Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is a highly effective diagnostic procedure used most commonly for routine colorectal cancer screening, as well as for identifying and treating active bleeding problems in the lower digestive tract.
Your Complete Guide to a Colonoscopy
At our hospital, your digestive health and peace of mind are our top priorities. A colonoscopy is one of the most powerful, proactive tools we have to protect your long-term well-being.
The American Cancer Society recommends that all men and women at average risk begin regular screenings at age 45 to prevent colorectal cancer. Because this disease is highly preventable, scheduling your screening is the single most effective step you can take to protect your future.
What Is a Colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a safe, routine outpatient procedure used primarily to screen for colon cancer and to identify or treat bleeding issues. Our gastroenterologists also use it to evaluate persistent symptoms like chronic diarrhea, unexplained abdominal pain, or sudden changes in your bowel habits.
The Technology: The procedure uses a colonoscope—a long, thin, flexible tube equipped with a tiny video camera. This sends real-time, high-definition images of your colon lining to a monitor for your doctor to carefully examine.
The Scope of Care: Depending on your specific health history, your physician will customize the exam. They can examine the entire large intestine (and even the very end of the small intestine), or focus strictly on the lower portion of the colon (a limited view known as a flexible sigmoidoscopy).
Why Routine Screenings Save Lives
Most colon cancers begin as small, harmless growths called polyps on the inside lining of the colon. These polyps usually cause no symptoms at all, and it is impossible to know if a polyp is precancerous just by looking at it.
Because it takes years for a benign polyp to transition into cancer, finding and removing them early is the ultimate strategy for prevention. During your colonoscopy, if your doctor finds a polyp, they will perform a polypectomy to safely remove it right on the spot.
How to Prepare for Your Procedure
The Golden Rule of Colonoscopy: The success of your procedure depends entirely on how clean your colon is. If residual stool remains, it can block our view of flatter, subtle polyps that commonly develop on the right side of the colon.
Our office will provide you with detailed, personalized instructions for your prep. While the clean-out process can be tedious and unpleasant, it is highly tolerable, and a clear view ensures we don't miss a thing.
Follow Your Instructions Carefully
Dietary Changes: You will transition to a clear liquid diet for part or all of the day before your procedure.
The Bowel Prep: Typically, you will drink a liquid preparation designed to stimulate bowel movements starting the evening before. We usually split this prep into evening and morning doses to make it easier to take and to ensure the most thorough cleanse.
Medication Check: Pay close attention to your instructions regarding what medications to take, stop, or modify. This is incredibly important if you take blood thinners, blood pressure medications, or diabetes drugs.
Arrival and Consent: Your procedure will take place at our advanced outpatient endoscopy center or hospital day-surgery unit. When you arrive, our team will help you complete your registration and consent forms, and answer any last-minute questions you might have.
What to Expect on Procedure Day
Our entire medical team is dedicated to your safety, comfort, and privacy.
Getting Settled: You will change into a patient gown. (Please leave jewelry at home and avoid wearing makeup to your appointment).
Comfort & Sedation: An anesthesiologist or specialized nurse will place an IV to administer a relaxing sedative. You will be securely asleep and completely comfortable throughout the entire procedure.
The Exam: Once you are fully asleep, your doctor will perform a brief digital rectal exam before gently inserting the lubricated colonoscope. On average, the exam takes just 30 minutes, though timing varies depending on what your doctor finds.
Tailored Actions: While you are resting, your doctor may take photos to document their findings, sample tissues for a routine lab biopsy, remove polyps, open up narrowed areas of the intestine, or stop any active bleeding.
Recovery and Waking Up
Most patients wake up in our recovery area feeling completely rested, with zero discomfort and absolutely no memory of the procedure.
Our nursing staff will monitor you closely until the sedative wears off. Your gastroenterologist will drop by to share your immediate results, walk you through the report (complete with photos), and give you clear guidelines on when you can eat and drink. A copy of this report will also be sent directly to your primary care doctor. Any tissue samples or polyps removed will be sent to our pathology lab for analysis, and we will follow up with those results as soon as they are ready.
Going Home & Aftercare
You Need a Companion: Because of the deep sedation, you must arrange for a trusted friend or family member to drive you home. For your safety, traveling by taxi, Uber, Lyft, or public transit alone is strictly prohibited after sedation.
Resuming Routine: You can typically jump right back into your normal diet and regular medications as soon as you leave. Note: If a polyp was removed, your doctor may ask you to delay restarting blood thinners for a brief period to prevent bleeding.
Activities: Keep things light on the day of your procedure. You are free to drive and return to normal activities the very next day.
What's Normal: It is completely normal to experience mild gas, bloating, or light cramping after the procedure. This is just the air used to inflate the colon during the exam escaping, and it will resolve on its own within 24 hours.
Understanding Risks & Alternatives
Are There Risks?
While a colonoscopy is considered exceptionally safe, all medical procedures carry some degree of risk. Though rare, potential complications include a small tear or puncture in the colon wall (which could require surgical repair), missing a subtle lesion, or bleeding following a biopsy or polyp removal. If post-procedure bleeding becomes significant, it may require a blood transfusion or a quick follow-up scope to stop it. We encourage you to discuss any concerns openly with your care team.
What Are the Alternatives?
A colonoscopy is the undisputed "gold standard" because it allows us to both find and remove polyps in a single step. However, because colon cancer is highly preventable, doing any screening is always better than doing nothing. If you prefer a less invasive starting point, options include:
Stool Tests (FIT & Cologuard®): A yearly FIT test checks for microscopic traces of blood in the stool. Cologuard® checks for blood plus altered cancer DNA.
Virtual Colonoscopy (CT Colonography): An advanced CT scan that creates 3D images of your colon.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: A shorter version of a colonoscopy that checks only the lower third of the colon—best for patients at lower risk.
Please Note: If an alternative test (like Cologuard or a CT scan) comes back with an abnormal or positive result, a follow-up colonoscopy is required to safely investigate and remove any polyps. Furthermore, alternative tests can occasionally yield false negatives (missing a growth) or false positives (indicating a problem where none exists).
Insurance & Coverage Info
We want to make accessing care as seamless as possible.
Screening Colonoscopies: Medicare and almost all private health insurance plans (including HMOs) cover routine screening colonoscopies 100% with no co-pay or deductible for patients eligible by age.
Diagnostic & Follow-up Exam: If you are having a colonoscopy to investigate active symptoms, or as a follow-up after a past polyp removal, standard co-pays or deductibles may apply.
Alternative Tests: Traditional fecal blood tests are usually covered; Cologuard is covered by many plans; CT colonography is rarely covered; and capsule endoscopies for the colon are generally not covered at this time.
Our billing team is happy to help you navigate your specific insurance benefits before your appointment.
Take the Next Step for Your Health
Don't wait for symptoms to appear. Contact our hospital imaging or gastroenterology department today to schedule your colonoscopy at the location nearest you.