What to expect after your Colonoscopy

If your doctor has referred you to have a colonoscopy, you’ll probably have many questions about what to expect. Often patients will have an upper endoscopy (gastroscopy) at the same time to look at the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum (first part of the small intestine). Read more about bowel screening and diagnostics, including how to prepare for your procedures with Colorectal Surgeon Dr Terence Chua.

While good preparation is essential, what you do after your colonoscopy (or combined endoscopy) is equally important. This guide will help you prepare for what to expect after your colonoscopy.  

What is a colonoscopy? 

A colonoscopy is a procedure to look inside your large bowel – either because you have bowel problems, symptoms or had a positive result from a bowel cancer screening test. Colorectal Surgeon Dr Terence Chua uses a thin flexible tube with a tiny camera attached to see if there are any growths or disease. It’s performed in hospital as a day procedure.

Recovery after colonoscopy

1. Allow 1-2 hours recovery time in hospital after your colonoscopy

The procedure usually takes between 30-60 minutes. Afterwards, you’ll spend between 1-2 hours in the hospital to recover. After you have woken up from your sedation, Dr Terence Chua or a nurse will let you know how everything went. You’ll be provided photographs and a report to take home with any further instructions which you can read through later. A detailed typed report will be forwarded to your GP or the referring doctor.

2. Arrange for someone to take you home after your colonoscopy

It’s important to ask someone to take you home from the hospital (and stay with you overnight) as you will not be able to drive or travel alone on public transport. You may feel tired on following the procedure. This is normal after sedation so plan to take it easy for the rest of the day.

3. Resume your normal medications after colonoscopy

Some regular medications such as blood thinners need to be stopped prior to having a colonoscopy. Dr Terence Chua will give you instructions about when to resume any regular medication. 

4. Check for your colonoscopy results

If Dr Terence Chua has removed any polyps or tumours during the colonoscopy, these will be sent for testing. Results from any biopsies are usually available within a week. Dr Chua will let you know how to obtain these results.

5. Stay up to date with recommended bowel screening

It’s important to follow through with any follow up appointments – either with your GP or with Dr Terence Chua – including recommendations for future colonoscopies.

No Gap Colonoscopy & No Gap Gastroscopy Brisbane & Gold Coast

Dr Chua offers No Gap Colonoscopy and No Gap Endoscopy procedures at convenient locations across Brisbane and Gold Coast to make it easier for you to stay up to date with recommended screening.  If a patient does not have Private Health Insurance, the they will incur a fee for their procedure, or which a potion will be rebatable through Medicare.

Remember, to book your No Gap Colonoscopy Brisbane, No Gap Colonoscopy Gold Coast, No Gap Gastroscopy Brisbane or No Gap Gastroscopy Gold Coast with Dr Terence Chua, you will need a referral from your GP.