It's normal to feel a bit low on energy after your colonoscopy. Plan to take it easy afterward and take the rest of the day off work. It can take about 24 hours for the sedative to wear off, so don't drive, operate machinery, make any important legal decisions or drink alcohol for the rest of the day.
Colonoscopy recovery is usually quick with most people resuming normal activity the next day. Even so, it is important not to rush back to work. It is best to take the remainder of the day to rest, recover from sedation, and replenish fluids and nutrition. The results of your exam should be available within a few days.
After a colonoscopy, you'll stay at the clinic until you wake up. Then you can go home. But you'll need to arrange for a ride. Your doctor will tell you when you can eat and do your other usual activities.
You will need to take one day off from work, as the anesthesia required for the procedure induces drowsiness. You will need to arrange for someone 18 years of age or older to accompany you to the procedure and pick you up after the procedure is complete. Driving is not permitted during your recovery period.
You should not do any of these things for the 24 hours after your colonoscopy: drive a car; travel alone (including Uber, taxi and public transport), use machinery or sign legal papers.
After a colonoscopy, eat foods that are soft and easy to digest to ease side effects such as bloating or gas. This may include eggs, white toast, and applesauce for breakfast. For lunch or dinner, choices could include lean chicken without skin, mashed potatoes, and soft-cooked carrots.
Following your colonoscopy
The air pumped into your colon may cause continued bloating and cramps for an hour or so. You should, in fact, pass gas during and after the procedure to relieve the lingering cramps. You'll feel groggy after the procedure and should arrange to have a friend or family member take you home.
You should be able to go back to your usual activities the day after the test.
You may experience loose stool or no stool for up to three days following the procedure.
You'll need to replace the electrolytes and liquids that you lost. Since the colon's lining may be irritated, your doctor may recommend that you drink generous amounts of fluids and eat soft, mild foods for the first day or two. Foods you can eat after the procedure include: Scrambled eggs.
Colonoscopies performed in the afternoon (PM) have been shown to have lower adenoma detection rates (ADR) compared to those in the morning (AM). Endoscopist fatigue has been suggested as a possible reason. Colonoscopies tend to be technically more challenging in female patients.
Eat a diet rich in prebiotics. These are foods like fruits, vegetables, oats and whole grains that are high in fiber and feed probiotic bacteria. Avoid processed foods, wheat products, sugar, hydrogenated fats, alcohol and high fructose corn syrup for several days after your colonoscopy.
Will I be up all night with colonoscopy prep? Probably not, if you start on time. While everyone's body is different, most people are able to complete their round of purging before going to sleep for the night.
Preparing for your colonoscopy:
Take the day off: It is recommended that you take the day off work on the day of your procedure. You should not make any important decisions for the rest of the day following the procedure. You should not drive for the rest of the day.
Almost all colonoscopies in the United States are performed with patients under a level of sedation or anesthesia that prevents them from feeling anything. Often, patients are asleep for the entire procedure.
DAY OF COLONOSCOPY
bowels at least 10-15 times. By the end of your prep, your stool should become a clear, yellow-tinged fluid.
Post-Colonoscopy Complications
Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms after your test: Severe pain or cramping in your belly. A hard belly. Trouble passing gas or pooping.
Don't drive or make important decisions or go back to work for the rest of the day. You may feel bloated or pass gas for a few hours after the exam, as you clear the air from your colon. Walking may help relieve any discomfort. You may also notice a small amount of blood with your first bowel movement after the exam.
It is recommended that you do not go back to work, do any strenuous exercise, drive, or sign any legal documents for 24 hours after the procedure. If you are taking any anti-coagulant medication (i.e., Coumadin, Heparin), please be sure to notify your doctor.
After an upper GI endoscopy, you can expect the following: to stay at the hospital or outpatient center for 1 to 2 hours after the procedure so the sedative can wear off. to rest at home for the rest of the day.
It can take up to 24 hours for the effects of the sedative to wear off completely, so plan ahead to have someone drive you home from the procedure. It's also a good idea to make sure that you have the rest of the day off work so that you can rest.
Most often, either moderate sedation or deep sedation with the anesthetic propofol are used for colonoscopies. An anesthesiologist is sometimes present for moderate sedation — sometimes called conscious sedation by patients, though the term is technically incorrect.
This means avoiding spicy, fried, or fatty foods that can irritate the digestive tract and cause discomfort. You should also avoid alcohol and caffeine, as these can also contribute to gastrointestinal irritation.