How does this work for colonoscopies?

[Anonymous]

It is a very light level of sedation anesthesia. You wake up almost immediately. I was still in the procedure room when I woke up.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I’ve had three so far at different facilities (family history of colon cancer) and each time I’ve had a first visit with the gastrointestinal Dr (one time it was a NP) to discuss the procedure and the prep. The procedure occurred on a different date and the doctor discusses the results with you once it’s finished (after you wake up).

TY, then because my plan doesn't require a PCP to see a specialist, it seems like I am better off doing a consult there first with the gastro. Otherwise it's three visits.

PP here. My plan is the same so I just go straight to the gastro. No need to see a PCP first.

One more question. Is there an advantage to doing it in a hospital setting v. free standing? How "worried" would you be about it?

PP again. I’ve done both and didn’t find one better than the other. If you are nervous or don’t do well with anesthesia (or don’t know how you’ll do) then a hospital setting might be a more reassuring choice for your first one.

Idk what to do. See above. I don't love the hospital it would have to be and I am also worried that then an intern would do it rather than a gastro who has done it forever. Also worried about being put under so I have no clue who actually does the procedure.

Maybe make an appointment for the consult at the facility and then see how you feel. Get all your questions answered. You don’t have to schedule the colonoscopy if you decide you’d rather be at a hospital after all. Or vice versa—do the consult with a Dr at the hospital and get all those questions answered. Then you can decide whether to do it there or not. You may not be so torn once you speak with a doctor and get more info about the procedure.

I did ask my Dr once about doing it without anesthesia. It was my second colonoscopy but my first after having kids. My oldest was 2 and the thought of going under kind of scared me now that I’m a mom. He said it was possible but it’s very infrequent and would be very uncomfortable. I don’t remember all of the details but after that discussion and additional research on my own, I decided to go with the anesthesia.

I don't really think talking will help me tbh as I am absolutely terrified. I've had surgery twice (c-section with spinal and breast lump removal with local) but never general and I do not want what people call "a great nap" because it sounds like I might not wake up.

A C-section is way more risky than a colonoscopy. The sedation for a colonoscopy is usually IV and not as heavy as sedation for major surgery.
You also sound like you have anxiety and should talk to a doctor before the procedure.

I needed the c-section so that was different. This feels more optional. And yes, I am really terrified of procedures and new doctors but I don’t think seeing yet another doctor would help!

DP. Given the skyrocketing colorectal cancer rates, a colonoscopy isn’t really optional if you are over 45. Cologuard isn’t a good alternative for many reasons.

[Anonymous]

I've had a lot of surgeries and the colonoscopy is not surgery like. But everyone is probably nervous the first time. If you're worried talk to your doctor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've had a lot of surgeries and the colonoscopy is not surgery like. But everyone is probably nervous the first time. If you're worried talk to your doctor.

I don’t have a gastro bc I have never had stomach issues. I fear anesthesia and not being awake, not the idea of surgery so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had a lot of surgeries and the colonoscopy is not surgery like. But everyone is probably nervous the first time. If you're worried talk to your doctor.

I don’t have a gastro bc I have never had stomach issues. I fear anesthesia and not being awake, not the idea of surgery so much.

My PCP was able to hook me up with a gastroenterologist. I also was very nervous about all of it. The prep is by far the worst part. I was nervous, but glad I did it. They found multiple polyps which were at risk for turning into cancer.

I had at least two phone calls with a nurse before my procedure. You can ask them any question you want or talk about your concerns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had a lot of surgeries and the colonoscopy is not surgery like. But everyone is probably nervous the first time. If you're worried talk to your doctor.

I don’t have a gastro bc I have never had stomach issues. I fear anesthesia and not being awake, not the idea of surgery so much.

My PCP was able to hook me up with a gastroenterologist. I also was very nervous about all of it. The prep is by far the worst part. I was nervous, but glad I did it. They found multiple polyps which were at risk for turning into cancer.

I had at least two phone calls with a nurse before my procedure. You can ask them any question you want or talk about your concerns.

Honestly nobody will make me feel good about anesthesia. My concern is dying from it. Someone upthread said it happened to someone they know.

[Anonymous]

Please don’t be afraid of a colonoscopy. I am a very anxious person but a colonoscopy isn’t high on my list of dreaded things and having one is so important for preventing colon cancer or catching it early. I have had 2. Both were done at an outpatient endoscopy center where the staff are incredibly experienced. It was not painful. They use a light IV sedation which you wake from immediately. The staff were so kind and attentive.

You can go straight to the GI. If you are at a loss for where to go, I recommend Capital Digestive Care. I use them as does every member of my extended family and many friends. They will do a brief consult first. They have many locations (we go to Shady Grove Rd) and their own endoscopy center.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you just get a PCP prescription and then gets scheduled straight for one at gastro, or do you first go to gastro and then get the colonoscopy at second visit?

For my first visit, I made an appt/had to have a consult, then the colonoscopy was scheduled. For the 2nd one, 5 years later, I could just schedule it, I didn't need the consult first

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you just get a PCP prescription and then gets scheduled straight for one at gastro, or do you first go to gastro and then get the colonoscopy at second visit?

Depends on your insurance. I don’t need a PCP referral. I directly called the GI practice. The medical assistant asked me a number of questions and then scheduled a date for the procedure. She also offered the option of meeting with the GI specialist first, but I didn’t feel the need to. Super easy. I went to Capital Digestive Care.

[Anonymous]

It is intravenous sedation not what you have for major surgery or see on TV. You breathe on your own.
It is fairly light and they adjust it. First time I was light so I could watch the scope on the TV screen, lol. When it got uncomfortable I said Ok knock me out and they did.
Nowadays they use propofol.
I have had about a dozen colonoscopies and endoscopies.

[Anonymous]

My experience:
First colonoscopy at 50. I went to Cap Dig Care randomly. Made appt to meet with a nurse to explain what it was like. She gave me an Rx for the prep meds. Made an appointment for colonoscopy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had a lot of surgeries and the colonoscopy is not surgery like. But everyone is probably nervous the first time. If you're worried talk to your doctor.

I don’t have a gastro bc I have never had stomach issues. I fear anesthesia and not being awake, not the idea of surgery so much.

My PCP was able to hook me up with a gastroenterologist. I also was very nervous about all of it. The prep is by far the worst part. I was nervous, but glad I did it. They found multiple polyps which were at risk for turning into cancer.

I had at least two phone calls with a nurse before my procedure. You can ask them any question you want or talk about your concerns.

Honestly nobody will make me feel good about anesthesia. My concern is dying from it. Someone upthread said it happened to someone they know.

Colon cancer is the number 1 cause of cancer death in people under 50. Death from sedation anesthesia is exceedingly rare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've had a lot of surgeries and the colonoscopy is not surgery like. But everyone is probably nervous the first time. If you're worried talk to your doctor.

I don’t have a gastro bc I have never had stomach issues. I fear anesthesia and not being awake, not the idea of surgery so much.

Your chances of not waking up are slim. No one can predict when we go. You're more likely to die on I-66 or 495 while in the car being driven to the appointment. And having colon cancer will require surgery and other nasty side effects. YOU CAN DO THIS.

And I've had plastic surgery three times and never worried about not waking up.

[Anonymous]

I have had 2 colonoscopies (different physicians) and neither had a first appointment consultation. I did meet them before anesthesia- they cam into my area, introduced themselves and basically explained what they would be doing.

[Anonymous]

Colonoscopies are an assembly line. The doctors and nurses are doing dozens of these every day so it's a relatively controlled, safe procedure, that you will sleep through and remember nothing.