Q. How many days do I need to take off work? You will need to take off work the day of the procedure. Some patients who work evenings also take off work the day before the procedure to do the bowel prep.
Following a normal colonoscopy, most patients are ready to return to work and all other routine activities 24 hours after the procedure. However, our patients should not hesitate to take more time to rest if needed.
Make sure to schedule a day off work for the actual colonoscopy procedure. Unless you work night shifts, patients find they are fine to work the day before – even during the liquid diet phase – without any problems.
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.
You will probably feel a bit tired or groggy even then, so you cannot drive yourself home. Your doctor will not release you unless there is someone there to bring you home. The effects of the sedation could last up to a day, so you should not drive or operate any machinery until the following day.
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 feel tired or sleepy and have difficulty concentrating. Once you get home, relax for the rest of the day. The air we placed in your colon may cause you to feel mild pain in your abdomen (stomach area) for a few hours after the procedure. This is normal.
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. Usually this isn't cause for alarm.
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. You may be prescribed a different preparation for your next procedure. Please call the triage nurse to reschedule your procedure with a different preparation.
Q. How many days do I need to take off work? You will need to take off work the day of the procedure. Some patients who work evenings also take off work the day before the procedure to do the bowel prep.
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.
A few days before the colonoscopy procedure — Start eating a low-fiber diet: no whole grains, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or raw fruits or vegetables. The day before the colonoscopy procedure — Don't eat solid foods.
Yes, you may go to work the day after an outpatient colonoscopy. In my practice, I generally advise patients return to work, drive, or complete any important paperwork after recovering at home and experiencing a restful sleep.
Since you can't eat solid food on the day of your procedure, it may be a good idea to schedule your colonoscopy for the morning so you don't have to wait until the afternoon or evening to eat.
Most colonoscopies take only 15-30 minutes to complete. As a reminder, most patients recall feeling minimal to no pain or discomfort during the procedure. After the colonoscopy is done, you will be observed in a recovery area until the effects of the anesthesia wear off.
After a colonoscopy, you will need to recover from the effects of the sedation, which usually wear off within 30 minutes, and you may need to rest after your colonoscopy preparations. You may experience some discomfort and mild pain in the abdominal area as air is relieved from the procedure and leaves your colon.
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.
You may pass liquid and/or liquid stool after your colonoscopy but, within one to five days, your bowel movements should return to normal.
Pain after the procedure: Some people have stomach pain after a colonoscopy. A person may also experience mild irritation to their rectum, gas, or other digestive problems. These symptoms are usually mild and tend to go away in a few days.
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.
You may not eat anything the morning of your procedure, but you may continue to drink clear liquids up until 2 hours before your procedure. You may shower and brush your teeth. Will I be shaved before my colonoscopy? You will not be shaved.
The following are some foods and drinks to stay away from for a few days after a colonoscopy: Beer, wine, seltzers, and other alcoholic beverages. Whole grains (crackers, brown rice, whole grain bread) Steak and other tough meats that are hard to digest.
After a colonoscopy, choosing easy-to-digest foods can help your digestive tract recover and reduce symptoms such as gas and bloating. These include soft foods, cooked vegetables, and lean proteins. Foods to avoid after a colonoscopy include acidic fruits, fatty dairy, red meat, and raw fruit or vegetables.