Colonoscopy

Before your colonoscopy, you’ll need to empty your bowel. This is to help your consultant get clear views of the inside of your colon.

To empty your bowel, you’ll be given pills or medicine, such as a laxative, to take the day before your procedure.

You’ll also be given detailed information by your expert multidisciplinary team about what you can eat and drink before your colonoscopy.

This may include them advising you to eat more low roughage foods. Roughage is the part of food that is not fully digested as it passes through the bowel.

If you normally take medication or supplements, your care team will also discuss with you if you need to stop taking these and the best times to do so.

Your world-leading consultant will perform your colonoscopy as an outpatient procedure.

If you are worried about the procedure, we’ll offer you medication, such as a sedative, to help you feel more relaxed.

During your colonoscopy, you’ll lie on your side on an examination couch, with your knees drawn up towards your chest.

Your consultant will squeeze some liquid or gel into your back passage that allows for smooth movement.

They will then insert a long, thin, flexible tube (colonoscope) into your anus, then gently guide it through the bowel and into the last part of your small intestine.

They may also pump small amounts of air or carbon dioxide gas into your bowel. The air or carbon dioxide inflates the colon, which provides a better view of the lining of the bowel.

A camera at the end of the colonoscope sends high-quality images of the inside of your bowel to a computer screen.

Your consultant looks at the screen during the investigation to pick up on anything that doesn’t look right.

During your colonoscopy, your consultant may also use tiny surgical instruments at the end of the tube to take body tissue samples (biopsies) or remove polyps or other abnormal growths.

A colonoscopy usually lasts less than 30 minutes, but this will depend on whether any biopsies are taken or polyps removed.

Your consultant may be able to discuss what they’ve seen during your colonoscopy as soon as you feel able to chat.

They may also arrange an appointment to discuss the results of tests carried out on any body tissue or polyps removed during your procedure.

These results are usually available in three to four working days.

At this appointment, your consultant may explain your diagnosis, discuss your treatment options and chat through any worries you may have.

They could also recommend a follow-up colonoscopy. But this will depend on the results of your tests, the size and number of polyps found, your age and other risk factors.

After your colonoscopy, you’ll recover in our calming and comfortable Endoscopy Unit until you feel ready to go home.

For most people, this doesn’t take long and you’ll be able to return to your normal activities straightaway.

However, if any large polyps were removed, you should rest and recover at home for a day, to help prevent bleeding.

If you were sedated during your colonoscopy, you’ll recover in our purpose-built unit for about an hour afterwards.

You’ll need to arrange for someone to take you home, and we recommend someone stays overnight with you as well.

We also advise that you don’t drink alcohol, drive, work or operate machinery for 24 hours, as you won’t be as mentally alert as usual.

After your procedure, you may experience wind and cramping pain, which should soon settle down.

Our nursing team will offer you painkillers to ease any discomfort, and a hot water bottle can also help.

Your multidisciplinary team of gastroenterologists, endoscopists and specialist nurses will work closely together to reduce any risk and support your safe recovery.

Rarely, complications of a colonoscopy may include:

• Bleeding from where a tissue sample (biopsy) was taken, or a polyp or other abnormal growth was removed
• Tearing (perforation) in the colon or rectum wall
• A reaction to the sedative used during the procedure