Colonoscopy in Florida

Before your colonoscopy, your physician at Gastroenterology Associates of Florida will provide you with specific instructions for bowel preparation. Typically, patients are required to follow a clear liquid diet the day before the exam. Various laxative options are available to thoroughly clean out the colon, and it is crucial to adhere strictly to the instructions provided by your physician. You will also receive guidance regarding your medications. While most medications can be continued, special instructions will be given if you are on blood thinners (e.g., Coumadin, warfarin, Plavix, aspirin, anti-inflammatories) or if you have diabetes. Patients should not consume anything except medications after midnight before the procedure.

You will need to arrive at your local Gastroenterology Associates of Florida endoscopy center 1 to 1.5 hours before your scheduled exam. This time allows for paperwork and preparation. You will change into a medical gown, and an intravenous (IV) catheter will be inserted into your arm for sedation. You will be connected to monitors that track your heart rate, blood pressure, pulse, electrocardiogram, breathing, and oxygen levels during and after the exam.

In the exam room, you will lie on your left side on an exam table. Sedation will be administered through the IV, with small doses given to ensure your safety and provide the necessary level of sedation. Once you are adequately sedated, the physician will perform a rectal exam and then gently insert the colonoscope into the rectum. The scope will be carefully guided through the entire colon to where the small bowel and colon meet. A small amount of air will be introduced through the scope to expand the colon, allowing the physician to see more clearly. Any residual fluid in the colon can be washed and suctioned out through the scope.

During the procedure, which typically lasts between 15 and 30 minutes, the physician may perform biopsies, remove polyps, or control any bleeding. At the end of the exam, as much air and fluid as possible will be suctioned out of the colon through the scope. The findings and any necessary actions will determine the exact duration of the procedure.

After your colonoscopy, you will be taken to a recovery room to be monitored as the sedation wears off. The amount of sedation used and your personal response will determine how quickly you wake up, but most patients are alert enough to be discharged within 45 to 60 minutes.

You will not be allowed to drive for the rest of the day, so you will need to arrange for someone to take you home. You should also avoid working, signing important documents, or engaging in strenuous activities for the rest of the day. Most patients can eat and drink normally after being discharged from the endoscopy unit, but you will receive specific instructions about activity, diet, and medications before you leave.

After the exam, the physician or nurse will review the procedure findings with you. Due to the effects of the sedation, you might not remember the details, so it’s a good idea to bring someone with you to hear the results as well. You will also receive a typed report to take home. Biopsy results, if any were taken, are typically available within a week.

To an extent, the alternatives to the exam will depend on the reason for needing to undergo the colonoscopy in the first place. In most cases, a colonoscopy is the best method to evaluate and treat abnormalities in the colon. In fact, it’s the only prevention method available for colorectal cancer. However, there are different x-rays that can evaluate the colon, including a barium enema and virtual CT scan. These are, however, only diagnostic exams. Treatment of abnormalities will require a colonoscopy or surgery.

While a colonoscopy is generally a safe procedure, there are potential risks involved. Complications are rare, affecting less than 1% of patients, and are usually not life-threatening. However, some complications may require hospitalization and surgical intervention. Before the procedure, the nursing staff will review a consent form with you, and you can discuss any questions or concerns with your physician.

Possible risks include:

• Medication reactions: Sedation can cause various reactions, such as allergies, breathing difficulties, changes in heart rate and blood pressure, or irritation at the IV site.
• Bleeding: Bleeding can occur during biopsies or polyp removal. Although significant bleeding that requires a transfusion or hospitalization is uncommon, it can happen during the procedure or up to two weeks afterward if a polyp is removed.
• Perforation: There is a risk of a perforation or tear in the colon, which might be detected during the procedure or later. Most perforations will require surgery and hospitalization, though this complication is rare, even when polyps are removed.

It is crucial to contact your physician’s office immediately if you experience symptoms such as increasing abdominal pain, bleeding, or fever after the procedure.

As with any medical test, a colonoscopy is not perfect. There is a small chance that abnormalities, including polyps and cancers, might be missed during the exam. It is important to follow up with your physician at Gastroenterology Associates of Florida as instructed and report any new or persistent symptoms.