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What actually happens on the day

The prep is the hard part. Most people remember nothing of the procedure itself.

Will it hurt?

Almost certainly not. You will be sedated, and most people remember nothing at all. The hard part is the prep, not the procedure.

How long does it take?

The procedure runs 15 minutes to an hour. Plan for a few hours at the center, between checking in and waiting for the sedation to wear off.

What actually happens when I get there?

You check in, answer the same questions several times, change into a gown, and someone puts a cannula in your hand. Then you lie on your side and they give you the sedation. Most people notice nothing until recovery.

Will I be awake?

It depends on the center. Some use sedation that leaves you drowsy but rousable, others go deeper. Either way people rarely remember it. Ask yours what they use.

Why do I need someone to take me home?

Sedation stays in your system all day, even after you feel fine. Most centers will not start without a named person to leave with. It is the most common reason procedures get canceled on the day, so sort it early.

What will I feel like afterward?

Gassy and bloated, often dramatically. They inflate the colon with air or carbon dioxide to see, and it has to come back out. Walking shifts it faster than lying still. You will also be very hungry.

When will I know anything?

Often the same day for what they could see, though you may be told while still groggy. Biopsies and anything removed take longer, usually a couple of weeks.

What if they find something?

Finding a polyp is common, and usually good news. Removing it there and then is what stops it becoming a problem later. That is what the test is for.

Honestly, how bad is the prep?

Not pleasant, and nobody pretends otherwise. You will spend an evening near a bathroom. It is one evening. Chill the drink, use a straw, and keep something clear you actually like to follow each glass.

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