Areas Examined & Treated |
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| Areas |
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The Procedure |
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Colonoscopy |
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| Diagnostic |
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| Therapeutic |
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Before Your Procedure |
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Schedule Your Procedure |
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| Appointment | Schedule your procedure appointment with GastroDoxs by phone @ 832-632-4070 or in the office |
| Location |
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| Insurance | Our team will obtain the required insurance prior authorization, if needed |
| Financial | GastroDoxs provider fees will be collected upon scheduling your procedure |
| Orders | Our team will send your procedure orders to the surgery center |
| Transportation |
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| Changes | To cancel or reschedule, call or text GastroDoxs @ 832-632-4070 |
Register with the Surgery Center |
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| General | A representative from the hospital or surgery center will call you to discuss the registration process, time & location of your procedure |
| Clinical | The pre-assessment testing team will discuss the following:
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| Financial |
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Clearance |
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| Cardiac Hematology Neurology Pulmonary |
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Medications |
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| 2 Weeks Before |
Hold - GLP1 Agonist Medication:
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| 1 Week Before |
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| 1 Day Before |
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| Procedure Day |
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| Other |
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Diet Instructions |
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| 2 Weeks Before | |
| Foods | No change |
| Liquids | Drink plenty of water |
| 1 Week Before | |
| Foods |
No Nuts or Seeds - berries, cashews, corn nuts, peanuts, pecans, popcorn, walnuts Low Fiber Diet
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| Liquids | Drink plenty of water |
| 1 Day Before | |
| Foods |
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| Liquids |
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| Procedure Day | |
| Procedure Day |
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Bowel Preparation Instructions |
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| Bowel Preparation Instructions |
All Preparations |
Procedure Day |
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| Diet | No - food or liquids on the procedure day |
| Arrival |
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| Pre-Procedure |
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| Sedation |
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| Position | You will be instructed to lie on the left side with your knees up to your chest |
| Visualization |
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| Post-Procedure |
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| Diagnostic |
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| Therapeutic |
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| Pathologist |
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| Follow Up |
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After Your Procedure |
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| Recovery |
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| Transportation |
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| Symptoms |
Normal post procedure symptoms:
Abnormal post procedure symptoms:
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| Appointment | Ensure that you have a followup 2-3 weeks after the procedure |
| Results |
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| Questions | Call or text GastroDoxs @ 832-632-4070 |
No, a colonoscopy is not painful. The procedure is typically done under light sedation or anesthesia, ensuring you are relaxed and comfortable throughout. Some patients may experience mild cramping or bloating afterward due to air introduced during the procedure, but this usually subsides quickly.
A colonoscopy is performed to examine the lining of the colon and rectum for abnormalities. It helps detect causes of digestive symptoms such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, or changes in bowel habits. It is also a key screening tool for colorectal cancer and for removing precancerous polyps.
Colonoscopy can detect several gastrointestinal diseases, including colorectal cancer, colon polyps, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, diverticulosis, intestinal bleeding, and infections. It also helps diagnose the cause of anemia, chronic diarrhea, or unexplained weight loss.
No, a colonoscopy is not a surgery. It is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure using a flexible tube called a colonoscope to view the inside of the colon. Doctors can remove polyps or take biopsies during the same procedure without making any surgical incisions.
When discussing a colonoscopy with your doctor, ask about: the preparation process, types of sedation used, potential risks and benefits, recovery time, possible findings, post-procedure care, alternative screening options, and how often you should repeat the procedure based on your personal risk factors.
The purpose of a colonoscopy is to identify and remove polyps, screen for colorectal cancer, investigate gastrointestinal symptoms like bleeding or chronic diarrhea, and assess inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It is the most common diagnostic and preventive procedure used in gastroenterology.
After a colonoscopy, it is common to experience mild bloating, gas, or cramping due to air introduced during the procedure, as well as slight drowsiness from sedation. Passing gas helps relieve discomfort, and most patients can resume normal activities by the next day.
Although rare, the most significant risks of a colonoscopy include colon perforation, bleeding, infection, or reactions to sedation. These complications occur in less than 1 in 1,000 cases, and your gastroenterologist will discuss these risks with you before the procedure.
