Appointments: 704.377.0246     General: 704.377.4009
Referring MDs MyChart Online Payment Center
Frequently Asked Questions

Browse frequently asked questions about gastroenterology and our practice. 

To schedule an appointment, call 704.377.0246

Questions About Visiting a Gastroenterologist:

If you are over the age of 45, it is recommended by the CDC you should visit a gastroenterologist to have a screening colonoscopy. Other than this very important screening, you might choose to see a gastroenterologist if you are suffering from gastrointestinal symptoms.

Unless instructed otherwise, such as when undergoing a diagnostic test such as a colonoscopy, you are free to eat as you would normally prior to your regular gastroenterology appointment.  

You may need a referral to see a gastroenterologist depending on your insurance provider prior to making an appointment. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please call 704.377.0246.

Go to your insurance company’s website to get an updated network list and call your insurance company to best verify if your insurance will cover a screening or an office visit.

General Questions About Gastroenterologists:

Gastroenterologists can treat a variety of diseases related to the digestive system, including abdominal pain, acid reflux/GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, celiac disease, colitis, colonoscopy, Crohn’s disease, gallstones, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), liver disease, pancreatic disease, and ulcerative colitis.

Screenings and tests performed by gastroenterologists include colonoscopies, EGD/upper GI endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasounds, liver biopsy, sigmoidoscopies, video capsule endoscopies, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), EUS and cholangioscopy.

We also offer infusion therapies for iron deficiencies and Crohn’s disease, and radio-frequency ablation for Barrett’s esophagus.  

General Questions About Procedures and Appointments

First-time patients may call our office to schedule a screening colonoscopy. Then you will be given a questionnaire. To fill it out online, click here. Then you will either come into our office to learn more about the procedure or be scheduled. After our team reviews your form submission, you will be called for the next steps. Your primary care doctor may also refer you to one of our locations.

If you have had a prior colonoscopy performed at Charlotte Gastro, you will receive a recall letter in the mail stating you are due and the next steps.

You may eat Jell-O (no reds or purples), popsicles (no reds or purples), strained fruit juices which are light in color, broths with no pieces and those you can see light through, black coffee, hot tea, cola in moderation, sweet and unsweet tea.

Either message your provider using MyChart, or call our office for questions regarding your prescription. Otherwise, the prescription will be sent to you to take to your pharmacy before your procedure.

For prep instructions, they are found on our website under “forms.”

  1. The day before the exam the patient must follow a clear liquid diet; otherwise the day’s activities are unrestricted.
  2. That evening the patient takes medication that will induce diarrhea to cleanse the colon for the next day’s exam.
  3. The next morning the patient is brought to the designated facility, where an IV is started. The patient is sedated in a monitored setting for the procedure. The patient must have someone accompanying them for duration of the procedure.
  4. The actual colonoscopy procedure involves passing a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the tip through the large intestine, or colon. The colonoscope inspects and potentially removes or biopsies polyps or abnormal growths. This procedure can take anywhere from 15-60 minutes.
  5. Following the exam and a short recovery period, the patient is discharged from the facility and taken home by their designated escort. The patient is instructed to relax for the rest of the day. Typically, there are no other restrictions.

To learn more, click here.

You can access a number of patient education videos about colonoscopy and upper endoscopy at the website of The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) to learn more about the procedures.

Unfortunately, it is not unusual to become nauseated after taking the colonoscopy preparation. If your stool output is a light-yellow liquid or clear, without solid debris, the preparation that you have completed is probably adequate. If you have been unable to drink enough of the liquid due to nausea or vomiting, please call our office for further instructions.

Screening recommendations, as determined by a physician, depend on an individual’s risk for colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends a colonoscopy for colon cancer screening beginning at age 45.

People with a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer (such as those with specific gastrointestinal symptoms, certain genetic disorders, a personal history of polyps, or close family history of polyps or colorectal cancer) should begin screening at a younger age, more frequently.

  1. Stool-based screenings may still require a colonoscopy and results can also be a false-negative or false-positive, colonoscopies after a positive stool test are no longer considered preventative and therefore are not fully covered by insurance.
  2.  Polyps cannot be removed during a stool-based screening which can prevent the disease.
  3.  Stool-based screenings are not recommended for high-risk individuals, those with a history of colon polyps, or those with GI-related symptoms.

Choose one of the “How to” documents below based on whether you’re using a smart phone/tablet or a computer. Log in to your MyChart account and follow the guidelines in the document.
             How to Join MyChart Video Visit- Smart Phone/Tablet
             How to Join MyChart Video Visit- Computer

Contacting us

Charlotte Gastroenterology is pleased to offer patient portal access through MyChart. While Charlotte Gastro will remain an independently owned physician practice, we will now have enhanced communication with other Novant Health Community Connect (NHCC) providers, including those at Novant Health.

