A gastroenterologist office visit for a new patient is a first-time visit with a doctor specializing in gastroenterology, a branch of medicine focusing on the digestive system. Common procedures performed by gastroenterologists include colonoscopy and upper endoscopy (EGD). A new patient office visit is needed if you have never seen this doctor and would be new to the practice, or it has been over 3 years since you last saw this doctor. /span>