Colonoscopy in Little Rock, AR

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

Since you won’t be allowed to drive for the rest of the day, make sure to arrange a ride home in advance. You will also be advised not to work, sign important papers, or engage in strenuous activities for the remainder of the day. Most patients can eat and drink normally after discharge, but specific instructions regarding activity, diet, and medications will be provided before you leave.

After the procedure, the physician or nurse will discuss the findings with you. However, due to the sedation, most patients won’t remember this discussion. It's a good idea to bring someone with you who can also hear the results. You will also receive a typed report to take home. If any biopsies were taken, you can expect to receive those results within about a week.

What are the other options for a colonoscopy?

The alternatives to a colonoscopy largely depend on the reason for needing the procedure in the first place. Generally, a colonoscopy is the most effective method for evaluating and treating abnormalities in the colon. It is the only prevention method available for colorectal cancer. However, there are other diagnostic x-rays that can evaluate the colon, such as a barium enema and a virtual CT scan. These alternatives are strictly diagnostic exams, and any treatment of abnormalities will still require a colonoscopy or surgery.

Generally speaking, a colonoscopy is a very safe exam. Complications occur in less than 1% of patients, and most are not life-threatening. However, if a complication does occur, it may require hospitalization and surgery. Before the exam, the nursing staff will review a consent form with the patient. If any questions or concerns arise, they can be discussed with your provider before beginning the procedure.

Medication reactions associated with sedation are possible. These reactions can include, but are not limited to, allergic reactions, difficulty breathing, effects on the heart and blood pressure, and irritation of the vein used to administer the medication.

Bleeding can happen with biopsies and the removal of polyps. Significant bleeding, which might require a blood transfusion or hospitalization, is very uncommon. It is important to note that bleeding can occur during the exam or up to two weeks after the exam if a polyp is removed.

Puncture or perforation of the colon can also occur. This may be identified during the exam, or it may not become noticeable until later in the day. In most cases, a perforation will require surgery and hospitalization. However, this complication is uncommon, even when polyps are removed.

It is very important to contact your provider's office immediately if symptoms develop after the procedure, such as worsening abdominal pain, bleeding, or fever.

Just like any other procedure, a colonoscopy has risks. There is a small, accepted risk that abnormalities, including polyps and cancers, could be missed during the examination. It is essential to continue to follow up with your GastroArkansas provider as advised and report any new or continued symptoms.