Colonoscopy 101 – Preparation, Procedure, and What to Expect

Last update : 30 Juin 2025

Aging comes with the risk of a series of health problems. This is exactly what makes it a must for individuals to keep their health in check with the help of a doctor. They perform periodic tests to ensure everything in the body functions just as it should. Well, one such test or medical procedure is a Colonoscopy.

A colonoscopy procedure is an excellent test to detect abnormalities in the colon. Getting this becomes important for people as the threat of colorectal cancer, the one that is detected through the procedure, is increasing with each passing year and is expected to reach 3.2 million cases per year by 2040.  However, getting this for the first time can be a little stressful. This is why, here, we will break down the basics of Colonoscopy with you. From the bowel prep for colonoscopy to the procedure itself, we will walk you through everything to make things easier for you.

Who should get a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy procedure is recommended mainly for people between 40 to 50 years old. This is used as a precautionary measure to ensure the colon region is functioning perfectly. The test might also be ideal for people if they are at an average risk of colon cancer. Most doctors recommend one Colonoscopy every 10 years. However, in case of a higher risk, a doctor might recommend getting a screen sooner than usual.

Understanding the Purpose of a Colonoscopy

Getting a colonoscopy procedure often starts with the question, “What diseases can be detected by a colonoscopy?” Well, Colonoscopy surgeons might prescribe the procedure for a few different reasons. Some of the purposes behind getting this procedure are:

Detecting Colorectal Cancer and Polyps

Polyps are small growths that are sometimes found in the inner lining of the colon or large intestine. These are much like a tumor, which is a cluster of abnormal cells. If not treated immediately and effectively, colon polyps can even turn into cancer. This is why getting a male or female colonoscopy procedure becomes important. This helps in the detection and removal of polyps and also acts as an early detection for colorectal cancer.

Diagnosing Digestive Issues

Digestive issues are quite common and one of the biggest results of a poor lifestyle and unhealthy diet. However, these can become a little too serious when signs like abdominal pain, bleeding, and changes in bowel habits start to appear. These can be the initial signs of serious health issues. And leaving them as it is can subsequently escalate the issue.

This is exactly why doctors prescribe their patients to get a colonoscopy in Montreal from us. Other than that, this procedure is also effective in evaluating the risks related to conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Routine Screening for High-Risk Individuals

Much like many other diseases, cancer also depends a lot on one’s genetics and what they have inherited from their family. This is why a Colonoscopy is often prescribed to people who have a family history and there are genetic risk factors at work. The process works like a preventive measure to ensure the individual isn’t at risk of colon cancer. These focus on the early signs and evaluate the possible changes.

How to Prepare for a Colonoscopy

The colonoscopy procedure might appear like any other health checkup. However, there is much more to it than one thinks. This process involves a proper preparation step, which is extremely important for all. Without carrying out proper prep for a Colonoscopy, you will not be able to get the results that the procedure aims at. 

Dietary Restrictions before the Procedure

Getting a Colonoscopy requires you to keep your bowel empty so that the doctor can get a proper view of the colon’s inside. This is why doctors prescribe that patients start the bowel cleanse at least 3 to 4 days in advance. This involves eating low-fiber foods that are easy to digest. Individuals can have pasta, white bread, rice, well-cooked vegetables, or just simple fruits, both without any skin or seeds.

Other than this, they can also eat eggs, fish, chicken, or lean meat. However, they cannot consume fatty foods, tough meat, whole grains, or even raw vegetables. Vegetables like corn, broccoli, cabbage, peas, or beans are strictly prohibited during this time as they take quite some time to leave the body.

The Bowel Prep Process

Your bowel needs to be at its optimal for the colonoscopy to be carried out smoothly. Well, this is achieved through a few different things, one of which is laxatives, something that plays a big role in a bowel prep for colonoscopy. When you get this procedure done from an Ottawa colonoscopy clinic, you will notice that the doctor will prescribe that you take laxatives the afternoon or evening before the procedure.

This is given to purge your bowels, in simple words to poop everything out of the system. So, individuals should stay near the bathroom because they will be required to make several visits there for the next few hours after taking the laxative. Other than that, they must also keep themselves properly hydrated so that their bodies are capable of dealing with the changes.

