Screening Colonoscopy & Diagnostic EGD in Washington, DC
A boutique endoscopy experience from a quadruple board-certified gastroenterologist
Bowel prep: 1 day before the procedure
Total visit time: under 3 hours
Sedation: Propofol with CRNA
What is a screening colonoscopy?
A screening colonoscopy is a preventive exam recommended for adults beginning at age 45. A thin, flexible camera is gently inserted to examine the lining of your colon for polyps (precancerous growths) or other abnormalities. If a polyp is found, it’s removed during the same procedure — often preventing colon cancer before it starts. The entire procedure takes about 15-30 minutes while you’re comfortably sedated.What is an upper endoscopy (EGD)?
An EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) is a diagnostic procedure where a small camera examines your esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine. It’s used to evaluate symptoms like heartburn, difficulty swallowing, stomach pain, or unexplained nausea. Biopsies can be taken during the procedure if needed. You’re sedated and comfortable throughout — most patients don’t remember the procedure at all.Before your procedure: do’s and dont’s
Do
- Follow your bowel prep instructions exactly as written
- Drink plenty of clear liquids during prep day to stay hydrated
- Arrange a responsible adult to drive you home (required)
- Take your blood pressure and heart medications the morning of with a small sip of water
- Upload your insurance card and photo ID at the time of scheduling
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
- Tell us about ALL medications you take, especially blood thinners and GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro)
- Plan for payment before the day of your procedure — we’ll provide your estimate in advance
- Bring your CPAP machine if you use one for sleep apnea
- Continue clear liquids until midnight, then nothing by mouth
Dont’s
- Don’t eat any solid food the day before your procedure
- Don’t drink red, orange, or purple liquids (they look like blood during the exam)
- Don’t stop blood thinners without specific instructions from our office
- Don’t take iron supplements for 7 days before your procedure
- Don’t take NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve) for 4-5 days before
- Don’t drive yourself home — you will receive sedation and cannot drive for 24 hours
- Don’t take your diabetes medication the morning of the procedure
- Don’t use Uber/Lyft/taxi alone — a responsible adult must accompany you at discharge
- Don’t chew gum or eat candy the morning of your procedure
- Don’t skip your prep — an incomplete prep means we may need to reschedule
The Gut Theory Prep Survival Kit
- Step-by-step prep instruction card with QR code to Dr. Laster-Butler’s personal prep video
- Clear chicken and vegetable broth packets
- Electrolyte hydration packets (lemon-lime)
- Clear popsicles (no red or purple)
- Flushable wet wipes (fragrance-free)
- Zinc oxide barrier cream for comfort
- Clear hard candies for nausea and taste relief
- A personal handwritten note from your doctor
Colonoscopy prep instructions
Download your personalized prep guide before your procedure.
MiraLAX + Gatorade Prep
- Split-dose method
- Includes survival kit tips
- Over-the-counter supplies
SUPREP® Prep
- Split-dose method
- Includes survival kit tips
- Prescription required
Not sure which prep to use?
Your care team will confirm which prep Dr. Laster-Butler has prescribed for you when you schedule. Questions?
Call usUnderstanding your out-of-network coverage
Gut Theory Surgery Center is an out-of-network provider. Here’s how it works — and why many patients find our pricing competitive with in-network hospitals.
How your insurance works here
We haven’t signed contracts with insurance companies — and that’s intentional. It lets us keep our center small, spend more time with each patient, and focus on quality over volume. Most PPO plans still cover a significant portion of the cost through your out-of-network benefits.1
You call us to verify your benefits
Share your insurance info when you schedule. Our team contacts your insurer to determine your OON deductible, coinsurance, and estimated cost.
2
You get a written estimate
Before your procedure, we tell you exactly what you’ll owe — in writing. No surprises.
3
We bill your insurance
After your procedure, we submit claims on your behalf and handle all the paperwork.
Cash-pay pricing
Screening colonoscopy, all-inclusive. No hidden fees. HSA/FSA accepted.
Competitive Price
Call for details- Facility
- Physician
- Sedation
Financing Options
We offer financing through CareCredit and Cherry to help make non-surgical weight loss procedures more accessible. Explore the available options and choose what works best for you.
Meet Dr. Janese Laster-Butler
Dr. Janese Laster-Butler is a highly qualified physician, board-certified in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Obesity, and Nutrition. As an experienced doctor of colonoscopy, she provides personalized, patient-centered care and helps patients feel informed and supported throughout the colonoscopy screening process. Her goal is to make preventive digestive care more approachable while helping patients protect their health through early detection and expert guidance.
Learn more
Am I due for a screening colonoscopy?
Answer a few quick questions to find out if it’s time. This takes less than 60 seconds.
Why choose us
At Gut Theory Surgery Center, we built the endoscopy experience we’d want for ourselves — personal, transparent, and unhurried. Here’s what makes us different.
Board-certified expertise
Dr. Janese Laster-Butler is quadruple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Obesity, and Nutrition, specializing in bariatric endoscopy — the only physician with this distinction in DC, MD, and VA.
Small center, personal touch
No crowded waiting rooms. No rotating staff. You’re greeted by name, cared for by the same small team, and Dr. Laster-Butler performs your procedure personally.
Scheduling in less than a month
No more 6+ month wait times! Most patients are scheduled in less than a month. We respect your time — arrive, prep, procedure, recover, and home in under 3 hours.
