Your colon needs to be thoroughly cleaned to ensure the procedure yields accurate and comprehensive results.

Detailed preparation instructions will be provided to you at the time you schedule your appointment.

Consult your preparation information sheet for guidance. Essential medications, such as those for heart conditions, may be taken on the morning of your procedure with a small amount of water.

Clear liquids include water, coffee or tea, strained fruit juices without pulp (such as apple juice or white grape juice), soft drinks, sports drinks (including ginger ale, cola, Sprite, 7-Up, and Gatorade), low-sodium and fat-free chicken or beef bouillon or broth, lemon or lime Jello without fruit or toppings, and hard candies. Avoid anything with red or purple coloring.

Red or purple coloring can leave residue in your bowel that may be mistaken for blood.

You should be able to resume full activities, including driving, the day following your procedure.

Colon cancer typically doesn't present symptoms until later stages of the disease. Since it's the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, screening plays a critical role in early detection.

The colonoscopy procedure itself typically lasts 30-45 minutes. However, including preparation time and recovery, you and your escort should plan to be at our facility for approximately 90-120 minutes.

The American Heart Association has established specific guidelines for determining antibiotic needs before endoscopic procedures, which may be different from requirements for dental work. If you have concerns, please discuss your need for pre-procedure antibiotics with our office. Antibiotics are typically given to patients with artificial heart valves.

Images from your procedure are displayed on a television monitor during the examination. However, we don't have the capability to record video of procedures.

You will NOT be given a general anesthetic as when a patient has major surgery. You will be given medication through an IV site that will cause relaxation. Many patients have no memory of their procedure when completed due to the medications’ effects.

Medicines are given in the vein through an IV port placed in your hand or arm. Medication dosage and type may vary depending on your individual needs. Generally, a narcotic medication such as Demerol or Fentanyl is used in addition to Versed or Diprivan, which has effects similar to Valium. For an upper endoscopy, a spray may be used to numb your throat and to help prevent gagging. It contains a medicine very similar to that used by your dentist for dental work.

Upper endoscopy is generally painless except for a feeling of mild transient fullness as the scope is passed through the mouth and throat. The majority of colonoscopy patients note no discomfort during the procedure. A few patients will remember some mild cramping and discomfort during the procedure. A small number of patients will experience significant discomfort during the exam. There is usually no pain after the procedure other than mild bloating in the first hour as gas passes out of the colon.

The medicines you are given have much the same effect on the brain function as alcohol. In addition, the effects of the medicine stay in the body for several hours and will affect judgment and reaction time long after the patient feels the medicine is gone. In general, all the effects of your sedation will be gone by the morning after your procedure. You will have no restrictions at that time.

Dr. Ahmed will talk to you after your procedure. He will tell you at that time what was seen. If biopsies are taken, or polyps removed, you will know the results in 2-3 weeks. You will be contacted by phone or letter about your results with instructions for follow-up, if necessary. You will receive results even if the pathology is normal. If you have not heard from us within four weeks, call the office to let us know. We will give you your results at that time.

One of the sedation medicines (Versed or Diprivan) you are given causes amnesia. After your procedure you may be alert, able to follow commands and ask questions, but you may not remember any events. Your doctor will talk with you after your exam. We encourage your escort to be with you at that time so they can hear the discussion in case you have any questions later. The day after your exam, a nurse will be calling to check how you are doing and can answer questions for you at that time or refer you to your physician if appropriate.

If you use the large volume preparation such as GoLyte, NuLyte, CoLyte, the following should be considered: • After mixing the solution at noon, place in the refrigerator. When you start the prep in the evening, take about 2 quarts out of the refrigerator and drink as scheduled. When the 2 quarts are gone, refill the container and continue this pattern until all the prep is taken. This will keep the solution cold enough to help keep the taste from getting too salty but not so cold that it will chill your body. Occasionally, you may feel chilled. • Ten percent of patients will have nausea and vomiting with the prep. If you are becoming nauseated, stop the liquid and take the anti nausea medicine that was given to you. Then wait 45-60 minutes before drinking the prep. Restart the prep at one glass every 15-20 minutes until it is gone. If you continue to vomit despite taking the anti nausea medication (Phenergan or Promethazine), phone the doctor’s exchange. • The amount of time needed for the liquid to cause diarrhea varies, it can take up to 4 or more hours.

Some residual liquid in the colon is normal after preparation for colonoscopy. Since the body continues to produce bile even if you do not eat, this bile will color the liquid yellow. Small to moderate amounts of clear or cloudy yellow liquid eliminated from the rectum is normal the day of colonoscopy.

Most people are able to pass all the air out of their GI tract within 1-2 hours after the procedure. Walking about or lying on the left side may help to eliminate the air.

Unless instructed otherwise, you should wait 2 hours after your procedure to have a meal to be assured that all gas has passed out of the GI tract and you are alert enough to eat. Unless instructed otherwise, you will have no dietary limitations after your procedure. You should drink no alcohol for 24 hours because of the sedation medicine you were given for your procedure.

Your throat will feel numb for 1-2 hours. You may have mild soreness for the rest of the day, especially if you underwent dilatation. Severe throat pain or pain that persists for more then 48 hours should be reported to your doctor.