Colonoscopy in Northwest Arkansas

After your exam, you will be taken to a recovery room to be monitored as the sedation wears off. The amount of sedation used and your individual response will determine how quickly you wake up, but most patients are ready for discharge within 45 – 60 minutes.

You will need someone to drive you home and should avoid work, signing important documents, or strenuous activities for the rest of the day as the sedative continues to wear off. Most patients can resume eating and drinking normally after leaving the endoscopy unit, but you will receive specific instructions regarding post-procedure activities, diet, and medications.

The doctor or nurse will discuss the findings with you after the procedure, but due to the effects of sedation, you may not remember everything. It is recommended that you bring someone with you who can also hear the results. You will go home with a printout of your results, and biopsy results are typically available within a week.

Are There Any Alternatives to a Colonoscopy?

Alternatives to a colonoscopy depend on the reason why you need to have your colon examined in the first place. In many cases, a colonoscopy is the best method for evaluating and treating abnormalities in the colon. It is the only prevention method available for colorectal cancer. However, other diagnostic exams, such as a barium enema and virtual CT colonoscopy, can also evaluate the colon. These alternatives are purely diagnostic, and any treatment would still require a traditional colonoscopy or surgery.

A colonoscopy is generally a very safe procedure, with complications occurring in less than 1% of patients. Most complications are not life-threatening, but if they do occur, they might necessitate hospitalization and surgery. Before the procedure, the nursing staff will review a consent form with you. If you have any questions or concerns, these can be addressed with your physician before the procedure begins.

Reactions to the sedation can include allergic reactions, breathing difficulties, effects on heart and blood pressure, and irritation at the IV site. Although these reactions are rare, they are possible and should be monitored closely.

Bleeding can happen, especially if biopsies are taken or polyps are removed. While significant bleeding is uncommon, it may require a blood transfusion or hospitalization if it occurs. Bleeding can occur during the exam or up to two weeks afterward if a polyp is removed.

There is also a risk of perforation or puncture of the colon. This complication may be identified during the procedure or may not become apparent until later in the day. In most instances, a perforation will require surgical intervention and hospitalization. Although this is a rare complication, it is important to be aware of it.

It is crucial to contact your doctor's office immediately if you experience symptoms such as worsening abdominal pain, bleeding, or fever after the procedure. These could be signs of a complication that needs immediate attention.

No medical test is perfect, and a colonoscopy is no exception. There is a small, accepted risk that some abnormalities, including polyps and cancers, may be missed during the exam. It is essential to continue with regular follow-ups with your doctor at GI Alliance of Arkansas and to inform them of any new or persistent symptoms.