Colonoscopy

What is a colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy uses a special camera called a colonoscope – a long, thin flexible tube with a camera and light at the tip – which is passed through the anus and into the bowel. The colonoscope allows your specialist to perform a detailed examination of the large bowel as well as perform procedures such as biopsies and removal of polyps if required.

Why do I need a colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy can detect inflammation, ulcers and abnormal growths in the bowel. The procedure is used to look for cancer and can help to work out the cause for unexplained changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, bleeding from the bowel and weight loss. In some people with a family history or polyps on a previous test, a colonoscopy is appropriate to check for bowel cancer.

How is a colonoscopy performed?
A colonoscopy is usually performed under a light anaesthetic and is not painful. As a result, you will not be able to drive for 24 hours or operate machinery after the procedure is complete. You will need someone to drive you to and from your procedure.

A thorough inspection of the bowel usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes. A sample of the bowel lining (biopsy) may be taken to allow a review of it under a microscope or polyps (small tissue growths) may be removed. Polyps are common in adults, however, most bowel cancer begins as a polyp so removing them early is the most effective way to prevent cancer.

Why do I need to have bowel preparation?
For a successful colonoscopy, it is essential to empty the bowel thoroughly of all waste material using ‘bowel preparation’. Failure to do this prior to colonoscopy may mean your specialist won’t be able to see the bowel to detect disease or cancer, and may require repeating the procedure and of course, repeating the bowel preparation.

We know that a low residue (or ‘white’ diet) prior to colonoscopy significantly improves bowel preparation. This is why we have developed GSG White - The diet for the ultimate colonoscopy. Following this diet will significantly increase the likelihood of a successful bowel preparation and successful colonoscopy.

How do I take the bowel preparation?
At Gippsland Specialist Group, we have preparation regimes tailored for you, in order to ensure that you have the best possible opportunity for a clean bowel. You will need to buy the required bowel regime kit from your local pharmacy for which you will not need a prescription. You will be advised of the bowel preparation regime that your specialist has selected especially to suit you. All of the standard bowel preparations we use at GSG are available in our Info Section, however please ensure that if you are using these sheets you select the correct one and the regime has not been altered for your special circumstances. Please reach out to our friendly Gippsland Specialist Group staff on (03) 5630 8800 anytime if you have questions about bowel preparation.

What are the risks of a colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is a very safe procedure, and complications are rare when the procedure is performed by doctors who are specially trained in colonoscopy. A/Prof Chris Mills is currently the only advanced and interventional endoscopist working in Gippsland, with extensive training in all facets of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy.

Very few people experience serious side-effects from colonoscopy. The most common side effect is bloating after the colonoscopy. Exceedingly rare complications of colonoscopy include tearing a small hole in the bowel wall (perforation), bleeding, a failure to complete the procedure, an incorrect diagnosis, a missed lesion or complications of the anaesthetic. Please feel free to discuss any of these complications with your specialist if you would like more information prior to your procedure.

I still have some questions. Where can I go?
For further information, please browse through our Info Section, catch us through our Contact Us page or reach out to our friendly Gippsland Specialist Group staff on (03) 5630 8800.

We also have some other Info Sheets on our website about colonoscopy that might help - please click here.
To download this Colonoscopy Information page as a pdf - please click here.