Colonoscopy at The Holly Hospital

What is a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a test that allows a consultant to look at the inner lining of your large intestine (rectum and colon) using a thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope.

What are the benefits of a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy can help to explore possible causes of:

Another reason for a colonoscopy may be that you or members of your family have a history of inflammatory bowel diseases (Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease), bowel cancer or polyps. Polyps are extra growth of tissues that are usually benign (not cancers), but if left can sometimes become cancerous. The endoscopist may be able to remove this during procedure.

Preparing for a colonoscopy

Before a colonoscopy, you’ll need to clean out (empty) your colon by following the bowel preparation protocol. This is to make sure your colon is empty so the endoscopist can have a clear view.

If you are taking any blood thinning medication or are diabetic, your consultant should have given you the advice regarding your medications. Otherwise, you may consult the endoscopy pre-assessment team by sending an email to hobkh.endoscopy@nuffieldhealth.com or calling 02089361221 or 02081436352.

7 days before your colonoscopy – Stop taking iron tablets (ferrous sulphate) and Vitamin E or multivitamins containing them.

3 days before your colonoscopy – Stop taking medicines that contain loperamide (which is used to treat diarrhoea), codeine (which is used to treat pain, cough and diarrhoea), and fibre-supplements such as Fybogel, Metamucil, Citrucel, or Perdiem.

2 days before your colonoscopy – Start with the required low-fibre diet and drink plenty of fluids (2 litres or about 8 to 10 glasses) in a day to help keep your colon clear. The day before your colonoscopy – Follow the time when you can last eat your low-fibre meal then shift to clear fluids. Take the laxatives as scheduled and follow it up with at least 2L clear fluids. You’ll probably get diarrhoea so it’s best to stay close to a toilet.

The day of your colonoscopy – Take the last dose of the laxatives, followed by clear fluids before coming to the hospital. Continue to drink plenty of water until 2 hours before procedure time. (Your pre-assessment nurse will inform you until what time you can drink.)

The British Society of Gastroenterology recommends to start the last dose of bowel preparation within 5 hours of colonoscopy as this improves bowel cleansing results.

What happens during a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy usually takes 30-45 minutes. You may be given a sedative and pain relief through a cannula that may be put in your arm or back of the hand. This will help you feel comfortable and reduce the chance of you experiencing severe pain or discomfort. You may also receive Buscopan to relax your muscles.

The endoscopist will ask you to lie on your left side to start with. You may be asked to lie in different positions to help the colonoscope move into the right position.

The healthcare team will monitor your oxygen levels and heart rate using a finger or ear clip and if needed, may give you oxygen through a small tube under your nostrils. You may feel some discomfort and your tummy may feel bloated because air is blown into your large bowel to help the endoscopist have a clear view.

Your consultant will also be able to perform biopsies and take photographs to help make the diagnosis. They may also be able to remove polyps. Most polyps are removed painlessly and completely during the test.

If at any time you want the procedure to stop, let the endoscopist or your team know. They will end the procedure as soon as it is safe to do so.

What happens after the procedure

You may feel a bit bloated for a few hours but this will pass. If you were not given a sedative, you should be able to go home after a member of the team has spoken to you and decided that you’re ready. You can resume with your activities as normal.

If you were given a sedative, you will normally recover in about an hour. You should have a responsible adult take you home by car or taxi and to stay with you at least 24 hours. You should also not drive, drink alcohol, sign any legal documents, operate machinery or do any potentially dangerous activities (this includes cooking) for at least 24 hours, and not until you have fully recovered feeling, movement and co-ordination.

The healthcare team will tell you what was found during the procedure and will discuss with you any treatment or follow-up you need. You will be given a copy of your endoscopy report and a discharge advice sheet. Results from the biopsies will not be available until a later date and will be discussed during your follow-up consultation. You should be able to go back to work the day after the colonoscopy unless you’ve been told otherwise.

Colonoscopy Information leaflets:

Colonoscopy

Gastroscopy with Colonoscopy

Banding of Haemorrhoids

Use of Entonox

Colonoscopy aftercare advice

Therapeutic procedures offered:

Polypectomy, Endoscopic Mucosal Resection, Banding of Haemorrhoids, Argon Plasma Coagulation, Dye Spray, Dilatation of the Colon, Insertion of Colonic Metal Stent and Botox Injection.

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If you would like more information on a colonoscopy please call us on 020 8505 3311 or fill in the form below.