Side effects of sedation include drowsiness, nausea, impaired reflexes, and even amnesia. After the procedure, you will be monitored for a few hours to ensure that it is safe for you to leave the hospital. Even if you feel fine at this point, it still isn't safe to drive.
Please remember that your procedure requires sedation. You will be required to have a responsible person to drive you home after the procedure. Due to California law you are unable to take a cab or use a ride share service like Uber or Lyft.
Important. You cannot drive for 24 hours if you have sedation. Someone will need to pick you up from hospital in a car or taxi.
You can ask the operating room staff or management team—they might know of a health care transportation service you can contact. You might also be able to hire a home care professional to drive you home and make sure you get settled in safely.
You can hire someone to take you to your appointment, wait during your procedure and drive you home. Or you can hire a private nurse to accompany you and even stay with you in your home while you recover. These private services aren't typically covered by insurance or Medicare. You'll have to pay out of pocket.
You can use a taxi or rideshare service if your surgery center allows that or if possible, arrange in advance for a neighbor, friend, or family member to drive you home following surgery.
After the exam, it takes about an hour to begin to recover from the sedative. You'll need someone to take you home because it can take up to a day for the full effects of the sedative to wear off. Don't drive or make important decisions or go back to work for the rest of the day.
Explain your situation to the provider team and ask for accommodations such as an additional night at the hospital or discharge to an inpatient rehab facility. You're entitled to receive timely and safe care whether you're alone or come with an entourage of people.
Is a sedation-free colonoscopy painful or uncomfortable? Most patients report little or no discomfort during the procedure. You can request sedation during the procedure if you change your mind and feel you need it, although it has been my experience that this seldom occurs.
The colonoscopy procedure usually takes 30–60 minutes, but that does not include the time required for the patient's preparation and recovery at the hospital or outpatient center. The total time from the patient's arrival for the appointment to departure typically ranges from two to three hours.
Patients will not be allowed to drive, walk, use taxis, Uber, Lyft, or other public transportation after sedation or anesthesia. Please make the appropriate arrangements. You must plan to have someone drive you home. May I speak to my anesthesiologist or Sedation RN before the procedure?
One of the causes of pain during insertion of the colonoscope is stretching of the mesenterium by loop formation of the instrument and the degree of the pain is different from types of looping formation.
Depending on which method you choose, you may start having bowel movements within an hour of your first dose.2 It can then take about 14 hours to complete the process. You should expect to poop all night during colonoscopy prep, but your bowel movements will change as you progress through the steps.
You must arrange for someone to accompany you home the day of your procedure. You may use public transportation (taxi or bus), but only if you have an adult who can escort you home.
A bowel prep to clear the rectum and colon completely of stool is necessary to adequately visualize the inner lining of the colon. Your surgeon or his staff will give you instructions regarding the cleansing routine to be used. It is recommended that you shower the night before or morning of the procedure.
For your safety, do not drive, operate machinery, or power tools for at least 8 hours after getting sedation. Your doctor may tell you not to drive or operate machinery until the day after your test. Do not sign legal documents or make major decisions for at least 8 hours after getting sedation.
Does Your Bottom Hurt After a Colonoscopy? Following a colonoscopy, it is normal to experience some mild discomfort in the rectal area. This pain may be accompanied by a sensation of pressure, soreness, or a slight sensation of rectal fullness. Typically, the symptoms are mild and resolve quickly.
Many people undergo colonoscopies for routine screenings, and during the procedure, your gastroenterologist may detect internal hemorrhoids. However, depending on the removal technique, it may not be advisable to remove hemorrhoids during a colonoscopy.
And for liability reasons, the hospital can't release you into the care of a random Uber driver. You could only get away with taking Uber or public transit home if your friend or family member went with you.
If you have a serious medical problem, hospitals must treat you regardless of whether you have insurance. This includes situations that meet the definition of an emergency. Some situations may not be considered true emergencies, such as: Going to the ER for non-life-threatening care.
Can I be kept in the hospital against my will? No. The hospital can be liable for "false imprisonment" if hospital officials attempt to prevent you from leaving. You should discuss your condition and reasons for wanting to leave with your physician before leaving.
The most likely result of a colonoscopy that shows up with abnormal findings is the presence of polyps. These are growths that can be found in the colon. In most cases these polyps are benign, but they do have the possibility of becoming cancerous.
Getting your results
You may get some results on the same day that you have the colonoscopy, or after a few days. You can call the hospital or your GP if you're worried and they may be able to update you if your results are ready.