Overview:
A colonoscopy is often used to screen for cancer and to view the lining of the colon. For this procedure, the doctor uses a thin, flexible tube, which contains a light and a camera, called a colonoscope. It sends live video of you colon to a monitor. Still images from the video may be captured as a record of your exam. The colonoscope has channels that tools can be passed through and these tools can remove growths or take a biopsy (tissue sample).
You may need a colonoscopy if:
- 50 years old (screening for colon cancer)
- Family history of colon cancer
- Rectal pain and Bleeding
- A sudden and consistent change in bowel movements
Preparing for your Colonoscopy:
The nurse will instruct you how to prepare your bowel for the colonoscopy. Bowel preparation helps ensure that your colon is empty and can be viewed clearly. You will be given specific instructions for bowel preparation, follow these instructions fully. If you don’t, the procedure may need to be rescheduled.
- Bring your medications or a list of medications with you to the hospital.
- Because you will be given sedating medication for your procedure, you MUST arrange for someone to drive you home.
- Since sedation medications decrease your reflexes just like alcohol, you SHOULD NOT DRIVE at all on the day of your EGD.
You may hear about the results of the colonoscopy before you go home or they may take longer, especially if a biopsy was done. If a biopsy was done, you will be hearing from the doctors office with the results. If needed, more tests or treatments may be recommended.
Please contact us to schedule an appointment with our surgeons, Dr. Stone and Dr. Sufficool.
Krames Patient Education. (2015). Upper GI Endoscopy: A direct view of the upper digestive tract. USA: The StayWell Company, LLC.
Krames Patient Education. (2015). Colonoscopy: A direct view of the lower digestive tract. USA: The StayWell Company, LLC.