Frequently Asked Questions

You can book by contacting our team on (02) 8859 6689, by emailing info@gutopia.com.au, or by requesting an appointment here.

Yes. A current referral from your GP or another specialist is required for your consultation to be recognised by Medicare. Referrals from a GP are valid for 12 months, and referrals from another specialist for 3 months. If you don't have one yet, please arrange this before your visit.

Please bring your referral letter, Medicare card, private health insurance details (if applicable), a list of current medications and allergies, and any recent blood test results, imaging reports, or endoscopy reports relevant to your symptoms. The more information available, the more efficient and useful your consultation will be.

During your first appointment, Dr Choi will take the time to understand your concerns in detail. This includes reviewing your medical history, the reason for your referral, and discussing any symptoms you may be experiencing. A physical examination may be performed where appropriate.

Based on this assessment, Dr Choi will explain his findings and discuss the next steps with you. This may include arranging further tests such as blood tests or imaging, or planning procedures like a gastroscopy or colonoscopy if needed.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions and be fully involved in decisions about your care.

Not usually. If your GP has already ordered blood tests, stool tests, or imaging, please bring the results. If additional tests are needed, Dr Choi will arrange them after your consultation.

To cancel or change your appointment please contact our team on (02) 8859 6689 or by emailing info@gutopia.com.au. Please provide 3 business days' notice to avoid a cancellation fee.

Most procedures are arranged following your consultation with Dr Choi, who will recommend the most appropriate option for your circumstances. For selected patients, we also offer a Direct Access Endoscopy Service for booking without a prior consultation. Once the procedure is confirmed, our team will offer you dates and locations that best suit your schedule and your private health insurance cover.

Not always. Patients who meet specific clinical criteria may be eligible for our Direct Access Endoscopy Service, which allows a gastroscopy or colonoscopy to be booked without a prior consultation. Your GP can help determine whether this pathway is suitable for you by completing our referral form.

Waiting times vary depending on the hospital you choose and your level of private health insurance cover. Urgent cases are always prioritised. For an up-to-date estimate, please contact our team on (02) 8859 6689.

The procedure itself is usually quick — a gastroscopy takes around 5–15 minutes and a colonoscopy around 20–45 minutes. However, please plan to spend approximately 4 – 4.5 hours at the hospital in total. This allows time for admission, sedation, the procedure itself, and gentle monitoring in recovery before you're safely discharged home.

Gastroscopy and colonoscopy are performed under sedation provided by a specialist anaesthetist, allowing you to sleep comfortably throughout the procedure. Most patients have little or no memory of the procedure and recover quickly afterwards.

Gastroscopy is a very safe and commonly performed procedure. However, as with any medical procedure, there are some risks:

• Sore throat or mild discomfort after the procedure (usually settles within 1–2 days)
• Reaction to sedation, such as drowsiness or nausea (rare and usually short-lived)
• Bleeding, particularly if a biopsy is taken (uncommon and usually minor)
• Perforation (a tear in the lining of the oesophagus, stomach, or duodenum) — very rare, but may require further treatment or surgery

Dr Choi will discuss the specific risks and benefits that apply to your situation and answer any questions before proceeding. Every effort is made to minimise risks and ensure your safety.

Colonoscopy is also a safe and routine procedure, but there are some risks to be aware of:

• Abdominal discomfort or bloating after the procedure (usually temporary)
• Reaction to sedation, such as drowsiness or nausea (rare and short-lived)
• Bleeding, especially if a polyp is removed (uncommon and usually minor, but occasionally may require treatment)
• Perforation (a tear in the bowel wall) — very rare, but may require further treatment or surgery
• Missed lesions, although uncommon, can occur with any diagnostic test

Dr Choi will discuss the specific risks and benefits that apply to your situation and answer any questions before proceeding. Every effort is made to minimise risks and ensure your safety.

No. Because of the sedation, you must not drive for 24 hours following your procedure. You'll need a responsible adult to collect you from the hospital and, ideally, stay with you overnight. For the same reason, please avoid operating machinery, making important decisions, signing legal documents, or drinking alcohol during that 24-hour period.

A full schedule of consultation fees, Medicare rebates, and expected out-of-pocket costs is available on our Fees & Payment page. Our team is always happy to talk you through the costs that apply to your appointment before you attend.

A "gap" is any out-of-pocket cost you may need to pay. It is the difference between the doctor's fee and the amount reimbursed by Medicare and, for procedures, your private health insurance.

For consultations, Medicare provides a fixed rebate. If the consultation fee is higher than this rebate, the difference is the gap. Private health insurance does not usually cover specialist consultations outside of hospital.

For procedures (such as gastroscopy or colonoscopy), Medicare and your health fund may cover part or all of the costs, including the specialist's fee, hospital fees, and anaesthetist fees. Depending on your level of cover, there may be no gap or a fixed out-of-pocket cost.

As insurance policies vary, we recommend that you contact your health fund to confirm your level of cover, including any excess or co-payments. Our team will provide you with fee information to assist with this and will aim to make any expected costs as clear as possible before your procedure.

Medicare provides a rebate for specialist consultations when you have a valid referral. There is usually a gap (out-of-pocket) payment between the consultation fee and the Medicare rebate. Our reception team can give you an estimated fee and rebate before your appointment.

Private health insurance with hospital cover (including endoscopy) allows you to have your procedure as a private patient in a private hospital with minimal out-of-pocket cost. Without private cover, there are self-funded options available — our team can explain the estimated costs and the alternatives before you commit.

Costs for endoscopic procedures include the proceduralist (Dr Choi), the specialist anaesthetist, and the hospital. Informed financial consent — a written estimate — will be provided before your procedure so there are no surprises. Please feel free to discuss any financial concerns with our rooms.

Consultations and procedures are privately billed. Concession holders and pensioners should speak with our reception team about available options.

We ask for at least 3 business days' notice for consultations and procedures so we can offer the slot to another patient. Late cancellations and non-attendance may incur a fee.

Yes. For non-urgent queries, please phone or email the rooms during business hours and our team will respond as soon as possible. For urgent medical concerns during non-business hours, please contact your GP or attend your nearest emergency department.