Colonoscopy

• Authorization will be arranged by the rooms or hospital staff if required.

• Bowel preparation must be completed as instructed to clean the colon.

• Clear liquid diet is usually required the day before the procedure.

• Fasting instructions will be provided.

• Most chronic medications may be taken unless advised otherwise.

• Inform your doctor if you are taking blood-thinning medication.

• Diabetic medication instructions will be discussed in advance.

​Colonoscopy is usually performed under sedation. You will be monitored throughout the procedure. Recovery staff will observe you until the sedation wears off.

Colonoscopy is usually performed as a day procedure.

• A flexible scope is passed through the anus and advanced through the colon.

• Air or carbon dioxide is gently introduced to improve visibility.

• Polyps may be removed, and biopsies may be taken if required.

• Therapeutic procedures, such as control of bleeding, can be performed during the examination.

Good bowel preparation is essential for an accurate and safe procedure.

The procedure usually takes 20–45 minutes.

• Abdominal cramping or bloating (common and temporary)

• Bleeding, particularly after polyp removal

• Infection (rare)

• Perforation (tear) of the bowel (very rare)

• Reaction to sedation

• Unintended damage to surrounding structures

• Complications are uncommon. Contact the rooms or seek medical attention urgently if you experience severe abdominal pain, persistent bleeding, fever, or dizziness after the procedure.

• This is a day procedure, and patients are usually discharged the same day.