What to Expect During a Colonoscopy

Is Colorectal Cancer Preventable with Screening?

For you and your loved ones

Having a colonoscopy may seem like a big deal -- and it is! But that's because it can catch cancer early, not because the procedure is difficult. Be sure to follow your doctor's orders for your prep and arrive on time. Do it for you and your loved ones.

The day of your colonoscopy

Here are some steps you will typically go through on the day of your colonoscopy.

Arrival for your appointment

You will have your procedure at an endoscopy center, hospital, or other facility. It's very important that someone comes with you who can drive you home afterwards.

Pre-procedure

Before the procedure you will:

Change into a hospital gown
Have an IV line inserted
Meet your anesthesia provider

Sedation

Your anesthesia provider will give you medicine through your IV to sedate you before the procedure begins.

What you need to know about sedation for colonoscopy

Colonoscopy begins

Once you are asleep, a thin, flexible tube equipped with a tiny video camera is inserted into your anus to look inside your colon and rectum. The exam takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

Waking up

After your colonoscopy, you will wake up in a recovery room. Other than being a little groggy, you should feel fine.

Head home

When you are ready to be discharged, you will dress and go home. If any biopsies were taken, your doctor will let you know the results in about a week.

Give yourself a hand!

You will need to rest when you get home, so while you are taking it easy:

Drink plenty of fluids
Begin eating slowly
Pat yourself on the back for getting your screening!

Before and after a colonoscopy

Brooks Bell, Colorectal Cancer Alliance Board Member, visits an endoscopy suite for a follow-up colonoscopy and records everything! She even shares a dream she had during the procedure.

Brook shares her experience