Colonoscopy

For the procedure to be successful, the bowel must be completely clean. A low-residue, liquid-heavy diet is started 2-3 days before the procedure. On the evening and morning prior to the procedure, special bowel-emptying medications (laxatives) prescribed by the doctor are consumed with plenty of water to ensure cleansing through diarrhea.

No. Today, colonoscopy procedures are performed with a sleep-inducing method called "deep sedation" administered by an anesthesiologist. The patient sleeps throughout the procedure, feels no pain or cramps, and does not remember the procedure at all.

Healthy individuals with no family history of colon cancer or specific complaints are recommended to undergo a colonoscopy for routine colon cancer screening starting at age 45-50, and to repeat it every 5-10 years if the results are normal.

The procedure itself generally takes between 15 and 30 minutes. However, this time may be extended if polyps are found and removed (polypectomy) or if a biopsy is taken. Including the time it takes for the patient to be put to sleep and wake up, the total time spent in the clinic is approximately 1 hour.

A certain amount of air (or carbon dioxide gas) is introduced during the procedure to clearly see the inside of the bowel and open up the folds. It is completely normal to feel mild gas pain or bloating as this air is expelled after the procedure, and it passes quickly with walking.