyway, you are awake fairly soon and you may get something to drink. They will also let your family member come in then. After half an hour or so, you are getting dressed and placed in a wheelchair to leave. The doctor may see you, or not, depending on their schedule.
This is an accurate description of my experiences- will you tell me yours after it’s done?