MyChart gives patients the opportunity to communicate with our office during times that are most convenient to them. Once your MyChart account is active, you will be able to:

  1. View lab results
  2. Send messages to your provider
  3. Request prescriptions
  4. Review personalized health information
  5. Pay your bills
  6. Access telemedicine visits with your provider through MyChart Video Visits

To create an account, call (704) 377-4009 to request an access code

Already have an account? Click here to log in.

Don’t worry, we have an after-hours option upon calling our line for clinical questions (704) 377-0246. You may also send your provider a MyChart message. 

To submit a testimonial, click here, you may also reach out to customerservice@charlottegastro.com. Please include your name, date of birth, and a good contact number for our records. 

 

Our experienced research staff includes our clinical research coordinators who recruit patients, prepare and submit regulatory documents to the sponsor and the IRB, assist in budget negotiations and provide continuous communication between study site and sponsor. We take great pride in strict protocol adherence, regulatory compliance, and continuous professionalism within every aspect of clinical research.

We are currently enrolling patients in these clinical trials: Celiac Disease, Crohn’s Disease, Colon Cancer Screenings, NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis), and Ulcerative Colitis.

To enroll, click here.

Our direct billing number is (704) 602-4382. 

Provider Information

To view our referring provider page, click here.

"The preparation for the colonoscopy was very easy with the pills. I was made at ease when I arrived at the facility, throughout the recovery, and exiting the facility. All in all, the experience was quite easy when you have professionals to rely on. Thank you!"
Elizabeth S. Ballantyne Endoscopy Center
"We always strive for perfection, but I believe your practice has come as close as possible."
Donald T.Matthews Medical Office
"Colonoscopies are not something that I look forward to however, every interaction with nurses, nurse anesthetists, to doctors was positive. Everyone seemed to be genuinely interested and concerned with my well-being and very knowledgeable. Happy to have had this experience! Thank you to the entire team that assisted in my care!"
Tracie C.Endoscopy Center Of Lake Norman
"ALL from check-in to prep to procedure - best service I’ve ever had in the health care sector."
Joseph P.Randolph Endoscopy Center
"There is nothing I would improve. As a patient and retired RN, I was totally impressed with everything about my visit."
Judith V.Mooresville Medical Office
"The entire Charlotte Gastro staff - from beginning to end - was professional, courteous, supportive, reassuring, warm and comforting. They helped decrease my anxiety leading up to my procedure. I can't sing everyone's praises enough! Bravo to Charlotte Gastro for the amazing healthcare professionals who are part of your wonderful team!"
Dionne F.Mooresville Endoscopy Center
"Drove from Mountain City Tennessee to have my procedure there. Your staff and doctors are very professional and caring. Thank you for all you did for us."
Joe M.Mooresville Endoscopy Center
"I have spent 30+ years and many physicians without a diagnosis. I now have a diagnosis and a plan."
Rachel M.Huntersville Medical Office
"The entire team from check-in to exit were professional and pleasant. My nurse answered all questions and smoothly went from initial questions to IV with solid professionalism. While I hope to not need your services in the future, I would be happy to use your facility again. More over, your people and service will get a solid recommendation with anyone who needs your services."
Mark R.Mooresville Endoscopy Center
"Very friendly and professional. It made the experience much more pleasant having people who were willing to talk through the process and show care and comfort."
Pamela M.Mooresville Endoscopy Center
"The Charlotte Gastro team is phenomenal. I’ve had two procedures at the Ballantine location and the staff were the nicest, most professional team a patient could want."
Sherry G.Ballantyne Endoscopy Center
"I trust the expertise of medical professionals but seldom experience positive interpersonal skills. My normal expectation is for perfunctory treatment ("complete this form", "have a seat," "you'll be called," etc). My first interaction in your office was warm, welcoming and friendly and carried through to interaction with Nurse Practitoner. I left feeling valued not only for the medical care I need but to have been treated as a valued individual."
Anthony N.Randolph Medical Office
"My whole team was exceptional! She was fantastic at setting my IV and making sure I had plenty of warm blankets. The Anesthesia staff were fun to chat with about pets and birds while we prepped and waited for Dr. My doctor's smile and kind bedside manner is always reassuring. And lastly, My nurse brought me much-needed water and drove me to the door, and said goodbye. Wonderful experience from start to finish! And, in 5 years, I’m hoping they will all be on my care team again!! 5 ⭐️s"
Stacy D.Ballantyne Endoscopy Center
"My doctor was extremely professional, and thorough, and had a terrific bedside manner. He reviewed the procedure before and afterwards with me. He removed 9 polyps and explained none appeared to be cancerous but they would send to lab just to make sure. He shared the results with my son outside in the car which I thought was very personal. For having such an unpleasant experience, he made it undeniably more comfortable and accommodative."
Roy M.Randolph Endoscopy Center
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