After the colonoscopy, a patient can expect the following:

• People may need to stay at the hospital or in outpatient care for 1 to 2 hours after the procedure.
• Cramping or bloating may occur during the first hour after the test.
• The anesthesia takes time to completely wear off.
• Full recovery is expected by the next day, and, when directed, a patient can go back to his/her normal diet.
• Nacogdoches Gastroenterology will review the discharge instructions with the patient—or with an accompanying friend or family member if the person is still groggy—and provide a written copy. All instructions given should be followed.
• A friend or family member will need to drive the person home after the procedure.
• If Dr. Jones removed polyps or performed a biopsy, light bleeding from the anus is normal.

Some results from a colonoscopy are available immediately after the procedure. After the anesthesia has worn off, Dr. Jones will share results with the person or a designee. Biopsy results take a few days to come back.

Seek Help for Emergency Symptoms
Patients who have any of the following symptoms after a colonoscopy should seek immediate medical attention:

• severe abdominal pain
• fever
• continued bloody bowel movements or continued bleeding from the anus
• dizziness
• weakness