So you’ve avoided solid foods and cleansed your bowels and you’re ready for your close-up. The worst of it is over, now you get drugged.
Every doctor prescribes a different prep, so pay attention to the directions you were given. Typically, it’s no food or drinks after midnight. When you wake up, you’ll probably be thirsty. Certain medications can be taken with the tiniest sip of water, always check with your doctor beforehand.
Make sure you have someone with you, you will be groggy after the procedure and need someone to drive you home. Most hospitals/offices will not let you Uber your way home. Tell your companion to bring a book or an iPad, not much for them to do but wait.
Let me take you through my typical colonoscopy day. I first arrive at registration at a very early hour (usually one hour prior to your scheduled time). I always ask for the first procedure. The registration team knows me and always greets me with a big smile and hug. They know I know the drill and where to go.
Once I am registered I proceed to the GI lab and check-in. A nurse calls me in, and since I know all the nurses I once again am greeted with a big smile and hug. As a woman of childbearing age I must always present a urine sample for a pregnancy test and then they will always ask me the date of my last period. I have period tracker app that helps me with this information, cause honestly who remembers this? FYI- Ladies if you don’t use a period tracker app you should, lots of free options available.
You will have to change into a hospital gown and take everything off, including underwear. The gowns aren’t great and if not tied properly can be revealing. Don’t worry, once you are on the stretcher the nurses will cover you up in blankets, especially if it’s cold. I always get heated blankets.
My GI Lab uses an Anesthesia service for the procedure. A CRNA will then evaluate me and ask me a bunch of questions again and try to start a line. I say try because I’m a terrible stick and have, as my surgeon put it, shitty veins. They usually start you on IV fluids, which is great because you might be a little dehydrated from that awful prep. Do you know that some crazy people actually use that prep to quickly lose a few pounds??? That’s insane and not to mention dangerous. Sorry for the rant/tangent.
Once an IV is started and you’ve signed all the consent forms you just wait your turn. It’s always a good sign when you see your doctor, means he/she is ready for you. I get wheeled into the procedure room, saying bye to all my nurses on the way, and if I’m with someone who doesn’t know me, they always mention, “Wow, you really do come here a lot.” Seriously, last year I was invited to their holiday pot-luck.
I know it’s go time once I’m in the procedure room. There’s always a nurse, doctor, and someone from the anesthesia team there. They do a “time-out” before any drug is administered. Everyone stops what they are doing and we all confirm the procedure, doctor, my name and date of birth. Don’t want to drug the wrong patient. You will be asked to turn on your left side and bend your knees. This is different if you have an ostomy and I’ll go into that in another post. Your vitals will be monitored during the procedure and you’ll be given oxygen via a nasal cannula.
It takes just a few seconds, but once they push the drugs your out. It’s a nice nap and soon you’ll be waking up in recovery. I’m usually a little grouchy when I wake up. It’s odd, waking up with all these wires and the urge to go the bathroom, I’m always annoyed. The nurses usually won’t let you get up right away because of the sedation, they will ask you to sit up first. Because of the air introduced into your colon during the procedure, you might be a little uncomfortable and feel the urge to pass gas. GI nurses are aware and have seen it all, so don’t be embarrassed.
After you’ve gotten up, gone to the bathroom and had some juice and a graham cracker the nurse will prepare you for discharge. If your vitals are normal and there are no complications they will let you go home. Recovery usually takes about an hour, don’t rush it. If you are anxious to go home, sit up so they can see that you are feeling fine and ready.
When you get home you’re going to be gassy. Sometimes laying on your side helps, but go nuts. Also, you get to eat whatever you want now and no more prep. Relax and sleep it off the rest of the day. Congratulations, you’ve survived a colonoscopy.
Medical Disclaimer: The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.