Colonoscopy ....how nasty is it?

[bluedolphin]

As medical proceedures go.....how 'nasty' is it for the patient? How long does it take to recover? a couple of hours...a day...a couple of days?

[mikewall01]

Not at all nasty. The procedure will take 30 - 60 mins. Very little pain ... you will be sedated. After you will have slight discomfort which will ease with the expelling of gas !! You will probably only be in hospital for 2 - 3 hours. You will need someone to drive you home after - because of the sedative. Lots of info available on the net. Have a look at http://www.colonoscopy.com Enjoy!!

[slimjim]

Thank you both. One of you for asking and one of you for answering. I have to go for one on 27th March. Never had anything done to me in a hospital since the day I was born. Scared stiff. Feel a bit better now!

[gazzawazza]

Yeah, mikewall's right, I have to take my dad for one of these every 4-6 months, and although he's quite groggy and a little uncomfortable when I pick him up he's as right as rain the next day.

I know it's not a nice thing to look forward to but I don't think it's anything to worry unduly about.