A colonoscopy is performed to allow your consultant to examine inside you for a number of complaints, including growths, diverticular disease and bowel cancer amongst others. The procedure is usually done with a sedative, meaning that you won’t need to be put to sleep but you won’t feel any pain during the procedure.

You will be asked to lie on your side and your consultant will insert a scope into your back passage. The scope will be passed through your bowel and will display images on a screen so that the consultant can diagnose your symptoms. During the procedure, the consultant may need to take biopsies. These are small samples of tissue that can be used to help with your diagnosis. They will be sent away to be examined and your results will be sent directly to your consultant to discuss with you during your follow up appointment.

During the procedure the consultant may ask you to change positions so that they can examine you from different angles and see different areas. The procedure takes around 30 minutes and is performed as a day case, meaning that you can leave the hospital on the same day.

Although you may feel a bit uncomfortable for a short time afterwards and slightly tired from the sedative, complications from a colonoscopy are not common but can occur on some occasions. 

You must not drive for 24-hours following your procedure.

Please note, there is a chance of 1:1000 bleeding and 1:1000 perforation, which may require an operation to correct. Mr Stylianides will discuss everything with you prior to your procedure.