Preparation

• Prior to receiving a colonoscopy you need to prepare by cleansing your colon. Your doctor will prescribe laxatives and possibly enemas for the preparation. You should follow instructions exactly as your doctor has ordered. The day prior to your procedure you will be permitted to have only clear liquids including black coffee, tea, water, clear broth, clear juices, popsicles and jello, except in the colors red or purple. You will have frequent loose and liquid bowel movements because of the laxatives. You should not take blood thinners, iron pills, aspirin or pain relievers the day before your colonoscopy. You will need to fast for about 6 to 8 hours prior to the procedure according to your doctor's instructions.
  
  

The Procedure

• For the procedure itself you will be given some type of anesthesia. It may be a sedative, "twilight sleep," or you may be completely unconscious. Before you receive the anesthesia, you will be asked to turn on your left side. The doctor will place a colonoscope, which has a very tiny video camera on the end, into your rectum. You doctor will inflate your colon so he can examine it better. Your doctor will watch images on a video monitor. If he finds polyps or wants to take biopsies, he can insert other instruments through the colonoscope. The entire procedure takes between 20 minutes and 1 hour. It should be painless for you.
  
  

Care Following the Colonoscopy

• When the procedure is over you will be in a recovery area for about an hour while the sedative or anesthesia wears off. You must have someone with you to drive you home. You will need a full day to fully recover from the anesthetic effects. You will be gassy for a while following the procedure. Although the doctor tries to remove most of the air at the conclusion of the colonoscopy, some air will remain in your colon. It can also cause you to feel bloated. You will feel better as the gas is released. If you feel pain following the procedure be sure to inform your doctor. When you have your first bowel movement you may see a bit of blood in the stool, and this is normal. If you are continuing to bleed or if you begin to pass clots, you should notify your doctor at once. In addition, if you experience persistent pain or a 100-degree or higher fever you should contact your doctor.
  
  

Results of the Colonoscopy

• Your doctor may give some preliminary results of the procedure as soon as you are awake. He will also schedule a follow-up visit to discuss his findings as well as the results of any biopsies that he took during the colonoscopy. If he does not find anything abnormal you may not need to have another procedure for several years. If he found polyps or anything unusual he may ask you to repeat the colonoscopy sooner.