Take Light Walks You may feel gassy after a colonoscopy. Walking helps pass gas after the procedure. You can also move around lightly during the recovery period.
Once they are at home, patients should allow themselves at least 24 hours to rest and recover. It is common for our patients to experience some mild side effects following their colonoscopy. Some of these side effects are a reaction to the sedation, while others are directly related to the colonoscopy.
It is recommended that you abstain from heavy lifting or strenuous activity for at least 24 hours after a colonoscopy.
Do not use any heavy or light machinery, such as lawnmowers or workshop tools and machinery (saw, drills, etc), for the remainder of the day after the colonoscopy. Absolutely no straining. You may go up and down stairs and carry on normal activities otherwise.
For your safety, do not drive, operate machinery, or power tools for at least 8 hours after getting sedation. Your doctor may tell you not to drive or operate machinery until the day after your test. Do not sign legal documents or make major decisions for at least 8 hours after getting sedation.
You may pass liquid and/or liquid stool after your colonoscopy but, within one to five days, your bowel movements should return to normal. If you've had a biopsy, it's normal to experience anal bleeding or bloody stool after the procedure. Delayed bleeding may also occur for up to two weeks afterward.
This is a rough way to do it, but yes, you will have a very temporary weight loss of one to three pounds typically. But, just as with your bowel habits, these few pounds will return as well once you resume your normal diet.
Studies have indicated that colonoscopies done during the morning hours have actually contributed to more accurate findings due to a number of varying factors. Although it might not be a thrill to wake up earlier than usual, it could just help your overall health.
In the first few days after a colonoscopy, you may feel slight discomfort and tiredness, so allow yourself to take it easy. Avoid strenuous activities like lifting heavy objects or exercising until you get clearance from your doctor.
Medicines you were given can change the way you think and make it harder to remember for the rest of the day. As a result, it is NOT safe for you to drive a car or find your own way home. You will not be allowed to leave alone.
If you had sedation you should rest at home following your procedure and should be able to carry out your normal activities 24 hours after the test.
The medicine you received during the procedure may stay in your body for up to 24 hours. You may feel tired or sleepy and have difficulty concentrating. Once you get home, relax for the rest of the day.
Schlondorff told Reuters Health that ``patients should understand that if they have trouble concentrating or are excessively sleepy after colonoscopy, they should check with their doctor about possible (blood chemical) problems. ''
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.
What if I've taken all my preparation and am still passing solid stool on the day of my exam? In this case, your procedure will need to be rescheduled.
What to Do if You're Still Passing Stool. If come the morning of your colonoscopy you haven't finished your prep or your bowel movements aren't reduced to clear liquids, contact your healthcare provider's office. They may want to reschedule your procedure or recommend additional steps to finish clearing your colon.
Do not shave your abdomen (stomach) or pubic hair. Shaving before your surgery gives you a higher chance of getting an infection. A person from the health-care team will use clippers to get you ready for surgery if hair needs to be removed.
If the doctor removes abnormal tissue, they will prescribe any temporary dietary changes that may be necessary. Some mild discomfort, such as gas, bloating, or very mild cramping, is normal after a colonoscopy. These symptoms should go away within 24 hours. Passing gas or walking around may aid reduce discomfort.
It is normal to lose some weight after this surgery. Soon it will level off and slowly you will start to regain some of the weight you lost. Try to have a good calorie intake to keep up your energy. Your bowel actions may change after your surgery.
Following your procedure
It is not unusual to experience some diarrhoea for a couple of days post procedure until the bowel returns to its normal function. Abdominal pain due to air introduced into your colon during your procedure can be alleviated by hot drinks, moving around and taking peppermints.
A balanced, vitamin-rich and fibre-rich diet is particularly suitable for this. Wholemeal products, fruit and vegetables, nuts, legumes and dairy products provide valuable nutrients and minerals that serve as a nutritional basis for beneficial intestinal bacteria.
So, the more polyps you have, the higher your cancer risk. Someone with just one or two small polyps is generally at lower risk of having or developing colon cancer than someone with three to nine, or more.