Recovery from ColonoscopyAfter your colonoscopy, you’ll be moved to a recovery room.Because of the medicine, you may feel sleepy for the next 8-12 hours, and you may not rememberwhat happened.Even if you feel awake, your judgment and reflexes are slowed. You must have someone drive youhome after the procedure.Do not return to work, drive, operate machinery, drink alcohol, or sign legal documents until the nextday.Because air was pumped into your colon, you may feel bloated. You may also have mild cramps andgas. You will feel more comfortable if you expel this gas.These minor side effects should go away within 24 hours. But if they don’t or if they become moresevere, call your healthcare provider.Complications from a colonoscopy are rare. But it is important to recognize early signs of a problem.Contact your healthcare provider if you have severe stomach pain, fever and chills, rectal bleeding, orredness or pain at the IV site.Your healthcare provider will talk with you about the results after the procedure.If any tissue samples were taken, your provider will contact you to go over the results once they areavailable.Your provider will give you instructions on how to care for yourself when you get home, including whatmedicines to take.Don’t overdo it. Start out eating lightly, and gradually increase the amount of food you eat.Most people are fully recovered the next day.A colonoscopy is a great tool for finding problems in the lower digestive tract early, so you can gettreatment, if needed.
Understand what to expect following your upper GI endoscopy including any restrictions you may have, minor side effects, and possible but rare complications.
Learn general guidelines for properly preparing for your colonoscopy on the days leading up to the procedure. This will allow your doctor to see the lining of the colon clearly and will help make your colonoscopy go as smoothly as possible.
Understand what to expect on the day of your colonoscopy, how the procedure will be performed and possible risks that are involved. If any abnormalities are seen, learn what your doctor may do to treat them.
