What to Expect When Attending for a Colonoscopy
If you are booked to have a colonoscopy, this page explains what usually happens before, during, and after the procedure.
A colonoscopy is a camera test used to examine the inside of the large bowel. It can help investigate symptoms such as rectal bleeding, change in bowel habit, abdominal pain, anaemia, a positive FIT test, or previous polyps.
Before your colonoscopy
Before your colonoscopy, you will receive a prescription for your bowel preparation.
The bowel preparation is used to clear the bowel so that the lining can be seen clearly during the procedure. The instructions are included inside the box and are usually straightforward to follow. You will also receive instructions by email from Mr Stylianides’ office.
You will usually need to prepare the day before your colonoscopy. This will include:
- following the dietary instructions provided
- a period of fasting
- drinking the bowel preparation
- staying close to a toilet while the bowel preparation works
The bowel preparation causes diarrhoea, which is expected. This is what clears the bowel ready for the test.
On the day of your colonoscopy
On the day of your colonoscopy, you will attend Spire Manchester Hospital and be admitted to the ward by the nursing staff.
The nursing team will check your details, go through some routine questions, and make sure you are ready for the procedure.
Mr Stylianides will see you before the colonoscopy to check that you are well, confirm the plan, and answer any last-minute questions.
A small cannula will usually be inserted into a vein in your arm or hand. This allows medication to be given if you require intravenous sedation or other medications during the procedure.
In the endoscopy room
You will then be taken to the endoscopy room.
There, you will be introduced to the endoscopy nurses who will be looking after you during the procedure. Their role is to support you, monitor your comfort and safety, and assist Mr Stylianides during the colonoscopy.
Before the procedure starts, standard safety checks will be completed. These checks are routine and are done for every patient.
If sedation is being used, this will then be administered through the cannula.
During the colonoscopy
During the colonoscopy, a flexible camera is passed through the back passage and around the large bowel. This allows careful inspection of the lining of the bowel.
If needed, small samples called biopsies may be taken. If polyps are found, they may be removed during the procedure where appropriate.
A colonoscopy can sometimes be uncomfortable. Different patients require different amounts of sedation.
Where possible, light sedation is usually the safest way for the procedure to be completed, especially if you remain comfortable throughout. On occasion, some patients experience more discomfort and require higher doses of sedation.
Higher doses of sedation can make you more sleepy and may lead to loss of memory for parts of the procedure.
After the procedure
After the colonoscopy, you will be taken to the recovery area or ward, where the nursing staff will monitor you while the sedation wears off.
Mr Stylianides will let you know the findings of the procedure before you go home. You may also receive written information about the result.
If biopsies have been taken or polyps removed, these samples are sent to the laboratory. Results usually take around 7 to 10 days to be processed. You will then be invited back to clinic to discuss the results and any further treatment or follow-up that may be needed.
Going home after sedation
If you have sedation, you must have someone responsible to take you home and stay with you overnight for safety reasons.
Following sedation, it is against hospital policy for you to drive yourself home. You should also not go home alone by taxi or public transport.
You should arrange for a responsible adult to collect you from the hospital and remain with you overnight.
What to avoid after sedation
After sedation, your judgement and reactions may be affected for the rest of the day.
You should avoid:
- driving
- drinking alcohol
- operating machinery
- signing important documents
- making major decisions
You should rest for the remainder of the day and follow any discharge advice given by the hospital team.
Follow-up
Your follow-up will depend on the findings of the colonoscopy.
You may be invited back to clinic to discuss:
- biopsy results
- polyp results
- whether further treatment is needed
- whether repeat colonoscopy surveillance is required
- ongoing symptoms or concerns
The aim is to make sure you understand the findings clearly and know what happens next.