What to Expect During a Colonoscopy Procedure

At Phoenix Unified Surgeons, we understand that preparing for a colonoscopy may seem intimidating, but it’s a critical part of the procedure. It allows our team of expert surgeons to see the inside of your colon and diagnose any potential health concerns.

Before Your Procedure:

• Diet: Our medical professionals recommend starting a low-fiber diet a few days before the colonoscopy.
• Fasting: Fasting is often required before the procedure, usually around 12-18 hours. This means avoiding food and beverages, including water.
• Medications: Our team will provide you with specific instructions about the medication you should take or avoid before the procedure. Some medications, such as blood thinners, might increase the risk of bleeding.
• Bowel Preparation: Several hours before the colonoscopy, you will need to clear out your bowels using a laxative solution.
• Clothing: We recommend wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to our clinic.
• Arrival Time: Please arrive at our facility at the time instructed. Allow extra time to complete any paperwork or other necessary preparations.

On the Day of Your Procedure:

• Transportation: As the sedatives used during the procedure can make you drowsy, ensure you have someone to accompany you home afterward.
• Sedation: You will likely receive sedation during the colonoscopy to minimize discomfort. The sedation may make you drowsy or sleepy.
• Duration: The colonoscopy procedure typically takes about 30-60 minutes. The time it takes for bowel preparation and recovery may add to the overall duration.
• Recovery: After the procedure, you will be monitored in a recovery area. You may experience some mild bloating or discomfort, which can usually be relieved with over-the-counter pain medication.
• Follow-up: Your doctor will discuss the results with you after the procedure. You may receive instructions for dietary adjustments or other follow-up care.

Before a colonoscopy with us, you will be guided through the steps to clear your colon of all stools. This includes drinking a special solution over several hours or days prior to the procedure and possibly taking laxatives or enemas.

Your comfort is our priority. We ensure you are relaxed and experience minimal discomfort by administering a sedative or anesthesia. Once it takes effect, our surgeon will position you on your side and begin the procedure.

Utilizing advanced medical tools like a colonoscope, our surgeons can carefully examine the lining of your colon. This flexible tube is equipped with a light and a tiny video camera that transmits images to a monitor, allowing the surgeon to evaluate your colon’s internal health.

In case any abnormalities are detected, our skilled surgeons are capable of performing biopsies or removing growths such as polyps, which could potentially turn cancerous.

You can expect some minor discomforts such as cramping, bloating, or possibly some bleeding or discharge from your rectum due to the procedure, but rest assured that these symptoms should improve quickly. We provide thorough instructions for after-care, including diet, activity limitations, and medication.

While it’s normal to feel a bit nervous, we want to assure our patients that we take every measure to ensure their comfort as well as their safety during the procedure. The level of discomfort can vary; some individuals report minimal discomfort, while others may experience more. Regardless, our trained surgeons strive to make the procedure as comfortable as possible.

Before the colonoscopy, our skilled surgeons will provide you with a sedative to help you relax. Many patients even fall asleep during the procedure due to the sedative’s effects. This also helps to minimize any potential discomfort.

Our surgeons will take several steps to minimize discomfort during the procedure, including using a shorter colonoscope, inserting the colonoscope slowly and gently, applying pressure to the abdomen to relieve cramping, and administering additional sedation if necessary.

After the colonoscopy, you may feel groggy from the sedative or experience slight discomfort or bloating due to the air that was pumped into your colon. You might also experience slight bleeding, cramping, soreness, or irritation at the injection site of the sedative. Rest assured, these effects should fade within a few hours.

We want to assure you that while a colonoscopy may seem daunting, it is generally a well-tolerated procedure with manageable discomfort. Any discomfort or bloating felt should not be significantly painful due to the sedative provided and should diminish quickly.

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, but it is highly preventable with regular screenings. Our team is experienced in performing colonoscopies, a minimally invasive procedure that allows us to examine the interior of the entire colon as well as the rectum.

This procedure is invaluable for its ability to not only detect but also prevent colorectal cancer. During a colonoscopy, we can identify and remove any abnormal growths, such as polyps, before they develop into a serious health concern. This proactive approach can prevent up to 90% of colorectal cancer cases and deaths. At Phoenix Unified Surgeons, we also use colonoscopies to determine the stage of colorectal cancer, if present.

In addition to detecting and preventing colorectal cancer, colonoscopies can help identify other colon and rectal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, hemorrhoids, and diverticular disease.

We strongly recommend regular colonoscopies for individuals at increased risk of colorectal cancer, including those with a family history of the disease, those with certain medical conditions, and those over the age of 50.

At Phoenix Unified Surgeons, our experienced team is committed to supporting your health at every stage of life. By offering colonoscopies and other preventative screenings, we aim to reduce the incidence as well as the mortality of colorectal cancer and improve the overall health of our patients. We are conveniently located at 20333 N 19th Avenue, Ste 230 Phoenix, AZ 85027. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Phoenix AZ, Sun City AZ, Peoria AZ, Surprise AZ, Glendale AZ, Scottsdale AZ, and surrounding areas.