My Experience

My B12 levels were low, so my doctor suggested a colonoscopy. The preparation was extensive. I was told to avoid certain foods for 2 to 3 days before (these included beans, tomato skins and red liquids). I was not allowed to eat after mid-afternoon of the day before the procedure. I started taking “cleansing” drugs the day before, first in the morning and then a big batch at about 2 p.m. to induce significant bowel movement around 5 p.m. After I took the medication I immediately headed home from work. In the early evening that night I started drinking a liquid to clear out my system. Over the next 4 to 6 hours, I drank liquids and kept going to the bathroom. I was told not to drink after midnight (and not drink until the procedure was finished).

That morning I walked into the doctor’s office, was greeted by a receptionist and was asked to wait. I waited approximately 10 minutes (during which time I was nervous that I hadn’t properly “cleared my system” and I would have to do this all over again). I was directed to a dressing room and changed into a hospital gown. After approximately 5 minutes, I was brought to the room for the procedure. My doctor was there along with a nurse and an anesthesiologist. I lay down on the table. My doctor asked me if I had prepared properly. The moment of truth! I said yes but was worried this wasn’t the case (I had still been going to the bathroom right before going to the doctor’s office and wondered if this was normal). The anesthesiologist inserted an IV drip and explained that they were putting me out. After two minutes I was out.

I woke up to find the same people wrapping up. The doctor told me everything went great, and that he had found and cut out a couple of polyps, but everything else was normal. I switched to a recovery room and was groggy for about 15 minutes. I then changed into my clothes and went into my doctor’s office. He walked me through the results for about 15 minutes, including showing me pictures of the polyps taken during the procedure. He said it was great that they found the polyps because, although they weren’t malignant, they were the type that could keep growing and become malignant. Lucky for me I got the procedure years before it was generally given in the course of a physical! My doctor advised me to have a colonoscopy every 3 years. My dad picked me up and we both took a cab to my apartment. I felt fine except for being light-headed, and, as planned, I took the rest of the day off. I was hungry and looked forward to a big meal.