Colonoscopy
What is an
Colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a safe and effective procedure used to examine the inside of your large intestine (colon and rectum). It involves passing a thin, flexible tube with a camera (called a colonoscope) through the rectum, allowing your doctor to check for inflammation, growths (polyps), or signs of bowel disease.
The procedure is usually performed under light sedation to ensure you are relaxed and comfortable. It is commonly used to investigate symptoms or as part of bowel cancer screening.
Who is Colonoscopy For?
Your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy if you are experiencing:
- Changes in bowel habits (e.g. ongoing diarrhoea, constipation, or alternating between both)
- Blood in your stool or rectal bleeding
- Persistent abdominal pain or bloating
- Unexplained weight loss or low iron (anaemia)
- A family history of bowel cancer or polyps
- A positive result from a bowel screening test (FIT)
Colonoscopy is also used to monitor existing bowel conditions such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
For bariatric patients, colonoscopy may be recommended as part of your pre-surgical evaluation, especially if you have concerning symptoms or are in a higher risk category for colorectal issues.
Benefits of Colonoscopy
- Early Detection: Colonoscopy can find precancerous polyps and early-stage cancers when they’re most treatable, potentially saving lives through early intervention.
- Prevention: Polyps found during the procedure can be removed immediately, actually preventing cancer before it develops.
- Comprehensive Examination: Provides a complete view of the entire colon and rectum, more thorough than other screening methods.
- Diagnostic Clarity: Helps identify the cause of troubling digestive symptoms, allowing for appropriate treatment planning.
- Therapeutic Capabilities: Beyond diagnosis, certain treatments can be performed during the same procedure, such as polyp removal or treating areas of bleeding.
- Peace of Mind: For many patients, a normal colonoscopy provides reassurance and eliminates the need for additional testing.
Important Considerations
Bowel Preparation Required:
You'll need to complete a thorough bowel cleansing the day before your procedure, typically involving a clear liquid diet and prescribed laxatives.
Sedation Effects
While the procedure itself has minimal recovery time, you will need someone to drive you home as the sedation effects can last several hours.
Recovery Time
Most people can return to normal activities the day after the procedure, with minimal discomfort.
Low Complication Rate
Serious complications are rare (less than 1 in 1,000), but can include reaction to sedation, bleeding, or perforation.
Follow-Up Schedule
Based on your results and risk factors, your doctor will recommend when your next colonoscopy should be scheduled.
Next step
If you’ve been advised to have a colonoscopy or are experiencing symptoms that need further investigation, we’re here to help.
At Surgiscope SA, our experienced team provides safe, high-quality colonoscopy services in a supportive, patient-focused environment. We’ll explain what to expect, answer all your questions, and guide you through the process with care and clarity.