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A colonoscopy is typically a procedure performed by a gastroenterologist, either to screen for colon cancer or to look for any cause of GI symptoms that you may have. Colonoscopy procedure involves the gastroenterologist inserting a thin flexible tube with a camera at the end into the colon and looking for any abnormalities. The procedure is typically about 20 to 30 minutes. It can be longer if more polyps or more abnormalities are found. And typically patients are sedated or put to sleep, so to speak for the procedure.
The anesthesia providers, or sometimes the gastroenterologist themselves, will give them medicines ahead of time so that patients are very comfortable and sleeping during the duration of the procedure. However, the medicines wear off very quickly, and in the recovery area, you will be awake fairly quickly talking to your doctor about the results of the procedure. Typically you’re given a copy of the report itself, as well as pictures that they’ve taken during the procedure. And a followup is scheduled afterwards in order to discuss further treatments or further recommendations that the doctor has. So as you can tell, it’s a fairly routine procedure and can be very useful in detecting GI conditions.
