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You will stay in the hospital until your nurse is sure you can swallow normally and are fit enough to go home. This is usually two or three hours after the test.
When you get home, take it easy for the rest of the day. You should be able to go back to work the next morning.
If you had a sedative injection before your test, there are some extra precautions to take:
- Ask a responsible adult, with transport, to take you home.
- Don’t drive, operate machinery, or drink alcohol for 24 hours.
- Don’t make important decisions (for example, signing papers) for 24 hours.
- If you live alone, you may like to ask someone to stay the night with you. Alternatively, your doctor may suggest that you stay in hospital overnight.
After-effects
You may have a slight nose bleed after the test – or you may notice some blood in your phlegm. This is normal, and it will usually settle within 24 hours.
Your throat may be a little sore, and you may have a hoarse voice. This should ease within a day or two.
