Frequently Asked Questions

Summit Gastroenterology sees patients age 18 and older. We are unable to see pediatric patients at this time. If your child requires GI care, please ask your pediatrician for a referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist.

Please bring your insurance card, a valid photo ID, a list of all current medications (including over-the-counter medications and supplements), any relevant prior medical records, laboratory results, or imaging studies, and a list of questions or concerns you would like to discuss with Dr. Pudhota.

New patients are asked to arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment to allow time to complete intake paperwork. Established patients should arrive 10 minutes before their scheduled time. Please contact our office if you anticipate being late.

Colonoscopy requires a bowel preparation the day before your procedure. You will follow specific dietary restrictions and take a bowel cleansing solution to clear the colon. Detailed, written preparation instructions will be provided by our office when your procedure is scheduled. Please follow these instructions carefully, as a thorough preparation is important for the success and safety of the procedure.

Before an upper endoscopy, you will need to fast, typically nothing to eat or drink for at least 6 to 8 hours before the procedure. You will also need a responsible adult to drive you home, as sedation is used. Our office will provide specific instructions tailored to your situation when your procedure is scheduled.

Yes. Our office will provide complete written preparation instructions for any procedure you are scheduled for. Please read these instructions carefully and contact our office with any questions before your procedure date.

Procedures are performed at accredited facilities separate from our office locations. Dr. Pudhota performs procedures at Baylor Surgicare Facility Mansfield, Texas Health Hospital Mansfield, and Calloway Creek Surgery Center in North Richland Hills. Your specific procedure location will be communicated when your procedure is scheduled.

We understand that schedules change. Please contact our office as soon as possible if you need to reschedule. Providing advance notice helps us accommodate other patients who may need timely care. Please refer to our office policies for any specific cancellation or rescheduling requirements.

Please bring your current insurance card(s) to every appointment. If you have both primary and secondary insurance, bring cards for both. If your plan requires a referral from your primary care physician, please ensure that referral is in place before your visit. Our staff is happy to help answer questions about insurance coverage.

Some insurance plans require a referral from your primary care physician before seeing a specialist. Please check with your insurance provider in advance. If a referral is required, please have your primary care physician send it to our office prior to your appointment.

Summit Gastroenterology participates with many insurance plans, but coverage and network status may vary by plan, employer group, referral requirements, and procedure location. To review our current insurance participation information, please visit our Insurance & Referral Information page. We also recommend contacting your insurance company directly to confirm benefits, copays, deductibles, coinsurance, referral requirements, and prior authorization requirements before your visit.

Most procedures, including colonoscopy and upper endoscopy, are performed under sedation for your comfort. You will need to arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home after any procedure that involves sedation. You should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or make important decisions for the remainder of the day following sedation.

Results from procedures and laboratory tests will be communicated to you by our office. This may occur at a follow-up appointment, by phone, or through written correspondence depending on the nature of the results. Biopsy results typically take a few business days to return from the laboratory.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency (including severe abdominal pain, significant rectal bleeding, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or any life-threatening symptoms), call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Do not wait for a scheduled office appointment.