Almost all colonoscopies in the United States are performed with patients under a level of sedation or anesthesia that prevents them from feeling anything. Often, patients are asleep for the entire procedure.
The entire procedure usually takes 20-30 minutes. Thanks to the sedatives you were given, you'll likely sleep through the whole thing. Most patients don't remember anything from the actual procedure. If any abnormalities were noted during the colonoscopy, your doctor will discuss these with you after the procedure.
Sedation
A nurse will administer a sedative through an IV to numb your body, so you feel no pain. You will feel sleepy during this procedure, but you will not completely fall asleep. It is sedation, not anesthesia. Still, it means your colonoscopy is not painful.
AS The sedative agents that are currently available for colonoscopy include midazolam, propofol, diazepam, diphenhydramine, promethazine, meperidine, and fentanyl. Among these, midazolam and propofol are the most commonly used sedatives, whereas fentanyl is the most frequently administered analgesic.
Most often, either moderate sedation or deep sedation with the anesthetic propofol are used for colonoscopies. An anesthesiologist is sometimes present for moderate sedation — sometimes called conscious sedation by patients, though the term is technically incorrect.
You may feel bloated or pass gas for a few hours after the exam, as you clear the air from your colon. Walking may help relieve any discomfort. You may also notice a small amount of blood with your first bowel movement after the exam. Usually this isn't cause for alarm.
After a colonoscopy, you will need to recover from the effects of the sedation, which usually wear off within 30 minutes, and you may need to rest after your colonoscopy preparations. You may experience some discomfort and mild pain in the abdominal area as air is relieved from the procedure and leaves your colon.
The procedure usually takes about 20-45 minutes. The amount of time depends on how well your at-home preparation worked, the length of your colon, and how many polyps are found and removed. How comfortable you are also affects how long the procedure takes.
If you're having general anesthesia, an anesthesiologist will give you medications that make you lose consciousness. After the surgery is complete, he or she will reverse the medication so that you regain consciousness — but you won't be wide awake right away.
As a general rule, it is best to take the rest of the day off from work after a colonoscopy and give yourself 24 hours to feel 100% normal again.
Most patients report little or no discomfort during the procedure. You can request sedation during the procedure if you change your mind and feel you need it, although it has been my experience that this seldom occurs.
Insufflation of the bowel is necessary to improve visualization during colonoscopy, but it is one of the main causes of the abdominal pain experienced by the patient.
People at average risk should start regular screening at age 45. People who are in good health and expected to live at least more 10 years should continue regular screening through the age of 75. People ages 76 through 85 should decide with their health care provider whether to continue to get screened.
Propofol works quickly; most patients are unconscious within five minutes. "When the procedure is over and we stop the intravenous drip, it generally takes only 10 to 15 minutes before he or she is fairly wide awake again.”
Almost all colonoscopies in the United States are performed with patients under a level of sedation or anesthesia that prevents them from feeling anything. Often, patients are asleep for the entire procedure.
The colonoscopy procedure
It should take 30 to 45 minutes to have your colonoscopy. But you might be at the hospital for around 2 hours from getting there to going home.
How long does it take for anesthesia to kick in? General anesthesia usually puts you to sleep in less than 30 seconds.
General anesthesia looks more like a coma—a reversible coma.” You lose awareness and the ability to feel pain, form memories and move. Once you've become unconscious, the anesthesiologist uses monitors and medications to keep you that way. In rare cases, though, something can go wrong.
Patients frequently report having dreams during general anesthesia. The incidence of dreams during general anesthesia that have been reported by patients upon awakening has been reported to range from 10 to 36% [1] and to be higher in younger patients, female patients [2], and patients who received ketamine [3].
Do not shave your abdomen (stomach) or pubic hair. Shaving before your surgery gives you a higher chance of getting an infection. A person from the health-care team will use clippers to get you ready for surgery if hair needs to be removed.
You may keep most clothing on for upper endoscopy as well as comfortable shirt and socks for colonoscopy. Women may keep their bra on for the procedure. Please do not wear lotions, oils or perfumes/cologne to the center due to the monitoring devices.
You can start eating regular foods the next day. Keep eating light meals if you are not able to pass gas and still feel bloated. For the first 24 hours after your procedure: Do not drink alcohol.
Following your colonoscopy
The air pumped into your colon may cause continued bloating and cramps for an hour or so. You should, in fact, pass gas during and after the procedure to relieve the lingering cramps. You'll feel groggy after the procedure and should arrange to have a friend or family member take you home.
Bleeding is one of the most common complications of colonoscopy, accounting for 0.3-6.1% of cases[35,36].