What
is a Colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a long tube with a fiber optic light source and the act
of examining your colon with this tube is called a colonoscopy. We
examine the entire colon which starts at the lower left side of your abdomen,
travels up and arches across the upper abdomen to the left side of your chest,
then downwards towards the pelvis and ends in the rectum or more accurately
at the anus. Since the colon is 6 to 7 feet long, the colonoscope is
approximately the same length.
Why do I need this test?
There are many reasons for doing a colonoscopy and you may have one or
more of the following:
- Bleeding which cannot be explained by examining
the lower end of the colon or rectum.
- Your lower G.I. or colon x-ray, also called
a barium enema, showed a growth or a possibility of a growth such as a polyp
or a lesion.
- You have had a history of colon polyps or colon
cancer.
- You have a first degree family history of colon
cancer or polyps such as your mother, father, brother or sister.
- You have had a stool test which showed evidence
of blood which could not be seen with the naked eye.
- You have unexplained anemia or unexplained
weight loss.
- You have recently noted a change in bowel habits.
- You have or have a history of colitis.
- You have abdominal pains which your own doctor
or we cannot explain by doing all other exams.
- Colon screening. PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR
INSURANCE COMPANY TO SEE IF THIS IS A COVERED BENEFIT UNDER YOUR POLICY.
Do I continue taking my medications which
preparing for this test?
- ***Aspirin and Blood thinners such as Plavix
and Coumadin must be stopped at least 3 days prior to the exam.***
- You are to take all your other medications
at the regular time unless you are instructed not to do so.
- If you are a diabetic, please do not
take your diabetic medication on the day of your procedure.
- You will be instructed if certain medications
should not be taken and you may be given certain medications to take at home,
such as antibiotics if you have an artificial heart valve or other heart
conditions.
- You must let the doctor know all the medications
you are taking and if you are allergic to certain medications.
- If you have any questions regarding which medications
you should stop taking, please contact the office.
Will I be asleep for this test?
Yes. Anestheia is administered by an Anesthesiologist.
You must not eat or drink anything after midnight prior to your procedure
in order for anesthesia to be given to you.
Do I need to bring someone with me on the
day of my procedure?
Yes. You MUST bring a member of your
family or a friend with you to drive you home. You will not be allowed
to drive all day because of the anesthesia. Your procedure will
not be performed unless you have a driver with you.
What are the complications of this test?
As with any procedure, there is some risk to colonoscopy.
This includes bleeding, perforation and other complications associated
with any procedure. However, these risks are minimal.
How soon will I get a report on my exam?
Most patients are too drowsy at the end of the exam
for Dr. Tootla to talk to them. So at the end of the procedure we will
come out to the waiting area and explain to your family member or friend
what we found and what was done. If you prefer that Dr. Tootla not talk
with your family or friend, please let him know in advance. When we
remove a growth or do a biopsy we send the specimen to the laboratory for
analysis. For the pathologist to prepare and analyze the tissue it
takes anywhere from 4 to 6 days. We prefer you to call the office within
24 hours to make a follow-up appointment so we have the opportunity to discuss
the findings with you and any type of follow-up that you may require in the
future.
If you have any questions or concerns about this procedure after you have
read this information please feel free to call us so that we can explain
anything you don't understand. We always feel that we should take care
of our patients in the same manner and respect that we would want to be taken
care of. You give us the privilege to take care of your body and we
will do the best we know how.
|
|
