How long will the procedure take?
Depending on where you schedule (hospital vs. office) you may need to arrive for your procedure from 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours before your scheduled procedure time. Colonoscopies or EGDs are usually completed within 30 minutes. If you are having a colonoscopy and EGD it may take 45 minutes for both to be completed. After the procedure, you are required to stay until you recover from whichever type of anesthesia was administered. This varies by patient, but usually from 30 to 45 minutes.

Can I return to work the next day?
Yes, you should be able to return to work the next day.

Why do I need a driver?
You need a driver whenever you receive anesthesia. Driving a vehicle after a procedure would be considered "driving under the influence of a narcotic." This is similar to driving while intoxicated.

What is the difference between conscious sedation and MAC?
Conscious sedation is anesthesia administered by an RN under the supervision of your physician. Generally, a narcotic medication, such as Demerol or Fentanyl, is used in addition to a drug called Versed. MAC (monitored anesthesia care) is administered by an anesthesiologist using Propofol.

What should I do if I am not feeling well the day or two before my scheduled procedure?
Call our office and ask to speak to a triage nurse.

How do I get a prescription refill?
To refill a prescription, please call our office and choose Option #2. You will need to leave a message with your medication and pharmacy choice. If you have not been seen by your RGAL physician, you will nee to schedule an office visit first.

Is the procedure videotaped?
The images generated during your procedure are seen on a TV monitor. Your physician may store some images on a computer for later reference.

Why can't I eat seeds before the colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy?
Seeds may remain in the bowel following the preparation for colonoscopy. During the procedure they may be suctioned into the endoscope and damage the instrument. Avoiding seeds for one week prior to the procedure will help prevent this problem. If you accidently do eat seeds or nuts, don't worry, we can still do your procedure.

How long is the colon?
The colon is folded on itself like an accordion so it is difficult to state its length. In general, the colon is 4-5 feet long.

Is it normal to get chills/cold with the prep? Or nausea or vomiting? How do you handle the slow to eliminate prep?
If you use the large volume preparation such as GoLyte, NuLyte, CoLyte, the following should be considered:

• After mixing the solution at noon place in the refrigerator. When you start the prep in the evening take about two quarts out of the refrigerator and drink as scheduled. When the two quarts are gone refill the container and continue this pattern until all the prep is taken. This will keep the solution cold enough to help keep the taste from getting too salty but not so cold that it will chill your body. Occasionally, you may feel chilled.
• Ten percent of patients will have nausea and vomiting with the prep. If you are becoming nauseated, stop the liquid and wait 45-60 minutes. Restart the prep at one glass every 15-20 minutes until it is gone. If you continue to vomit, phone the doctor on call.
• The amount of time needed for the liquid to cause diarrhea varies, it can take up to four or more hours.

If you use the Fleets phospho-soda prep, the following should be considered:

• Drink the Fleets phospho-soda slowly. Chilling will help you to tolerate the solution.
• Be sure to take lots of fluids after the phospho-soda.
• Be sure to take the second half of your prep at least four hours before your procedure to allow time for the prep to be finished and to allow yourself travel time.

Is yellow fluid after a colon prep okay?
Some residual liquid in the colon is normal after preparation for colonoscopy. Since the body continues to produce bile even if you do not eat, this bile will color the liquid yellow. Small to moderate amounts of clear or cloudy yellow liquid eliminated from the rectum is normal the day of colonoscopy.

What is a polyp? What do polyps look like? Are all polyps cancerous?
Colon polyps are small growths that develop on the inside wall of the colon. These start very small (1-2 millimeters, the size of a small ant) and slowly grow larger. Many are shaped like a mushroom or a cauliflower. It takes years for the average polyp to reach 1 cm in size (the size of a pea). The larger the polyp, the higher the cancer risk.

Most polyps cause no symptoms and can be removed at the time of your colonoscopy. You will generally feel no pain or sensation when polyps are removed. There is a very small risk of bleeding in the colon at the polyp removal site, which could require hospitalization or blood transfusion. Rarely, polyp site bleeding will require surgery.

All polyps that are removed are sent to the pathology lab for evaluation. Two types of polyps are found. Hyperplastic polyps have no risk of recurrence or malignancy (formation of cancer). Adenomatous polyps are pre-cancerous and do tend to recur elsewhere in the colon and therefore require a follow-up exam. Your doctor cannot visually distinguish hyperplastic from adenomatous polyps, so microscopic examination is required. Your doctor will contact you by phone or letter about results if a polyp has been removed. If you have not heard from your doctor in 4 weeks, please call the office for results.

When can I eat? What can I eat?
Unless instructed otherwise, you should wait two hours after your procedure to have a meal to be assured that all gas has passed out of the GI tract and you are alert enough to eat.

Unless instructed otherwise, you will have no dietary limitations after your procedure. You should not drink alcohol for 24 hours because of the sedation medicine you were given for your procedure.