My colon cancer screening is done; now what? 4 things to expect following colonoscopy

Congratulations on taking the first step to protecting your health and potentially easing any unexplainable and concerning symptoms with a colonoscopy screening! As your experts for “gastroenterological care near me in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Bronx New York,” our Board-certified specialists at Triborough GI know that the success of services and treatments is a shared responsibility. We partner with our patients from the greater NYC area to ensure they know what to expect at every step in the process. We are well on our way to supporting utmost comfort, health, and recovery following any procedure, regardless of how seemingly routine or minor. Below, we walk you through four things to expect following your colonoscopy. 

No. 1: Immediately after treatment

Once the endoscope is removed, you will be taken to a recovery room and wake up there. At this time, you will remain in recovery until the medicine or anesthetic wears off. One of the great things about a colonoscopy is we review the results with you right afterward. There is no wait unless a tissue biopsy or polyps are removed. If so, a follow up office appointment will be made following the procedure. As appropriate, we will provide you with any next steps based on the results. 

No. 2: After-care

It’s important to take it easy for the rest of the day. That means no driving, operating machinery, vigorous exercise, or making major decisions. Driving can be resumed the next day. It’s also critical to arrange reliable transportation to and from our office. The anesthetic can make you drowsy, which makes operating machinery and driving any vehicles unsafe. Your driver should also be within earshot of hearing any discharge instructions to ensure your health and safety in the hours following your screening. 

No. 3: “Normal” side effects

It’s not unusual for our patients to experience minor bloating, gas, and cramps afterward. These effects can be easily managed with OTC products and should also subside quickly, usually within the first 24 hours after your screening. If you are concerned about lingering bloating, gas, cramps, or the presence of blood, contact us right away. While rare, complications can arise with any procedure—even the most safe and commonplace. 

No. 4: Biopsy results 

You will be provided information on when we expect such an analysis to be completed. A follow up office appointment will be made prior to you leaving the facility once your procedure has been completed. To learn more about this journey to health through colonoscopy services, contact our team in Brooklyn, NY, today at (718) 795-2734. For your convenience, we also offer three other locations in the NYC area – in the Bronx at (718) 360-1632, Bushwick at (718) 865-3960, and Staten Island at (718) 710-4906.

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