FAQ

Appointments & Logistics

• How do I book an appointment? You can book online by choosing your visit type on our website or by calling us at (713) 497-1143.
• What is a “Fast Track” appointment? It is our commitment to provide specialized gastroenterology appointments within 3–5 business days.
• What are your office hours? We are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
• Where are you located? We proudly serve patients in Willowbrook, Tomball, Cypress, and The Woodlands.
• Can I schedule a telemedicine visit? Yes, telemedicine is an available visit type on our online booking page.
• Do you accept new patients? Yes, we welcome new patients and have a specific booking option available on our website.
• What should I do if I’m an established patient? You can select the “Established Patients” option on our online booking portal.
• Do you offer hospital follow-ups? Yes, we have a dedicated booking category for hospital follow-up visits.
• How can I contact the office directly? You can call us at (713) 497-1143 or email info@shayagiclinic.com.
• Is there an easy way to prepare for my visit? Yes, we recommend watching our education videos and downloading preparation guides from our website before your appointment.

Insurance & Payments

• What insurance do you accept? We accept a variety of plans, including Wellcare, Wellpoint, American Health Plan of Texas, and many others listed on our website.
• What if my insurance isn’t listed? Please call our office at (713) 497-1143 to verify if we accept your specific plan, as our accepted insurance list may be updated.
• Does my insurance require a referral? This depends on your specific plan; please contact our office with your insurance details so we can assist you.

Procedures (General)

• What is an “Open Access” colonoscopy? It allows you to schedule a screening colonoscopy directly without a prior office consultation, provided you meet certain health criteria.
• How do I prepare for my procedure? We provide easy-to-follow preparation guides and education videos for each procedure on our website.
• Why is preparation important? Proper preparation ensures the quality of your procedure, helps prevent delays, and allows our team to provide you with the best possible care.
• What if I have questions about my preparation? Please contact our office before your appointment if you have any questions.
• Are the procedure guides available online? Yes, you can download guides for colonoscopy, capsule endoscopy, and manometry directly from our website.
• What happens if I don’t follow the prep instructions? It may lead to delays or the need to reschedule your procedure.

Colonoscopy & Screening

• What is a colonoscopy? It is a procedure using a thin, flexible tube with a camera to examine the inside of your rectum and colon.
• What does a colonoscopy detect? It can help identify polyps, inflammation, bleeding, ulcers, and other abnormal changes in the colon.
• Can you remove polyps? Yes, we can identify and remove polyps during the procedure.
• How do I prepare for a colonoscopy? You must follow specific fasting, medication, and bowel-cleansing instructions provided in our patient guides.
• What is GoLYTELY? It is a prescription bowel-cleansing solution used to empty the colon before your colonoscopy.
• What is EZ2GO? It is a bowel-preparation kit used to ensure a clear view during your colonoscopy.

Other Procedures

• What is an upper endoscopy (EGD)? It is used to evaluate the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine for symptoms such as reflux or swallowing difficulty.
• What is capsule endoscopy? You swallow a vitamin-sized capsule with a camera to take images of your digestive tract, which are transmitted to a recorder.
• What is Bravo™ pH testing? It is a wireless study used to measure acid exposure over time to help guide the evaluation and management of reflux symptoms.
• What is esophageal manometry? It evaluates how the muscles and nerves of the esophagus function during swallowing, helping guide care for motility-related concerns.
• What is anorectal manometry? It measures how well the muscles and nerves of your rectum and anus work during a bowel movement to help identify causes of constipation or incontinence.
• Do you offer hemorrhoid treatment? Yes, we offer safe, in-office hemorrhoid banding without surgery or hospitalization.
• What is a FibroScan®? It is a non-invasive, ultrasound-based test used to assess liver stiffness and fat content in patients with fatty liver disease.

Conditions Treated

• Do you treat IBS? Yes, we offer integrative, individualized care for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
• Do you treat GERD? Yes, we provide evaluation and management for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
• Do you treat IBD? Yes, we provide comprehensive care for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, including infusion therapy.
• Can you help with abdominal pain and bloating? Yes, we evaluate and treat these common symptoms.
• Do you treat fatty liver disease? Yes, we offer management and diagnostic testing for fatty liver.
• What other GI conditions do you treat? We also treat chronic pancreatitis, gallstones, pancreatic cancer, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, Celiac disease, SIBO, gastroparesis, peptic ulcer disease, and diverticular disorders.

Care Philosophy & Signature Program

• What is “Care Beyond Visits”? It is our signature program providing structured, ongoing support between your scheduled office appointments.
• What does “Care Beyond Visits” include? It includes structured follow-ups, review of lab results, medication adjustments, and symptom monitoring.
• Is “Care Beyond Visits” mandatory? Participation is optional and tailored to your specific condition and goals.
• Will I see the same doctor? Yes, our goal is to provide consistent care from the same physician.
• Who is the provider? Dr. (Naga) Saranya Addepally is our board-certified gastroenterologist.
• What is your care philosophy? We believe care begins with listening and that no concern is too uncomfortable to address.
• Do you offer nutritional guidance? Yes, our care often includes nutrition and lifestyle reinforcement to support long-term health.

Testing & Results

• What is an H. pylori Breath Test? It is a non-invasive test used to detect Helicobacter pylori infection, which can contribute to ulcers.
• What is a SIBO Breath Test? It is used to evaluate for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in patients with persistent bloating or gas.
• How are my lab results handled? We review lab results and provide clear explanations and guidance on next steps.

Location & Navigation

• Where is Shaya Digestive & Liver Clinic located?
  • Answer: We proudly serve patients at locations in Willowbrook, Tomball, and Cypress. You can find our specific address details on our website or by clicking “View on Google Map” on our contact page.
• How do I get driving directions to your office?
  • Answer: You can easily find the best route to our offices by visiting our contact page and clicking the “View on Google Map” link, which will open directions in your preferred navigation app.
• Which cities do you serve?
  • Answer: We provide expert digestive health services for patients throughout Willowbrook, Tomball, Cypress, and The Woodlands.
• Is there parking available at your clinic locations?
  • Answer: Yes, our clinic locations provide convenient access for patients. We recommend checking the specific address on Google Maps for parking details associated with the medical building.
• Are your offices open on weekends?
  • Answer: No, our offices are open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We are closed on weekends.
• What should I do if I have trouble finding the office?
  • Answer: If you have any difficulty navigating to our clinic, please call our front desk at (713) 497-1143, and our staff will be happy to guide you.