You have had a general anaesthetic. It is essential that someone accompanies you home and stays with you for the next 24 hours.
You should not drive a car, operate machinery, drink alcohol, sign any legally binding documents or look after small children or other dependants for 24 hours.
Unless otherwise instructed by your doctor, you may resume your normal diet. You are
advised to have a plain diet for the next 24 hours, as you might experience diarrhoea until the bowel settles down from the procedure.
You may resume your normal prescription medicines unless otherwise advised on discharge.
There may be some slight soreness around the abdomen where the instrument has been but this will wear off in a day or so.
Some bloating may be experienced if air has remained in your bowel. This is not something to worry about; it will resolve itself naturally over the next few hours. However, if it gripes you, having a hot drink, or taking some peppermint water and walking around, might help to provide some relief.
Light bleeding from your bottom may be experienced if you have had biopsies taken or polyps removed. It may be spotting on the toilet paper or drops in the toilet which should settle in a day or two.
Women taking the oral contraceptive pill should be aware that taking bowel preparation might prevent the absorption of the pill. Additional contraceptive precautions should be taken until the next period begins.
Side effects to look out for
Side effects are extremely rare but we need to make you aware of symptoms to look out for.
Things to report to your doctor:
- Persistent moderate abdominal pain
- Moderate bleeding (an egg cupful)
- Slightly raised temperature
- Redness, tenderness and swelling around the IV cannula site (through which injections were given) that persists for more than 48 hours.
Attend Accident and Emergency department if you feel really unwell and have the following symptoms:
- Severe pain, nausea or vomiting
- Persistent/continuous bleeding (more than an egg cupful)
- Temperature greater than 102°F / 39 °C
- Weakness or dizziness
Please bring your Colonoscopy report with you to Accident and Emergency department
Further information and advice
If you have any urgent medical queries between the times of 1800-0800 relating to the symptoms that we advise you to look out for on your discharge leaflet – Please use our new dedicated Out of Hours Hot-Line. This will put you in contact with our partners at the L+D Gastro-Enterology Ward. They will not have access to your report so please have this handy when you make your call.
07815178199.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact your GP or NHS 111 for medical advice .
Bedford Hospital Endoscopy unit: (Monday to Sunday 8am to 6pm)
01234 355122 ext. 6445
For appointment queries: 01234 792269
FOLLOWING THIS PROCEDURE YOU MUST NOT DONATE BLOOD FOR 4-6 MONTHS
The reason for this is that your ability to donate blood in the future is dependent upon your diagnosis and the possibility that you might need to undergo further investigations or complete treatments. (British Society of Gastroenterology, 2019)
National guidance recommends that you do not fly for 2 weeks following this procedure