Zero surprise billing
We verify your insurance benefits and provide a written cost estimate before your procedure. You’ll know exactly what to expect — no hidden fees, no surprise bills.
Personalized follow-up call the next day
Our staff personally calls every patient the morning after their procedure to check in — how are you feeling? Any questions? Because at Gut Theory, our care doesn’t end when you leave.
Complimentary Prep Survival Kit
Every patient receives a curated care package delivered to their door — clear broth, electrolytes, comfort items, and a personal note from your doctor.
FAQs
What is a screening colonoscopy?
A screening colonoscopy is a preventive exam recommended for adults beginning at age 45. A thin, flexible camera is gently inserted to examine the lining of your colon for polyps (precancerous growths) or other abnormalities. If a polyp is found, it’s removed during the same procedure — often preventing colon cancer before it starts. The entire procedure takes about 15-30 minutes while you’re comfortably sedated.
What is an upper endoscopy (EGD)?
An EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) is a diagnostic procedure where a small camera examines your esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine. It’s used to evaluate symptoms like heartburn, difficulty swallowing, stomach pain, or unexplained nausea. Biopsies can be taken during the procedure if needed. You’re sedated and comfortable throughout — most patients don’t remember the procedure at all.
Will I be asleep during the procedure?
You’ll receive propofol sedation administered by a dedicated nurse anesthetist (CRNA). This is the same sedation used at major medical centers. You’ll be comfortably asleep for the 15-30 minute procedure and wake up feeling well. Most patients say, “That’s it? I don’t remember a thing.” Recovery takes about 30-45 minutes, and you’ll be ready to go home.
Is the bowel prep really that bad?
The prep has improved significantly in recent years — it’s not what your parents described. Modern prep solutions are smaller in volume and better-tasting. Our complimentary Prep Survival Kit includes everything you need to make the day as comfortable as possible, including electrolyte drinks, clear broth, popsicles, comfort items, and a personal prep video from Dr. Laster-Butler walking you through every step. Most patients tell us the anticipation was worse than the reality.
Your center is out-of-network — what will I pay?
We verify your specific insurance benefits before your procedure and provide a written cost estimate so you know exactly what to expect. Most PPO plans (including FEHB/federal employee plans, CareFirst PPO, Aetna, Cigna, UHC) have out-of-network benefits that cover a significant portion of the cost. For patients without OON coverage or who prefer to pay cash, we provide a discounted all-inclusive rate for a screening colonoscopy — often less than what hospitals charge even in-network after their facility fees. Please call for details. We accept HSA/FSA cards and offer financing through Cherry and CareCredit with various payment plan options to fit your budget.
Why should I choose a small surgery center over a hospital?
Hospital endoscopy suites often schedule 30-50 patients per day across multiple rooms and rotating physicians. At Gut Theory, Dr. Laster-Butler performs every procedure personally in a small, private, AAAHC-certified surgery center. You’re not a number — you’re greeted by name, cared for by the same team, and the doctor speaks with you and your family after the procedure. Research shows ASC facility fees are approximately 55% lower than hospital fees for the same procedure, and complication rates are equivalent or better.
I’m on Ozempic / Wegovy / Mounjaro — do I need to stop it?
If you’re on a weekly GLP-1 medication (semaglutide injection, tirzepatide, dulaglutide), current guidelines recommend holding it at least 7 days before your procedure. If you’re on a daily formulation (oral semaglutide, liraglutide), hold at least 24 hours before. This is because these medications slow stomach emptying, which can affect sedation safety. We’ll provide specific instructions when you schedule. If you’re experiencing nausea or GI symptoms from your medication, please let us know — we may recommend additional precautions.
I’m on a blood thinner — can I still have the procedure?
Yes, but specific medication management is needed. Aspirin can usually be continued. Other blood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Pradaxa, Plavix, Brilinta) require temporary discontinuation with specific timelines. If you have a cardiac stent or high-risk condition, we’ll coordinate with your cardiologist before the procedure. When you call to schedule, we’ll review your medications and give you a personalized plan for what to hold and when.
How long does the whole visit take?
Plan for approximately 2 to 2.5 hours from arrival to discharge. You’ll check in, change into a gown, have an IV placed, meet your CRNA, and speak with Dr. Laster-Butler. The procedure itself takes 15-30 minutes. Recovery is about 30-45 minutes. Before you leave, the doctor will review your findings and photos with you and your driver.
When will I get my results?
Dr. Laster-Butler discusses preliminary findings with you and your driver immediately after the procedure, including showing photos from inside your colon or upper GI tract. If biopsies or polyps were taken, pathology results are typically available within 5-7 business days. Dr. Laster-Butler will personally review the pathology results and send both you and your referring physician a portal message with your results available to download for your records. If there is anything abnormal, you will receive a personal call from Dr. Laster-Butler to discuss findings and next steps. Your referring doctor also receives a full procedure report the same day.
How easy is it to get to Gut Theory Total Digestive Care office?
Gut Theory Total Digestive Care office is located in Friendship Heights, right next to Friendship Heights Metro Station on the Red Line, making it easy to reach from many parts of Washington, DC, including Chevy Chase, Tenleytown, the American University area, and other Northwest DC neighborhoods.
Our Location
Screening colonoscopy and EDG consultations are available at our Friendship Heights office near Friendship Heights Metro on the Red Line, near Chevy Chase, Tenleytown, Wakefield, the American University area, Bethesda, Westgate, and Northwest DC areas.
Mon – Fri:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