Medication Adjustments before the Test

In some cases, a colonoscopy surgeon will suggest that you make a few adjustments to the medications that you take. This is why it becomes important for all to consult their doctor regarding the medicines that they take. A few medications that require adjustments are blood thinners, diabetes medications, or supplements.

However, you shouldn’t abruptly stop taking the medication before the procedure if you are not told to do so by the doctor. They are the only when who can guide you regarding the adjustments.

What Happens During a Colonoscopy?

Most people who decide to get a Colonoscopy from a private clinic in West Island or other parts of the country tend to have questions like “How long does a colonoscopy take? Is a colonoscopy painful?” or others. Well, to find the answer to this question, you will first have to understand what actually happens during it. So, we will break down the basics of it in a simple manner.

The Step-by-Step Procedure

The steps that are a part of a colonoscopy procedure are:

Step 1: Sedation and Anesthesia

The first step of the process is to numb the area of the procedure so that the patient does not feel any discomfort. During this, the individual is either sedated or given local anesthesia, during which they might feel the general sensation related to an injection.

Step 2: Examination Process

During this step, a colonoscope which is a small lighted camera is inserted through the patient’s anus. The camera is attached to the very end of a long, flexible, and thin tube, which is known as the catheter. The entire thing is directed by the colonoscopy surgeon, and they advance the colonoscope through the colon and reach the very end where it meets the small intestine.

Then the catheter pumps air into the colon while advancing further to inflate it. The camera works simultaneously to capture videos of your insides. The doctor of the private colonoscopy clinic who is performing the procedure monitors for any abnormalities and then brings the colonoscopy back out through the same way for a second time.

In case the doctor does notice any polyps or abnormalities, then they get it out simply with the help of a special tool, which is passed through the colonoscope. This tool is either a forcep or a snare, or even an electrocautery, depending on what works best for the situation.

How Long Does a Colonoscopy Procedure Take?

 A typical male or female colonoscopy procedure usually takes close to half an hour. It generally takes 15 minutes to advance the colonoscope device to the very end of the large intestine. And then, another 15 minutes to bring the colonoscopy back out of your body. However, the duration of the procedure might extend a bit if the doctor notices any abnormalities in your body. This is why the answer to “How long does a colonoscopy take?” varies.

Does a Colonoscopy Hurt?

Colonoscopy isn’t usually a painful process. So, most people who experience the process will answer a “No” to questions like “Is a colonoscopy painful?” This is because the anaesthesia or sedation simplifies the process. However, there is a slight chance that you might feel some pain or discomfort if you get a light sedation or no sedation at all.

Recovery After a Colonoscopy

The recovery from a colonoscopy procedure usually takes just about a day. Your body usually takes an hour to recover from the sedative, during which you are assisted to stay at a private colonoscopy clinic. After that, once the doctor feels you are clear to leave the clinic, you will be able to go back home, but with the assistance of a family member who will drive you home.

Once you reach your home, you will be required to rest for the rest of the day before resuming regular activities. Other than that, you should also resume your regular diet, filled with high-fiber foods, and drink plenty of fluids.

Most important of all, you should avoid consuming alcohol for the next 24 hours and avoid inflammatory drugs in case you have had polyps removed from your body. Lastly, you should constantly monitor your body to detect any changes that should be immediately reported to your healthcare provider.

Understanding Your Colonoscopy Results

Gaining a full understanding of the results of your colonoscopy procedure requires a doctor’s assistance. They will be able to make you aware of the normal or abnormal findings of the tests. In brief, normal findings show a colon that is healthy and devoid of any abnormalities.

On the other hand, abnormal findings show a colon that has polyps, inflammation, or polyps. In case the latter takes place, then you will be required to follow the necessary next steps that your colonoscopy surgeon directs you to do.

Next, you might also have to carry out follow-up screenings and get monitoring recommendations from the doctor. Plus, they might also recommend regular screening guidelines based on findings, and the screening frequencies will be subsequently increased for high-risk individuals. 

Conclusion

A colonoscopy procedure is a useful medium for detecting and preventing any colon abnormalities and their escalation. By getting this procedure from a skilled Colonoscopy doctor, you get a chance to stay aware of the changes taking place in your body and make an attempt at maintaining a healthy state. Through this blog, we worked on making you aware of everything that you will experience before, during, and after you get a Colonoscopy. We are sure that this will help you in improving your understanding and make you more confident regarding getting it.