Colonoscopy: What to Expect

Posted by Goddess on October 25, 2009

Guess what? You’re getting to that age, people. It’s colonoscopy time. The American Cancer Society recommends the test at age 50 and again at age 60. Colorectal cancer is the leading non-smoking related cancer killer of Americans. Lucky for our fine readers, I’ve been having colonoscopies since I was 15, due to Crohn’s.

My neighbor, now 51, is set to have her first colonoscopy. Not knowing what to expect, she asked me what to expect and I have agreed to go with her when she has the procedure done.

Here’s the short version. Do not eat up to 36 hours before. That is to say, the least amount of solid food you have ½ to 2 days before the procedure, the easier time you’ll have with the prep. Instead, put yourself on a liquid diet. 2 days before, it can even be full liquids like tomato and potato soups. The day before, stick to clear liquids, such as chicken/beef broth, jello and Popsicles.

In all honesty, the worst thing about a colonoscopy is the prep, the dreaded colon cleansing. I always hated that part. The doctor will either give you, or give you a prescription for Golytely. The flavored kinds are called Colytely. While the flavored is tastier than the non-flavored, that’s not saying a lot. And both kinds come in a gallon container that you just add water to. The patient must drink one 8 ounce glass every 15-20 minutes until the whole gallon has been taken.

Stay close to the bathroom because it will hit you and hit you hard. I suggest a container of tucks, as your booty might be a bit tender by the end of it. The goal is the stool should be liquid and almost clear in color. At the very least, a light, light, pale urine color. And believe me, if you’re not clear, the doctor will not do the test on you. In some cases an additional Fleet enema may be necessary the day of the procedure.

That’s the hard part, trust me. Be sure and take someone with you to drive you home. That way the doctor can give you medications to make the test easier. Most people don’t even remember the actual procedure because of the drugs.

The doctor inserts a long rubber-like tube into the rectum. He uses air to inflate the intestines, and water to wash the intestinal walls.

Be prepared when the test if over, to fart. A lot. And you may even have a little bit of fluid expelled with the flatulence.

And that’s it. It’s almost instant. The doctor is able to take biopsies during the procedure, along with photos of your large intestine. So once the lab processes the biopsies, the answer is pretty efficient and quick.

A colonoscopy sounds embarrassing, feels embarrassing, but until you’ve had as many as I’ve had (in 30 years, we’re probably talking at least 50,) suck it up and get over it. The procedure itself when done with medication, is really quite painless. As I said, the worst part of the whole thing is the prep.