Discharge information following a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy

Patient Information Leaflet

Before leaving the unit

• You will be seen by the Endoscopist/Endoscopy nurse and receive your own copy of the report.
• If you require any medications or further tests after your colonoscopy this will be arranged for you.

Recovery

• If you were sedated, it is important that you rest for the remainder of the day and have someone to stay with you overnight.

• Sedation medication can affect your focus or sense of balance.

• During the first 24 hours following sedation you must not:

  • drink alcohol
  • drive any vehicles (including riding a motorcycle or bicycle)
  • take sleeping tablets
  • operate machinery or electrical items (including a cooker or kettle)
  • sign any legally binding or important documents
  • work at heights (including climbing ladders or onto chairs)

Eating and drinking

• You may eat and drink normally and resume your normal medication, unless instructed otherwise by the endoscopist performing your procedure.
• For some time after the test your tummy may feel bloated.
• The air that was introduced into your bowels during the procedure causes this discomfort and should settle on its own.
• You may find helpful massaging your tummy, having warm drinks or walking around to pass the wind.
• Please bear in mind that your bowel has been completely emptied and you should not expect to have normal bowel functions for two or three days.

When to seek advice

• You may find traces of blood coming from your back passage if biopsies were taken or polyps were removed.

• If you have continuous or worsening bleeding (fresh blood or dark stools), fever, severe pain in your neck, chest or abdomen or persisting vomiting, please go to the nearest emergency department and bring a copy of the endoscopy report with you.

• For any queries, you can contact endoscopy department on 020 7288 3813/3814 between Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Biopsy results

• All biopsy results will be reviewed in the virtual clinic and sent to your gp. Please contact your gp after 4–6 weeks to get a copy of the histology report.