Colonoscopy
How is a Colonoscopy Performed?
One day prior to the procedure, patients must complete a bowel “prep”- a prescribed preparation consisting of liquids and/or pills that will cleanse the bowels of stool and other residue. This allows for complete visualization of the bowel surface during the procedure. Your doctor will most likely give you a list of dietary and medication restrictions to adhere to in the days leading up to the procedure. The most important part of the procedure is your completion of the cleansing process as requested by your physician. If you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to discuss your concerns with your physician before the day of the procedure.
During the colonoscopy, most patients receive intravenous sedation. One or more medications are administered to help patients remain comfortable for the duration of the procedure. The colonoscope which is a long, thin flexible instrument with a camera that provides magnified views of the colon and rectum is inserted via the rectum and advanced to the first portion of the colon, where it is connected to the end of the small intestine. Any polyps or other abnormalities encountered during the colonoscopy will be removed and/or biopsied and sent to a laboratory for analysis. For most patients, the entire procedure takes thirty minutes to complete.
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Post Colonoscopy
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After the colonoscopy is completed, some patients may experience slight discomfort in the form of abdominal cramping and “gas pains,” though this quickly resolves by passing any gas/air that was insufflated during the procedure. In many cases, patients do not recall specifics of the procedure itself due to the sedation. It is always important to have the individual who will be taking you home be there to discuss the discharge instructions with the physician and nurse before discharge.
Following a colonoscopy, patients usually resume their regular diet. Resumption of your pre-procedure medications will be determined by your physician. Some restrictions for driving and activity levels apply when intravenous sedation medications are given to sedate patients immediately prior to colonoscopy. These medications affect judgment and coordination for variable amounts of time following the procedure. Most patients are able to resume normal activity the morning following the colonoscopy.
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Colonoscopies are easy to postpone, but screening is extremely important. Our office offers a patient-centered, hassle-free Open Access Colonoscopy Program, which is designed to provide you with the convenience of scheduling your colonoscopy without the additional wait of an office consultation. This saves you time and money while still maintaining your access to the highest quality physicians.
For more information on our Open Access Colonoscopy Program, please visit the Open Access Colonoscopy tab under the Treatment section of the website or click the button below.
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To schedule an appointment, please call our office at (860) 826-3880 or request an appointment online. If appropriate and availability allows, a consultation appointment will be scheduled for you to be seen by one of our experienced physicians, generally, within a two-week timeframe of contacting the office. Procedures are generally scheduled shortly thereafter.
