• The check-in process takes about 30 minutes.
• The colonoscopy procedure takes about 30-60 minutes.
• You will also need to wait in a recovery room after the procedure. This will usually last about an hour.
• Full recovery from the sedative may take up to 24 hours.

Because a tube with a light and camera needs to pass through the colon, the area needs to be free of poop so the doctor can clearly see the colon lining.

1. Schedule the procedure with the gastroenterologist (a medical doctor specializing in diseases of the intestines, stomach etc). The scheduling office will give you detailed instructions about how to prepare for the colonoscopy.
2. Make sure you have a ride to and from the medical facility. You will not be able to drive yourself home.
3. Pick up the prescription for the laxative medication, which will help empty the poop from your intestine. This will just cause you to visit the toilet several times during the preparation.
4. You may be asked to change your diet 3-4 days before the colonoscopy to gradually decrease the fiber in your diet. Generally, you will be asked to eat a low fiber diet 2-3 days before the procedure. This means no nuts, seeds, or raw vegetables.
5. On the day before the procedure, you will be asked to have only clear liquids. It is ok to have popsicles, gelatin, apple juice, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and Gatorade as long as they do not use red, blue or purple dyes. No dairy products.
6. The afternoon or evening before the colonoscopy (depending on the bowel prep instructions and the time of your colonoscopy the next day), take the prescribed laxative medication.
7. Expect to poop a lot (like watery diarrhea) for several hours, so stay near the bathroom. By the end of the prep, your bowel movements should be watery and clear or light yellow.

1. After you check in, you will change into a hospital gown.
2. You will lie down on your left side with your knees bent. An IV in your hand or arm will give you medicine to help you relax (fall asleep).
3. The doctor will insert the scope through your rectum and colon.
4. The doctor will look at the images of your colon using a computer or video monitor as the scope moves through your colon. After checking the colon, the doctor will remove the scope.
5. You will be moved to a recovery room to wait until you wake up again. When you are alert, the IV will be removed. You will change back into your own clothes. The nurse may offer you some light food (like crackers and juice) before you go home.
6. You will need someone to drive you home from the exam. The sedative medication may take up to 24 hours to completely wear off. You should not drive or operate machinery for 24 hours after the procedure. You should also not make major life decisions during your 24 hour recovery period.

• Before you leave the recovery room, the doctor may tell you if the exam was normal or if tissue was removed.
• It may take 7-10 days for the written report to be ready.
• If your results were normal and you do not have other risk factors, follow-up colonoscopy is recommended in 10 years.
• If the doctor removed a polyp or took a biopsy sample, the tissue will be sent to a pathology lab. The results should be back within 7-10 days. If you have not heard from the doctor in that time, you need to follow-up to get your results.
• If cancer is found, you need to follow up with an oncologist (a cancer specialist) to discuss a treatment plan.
• If other medical conditions were found, the gastroenterologist should give recommendations for next steps (additional testing, follow-up, and/or treatment planning).

If your results were normal and you do not have other risk factors, follow-up colonoscopy is recommended in 10 years.

If the doctor removed a polyp or took a biopsy sample, the tissue will be sent to a pathology lab. The results should be back within 7-10 days. If you have not heard from the doctor in that time, you need to follow-up to get your results.

If cancer is found, you need to follow up with an oncologist (a cancer specialist) to discuss a treatment plan.

If other medical conditions were found, the gastroenterologist should give recommendations for next steps (additional testing, follow-up, and/or treatment planning).