Be
sure to let your
doctor know if
- You
are on anticoagulants (blood
thinners) or aspirin-containing
products.
- You
have been told to take antibiotics
prior to dental visits or diagnostic
tests.
- You
have bleeding tendencies.
- You
are diabetic.
Please
contact the doctor who ordered these
medications for you for any changes
that may be required before your
procedure.
Please
make arrangements for someone to
drive you home after the procedure.
A companion must accompany you because
you will be given medication to help
you relax. Even though you may not
feel tired, your judgment may be
impaired and your may be reflexes
slower. You will not be allowed to
drive or take a taxi alone after
the procedure.
Please
bring with you a list of your current
medications and dosages. Please bring
your colon x-rays with you if requested
to do so.
What
Should I Do to Prepare?
Click
here for instructions on how to prepare
yourself for the examination.
Call
our office at 610.375.6001 if you
have questions.
How
Is Colonoscopy Performed?
When
you arrive in the endoscopy suite, a
nurse will take your vital signs (blood
pressure, temperature and pulse) and
insert an intravenous catheter into a
vein in your hand. Your doctor may then
prescribe medicine to relax you and help
ease abdominal cramping. You will be
lying on your left side. The colonoscope
(a long flexible tube about the width
of a finger) is inserted into the rectum
and gradually advanced through the colon.
The doctor will insert air into the colon.
The air may cause pressure or a bloating
feeling but will enable the doctor to
see your colon more clearly. The colonoscope
is then slowly withdrawn while the lining
of the colon is carefully examined. Your
doctor will remove polyps or take biopsies
as necessary. Following your examination,
there may be some discomfort, which quickly
improves with the passing of gas. The
entire procedure usually takes less than
an hour. Your nurse will transport you
back to the recovery area and continue
monitoring you until you go home. You
will be observed in the endoscopy suite
for a period of time. You will be given
written instructions at the time of discharge.
What
Do I Do After the Procedure?
You
may resume your regular diet and activities
according to the instructions below:
Colonoscopy
alone
- Return
to your regular diet on the same
day.
- Avoid
strenuous exercise or driving for
24 hours after the procedure.
- Resume
taking aspirin-containing medication
or blood thinners on the same day.
Colonoscopy
with polypectomy or biopsy
- Return
to your regular diet on the same
day unless instructed otherwise
by your doctor.
- Avoid
strenuous exercise or driving for
24 hours after the procedure.
- Avoid
aspirin-containing medications
for an additional seven days.
- If
you normally take anti-coagulants
(blood thinners), your doctor will
give you instructions about when
to resume taking them.
Results
All polyps (pieces of tissue) removed
at the time of colonoscopy will
be examined under the microscope
by a pathologist. It will take
up to one week for us to get the
results. We will call you with
the results as soon as we get them.
If you need follow up, you will
receive a letter reminding you
to call and schedule an appointment.
Are
There Any Complications from Colonsocopy
and Polypectomy?
Colonoscopy
and polypectomy are associated with very
low risk when performed by doctors with
special training and experience in these
endoscopic procedures. One possible complication
is perforation, which is a tear through
the wall of the bowel that may allow
leakage of intestinal fluids. Another
complication is bleeding that may occur
from the site of biopsy or polyp removal.
It is usually minor and stops on its
own, or it can be controlled by cauterization
(application of electrical current) through
the colonoscope. Rarely, surgery is necessary.
A third complication is a localized irritation
of the vein in your hand that may occur
at the site of medication injection.
A tender lump could develop and may remain
for several weeks to several months.
Elevation of the arm and hand on several
pillows and local application of heat
speeds recovery.
Causes
for Concern
Call
your doctor if you have any of the following
problems:
- Rectal
bleeding greater than one cupful
or lasting longer than one to
two days
- Increasing
abdominal pain lasting longer
than 30 minutes
- Nausea
or vomiting
- Fever
or chills
If
your doctor is not available, a doctor
on call is available 24 hours a day,
every day of the year, including
holidays. After hours call any of
our offices and the answering service
will locate one of our doctors on
call. In an emergency try to contact
us for advice before you go to the
hospital. A telephone call may save
you a lot of time, money, and discomfort. |
