Colonoscopy with sedation

sedated colonoscopy · colonoscopy asleep · sleep colonoscopy

The same colonoscopy, a camera check of the large bowel, but you are asleep. An anesthesiologist gives medicine into a vein and watches you the whole time.

If you feel scared or it was hard before, if you have pain, for a long exam, or to remove polyps.

⏱ Duration: usually 20 to 40 minutes, plus 30 to 60 minutes to wake up; bowel prep the day before

Be sure to tell your doctor

If you take blood thinners or iron tablets
If you have diabetes. Your prep and medicines will need to be adjusted
Heart, lung, or kidney disease, or snoring with pauses in breathing
Allergies, and how you handled anesthesia before
If you are pregnant

How to prepare

2 to 3 days before. Eat a low-fiber diet: no vegetables, fruit, leafy greens, seeds, nuts, whole grains, or beans.
Bowel prep. Drink the bowel prep solution as your doctor says, often in two parts: in the evening and early in the morning.
Food and water. Because of sedation, the rules are stricter. Usually no food for 6 to 8 hours, and clear water up to 2 to 3 hours before. Your clinic will give you the exact times.
Medicines. Do not stop them on your own. Ask your doctor which pills to take in the morning with a sip of water.
Someone with you. You need an adult to take you home. You are usually not allowed to leave alone.

What to bring

Your referral
Past colonoscopy reports
A list of your medicines
Someone to take you home

How it goes

The anesthesiologist asks about your health, and an IV is put into a vein
A sensor goes on your finger and a blood pressure cuff on your arm
You lie on your left side and get oxygen through a small tube in your nose
The medicine is given, and you fall asleep within a minute
The doctor does the colonoscopy and removes polyps if needed
You wake up in the recovery room and are watched until you are fully awake

What you'll feel

You usually feel and remember nothing
After waking: sleepiness and bloating from the air

Afterwards

Bloating goes away in a few hours. Walking helps
For the rest of the day, do not drive, use machines, or make big decisions
No alcohol that day
You can usually eat once you are fully awake
Biopsy results take 1 to 2 weeks

Contact a doctor straight away if

Severe belly pain, a high fever, or heavy bleeding from the bottom: see a doctor right away or call emergency services
Severe weakness, shortness of breath, or fainting after the test: call emergency services

Common questions

Is this general anesthesia?

Usually not. It is a deep sleep from medicine. You breathe on your own and wake up quickly.

Why can't I drive after sedation?

The medicine slows your reactions for several hours, even if you feel fine.

Can I drink water before a sedated colonoscopy?

Usually clear water is fine until 2 to 3 hours before. Your clinic will tell you the exact time.