You will be taken on your bed to the recovery room where you will be monitored until most of the effects of the medication have worn off. You will rest for approximately 30 minutes or until you are fully awake and you will be at MacMurray Gastroenterology for at least one hour after the procedure if you have received intravenous sedation. You will be offered a drink and a light snack before you leave. You might experience some cramping or bloating because of the air introduced into the colon during the examination, but this should disappear quickly when you pass the gas. You should be able to eat after the examination, but your doctor might restrict your diet and activities, especially after polypectomy.
Most of the time your doctor generally can tell you the findings of your colonoscopy on the same day of the procedure; however, the results of some tests such as biopsies may take up to 5 days to come back.
If you have received a sedative you must not drive, operate machinery, drink alcohol, or make important decisions after the procedure even though you might not feel tired. You should arrange for someone to accompany you home because the sedatives might affect your judgment and reflexes for the rest of the day. You should stay off work and avoid any complicated activity until the next day. You are also advised against taking public transport until the next day.
