Colonoscopy in Hattiesburg, MS

After your colonoscopy at Hattiesburg GI Associates, you will be moved to the recovery area where you will be monitored as the sedation begins to wear off. The type and amount of sedation used, along with how you individually react to it, will determine the speed of your recovery. Generally, most patients are alert and ready for discharge within 45 – 60 minutes.

Due to the effects of sedation, you will not be permitted to drive for the remainder of the day, so you must arrange transportation home. Additionally, you are advised not to work, sign any important documents, or engage in strenuous activities for the rest of the day. While most patients can resume normal eating and drinking after they leave the Endoscopy unit, you will receive specific instructions about activities, diet, and medications before you are discharged.

Following the exam, either the doctor or a nurse will discuss the findings with you. It is common for patients to have little recollection of this conversation due to the sedation, so it is advisable to bring someone along who can also listen to the discussion. You will receive a written report to take home, and any biopsy results are typically provided within a week.

Are there alternatives to a colonoscopy?

The alternatives to a colonoscopy largely depend on the specific reasons for the procedure. While a colonoscopy is often the most effective method for both evaluating and treating abnormalities in the colon, and the only preventative measure for colorectal cancer, there are other diagnostic tools available. These include imaging tests such as a barium enema and virtual CT colonography. However, it's important to note that these methods are solely diagnostic. Actual treatment of any abnormalities typically requires either a colonoscopy or surgical intervention.

A colonoscopy is generally a very safe procedure with complications occurring in less than 1% of patients, and most of these complications are not life-threatening. However, should a complication arise, it may necessitate hospitalization and potentially surgery. Before the exam, a consent form will be thoroughly reviewed with you by the nursing staff, and any questions or concerns you have can be addressed with your physician before the procedure begins.

Possible medication reactions associated with sedation include allergic reactions, difficulty breathing, impacts on heart and blood pressure, and irritation at the vein where the medication is administered.

Bleeding may occur from biopsies or the removal of polyps. While significant bleeding that might require a blood transfusion or hospitalization is rare, it is possible and can happen during the exam or up to two weeks afterward if a polyp is removed.

There is also a risk of perforation, or puncture of the colon, which might be identified during the exam or may not become apparent until later. Often, a perforation will require surgical intervention and hospitalization.

It's crucial to contact your doctor immediately if you experience worsening abdominal pain, bleeding, or fever after the procedure. While colonoscopies are highly effective, they are not infallible. There is a small, accepted risk that abnormalities, including polyps and cancers, might be missed. It is important to maintain regular follow-ups with your doctor at Hattiesburg GI Associates and to report any new or ongoing symptoms.