Nervous about having a colonoscopy next week, have some silly questions

[Greenny]

I'm having a colonoscopy next week. I've never had any kind of hospital procedure before so I'm feeling quite nervous about the whole 'being in hospital' thing more so than the actual colonoscopy itself.

I have some silly questions that I'd feel embarrassed ringing up the hospital to ask. I want to preface these questions by highlighting that I'm very anxious about the colonoscopy and am a very private, borderline prudish, kind of person so anything that helps me feel more in control and comfortable helps. So try and overlook my ridiculousness please lol!

• What happens when I first arrive for the appointment? Do I go into a ward/bed or just wait in a waiting room?
• What do I wear during the procedure? Can I wear my normal top or will I wear a hospital gown? Can I wear a bra?
• I wear fake tan and nail polish - is this ok or does it all need to be removed? I know for operations things like this are quite strict but not sure if it's the same for a colonoscopy?
• I want to have the sedation, will I need someone in the hospital with me or can they wait in the car and I walk out to them afterwards?
• Can I wear makeup?

Thank you in advance

Some of these things with vary from hospital to hospital so my answers aren’t necessarily the way it’ll go for you. But, for me:

I go into a waiting room initially and then I’m shown to a bay where I get ready, the bed is then taken to the room where it’s performed.

I take everything off except my bra and were the gown. I always ensure I’m wearing a metal-free bra but just for comfort, I don’t think it matters.

I wear fake tan, nail polish and make up. Never been mentioned as an issue.

I didn’t have sedation but my DH came with me, he waited in the waiting room but then went for a coffee the rest of the time.

Good luck.

Mine was a few years ago, so i don't remember all of it, but it was a far less unpleasant procedure than I was expecting. I was asked to wait in the waiting room and was then called through. I was asked to change into a gown, but no one had any issues about make-up and nail polish. It's not as difficult as you would expect as you are pretty much covered up - I was at a hospital where the consultant was very aware of patient's concerns about things like this. The sedation is lovely - I had one with and one without, and tbh, I'd quite cheerfully have another colonoscopy just for the sedative!

You should have someone who will come onto the ward or recovery area to collect you if you've had sedation.

Try not to worry - it's not as bad a you are probably expecting, and best of luck.

You will be fine, I’ve had 2 and they were nowhere near as bad as I was imagining and the staff were just lovely.
I got shown to a room with trolleys, given a gown and then the nurses/clinical support helped to tie up then inserted a cannula and I was just told to wait and relax on the bed with a wee blanket on. I read my book.

I think I had to remove everything you could wear a bralette? But you’re covered up with a sheet and blanket at all times, they were very careful to look after me, keep me warm covered etc afterwards.

I didn’t wear tan etc but I’m sure you can same for polish I’m sure, I didn’t wear any makeup because the prep wasn’t the best and I didn’t feel like it but if you feel like you want to I’m sure that’s ok.

re sedation usually it’s an am or pm appointment so whoever picks you up goes away and returns or can sit in cafe I guess but it’s a while you’re there for depending on the list. Mine came and picked me up from the doors - nurse took me to door to make sure I was ok and picked up, they were all lovely and it was fine I’ve had 2 and an endoscopy. If they take biopsies it can be slightly uncomfy but the sedation helps.
hope it all goes well for you it’s not a nice thing really but it’s over really fast. Rest the rest of the day as the prep and procedure really does sap your energy and you shouldn’t drive for 24 hours or so either.

I think where you wait will vary a little depending on the hospital but from the waiting room usually you will be taken to a private changing cubicle or room.
You can keep your top clothes and bra on. They advised me to keep my warm jersey on because the theatre was cold that day. They give you discreet shorts to wear with a hole in the back and a light gown over the top. They give you socks to wear too. No one said anything about make up or nail polish.

My experience was that all the staff are kind and understanding and aware of privacy needs.

Do have sedation, I'm glad I did, it made it very easy but I think you will need to be collected and won't be allowed to make your own way to the car park. You'll be offered tea and biscuits and they'll keep an eye on you for a while to check you're OK.

It was my first procedure too and I was really worried but it was actually fine. As everyone says, the preparation is much worse than the procedure. Good luck.

Hello glad you posted and hopefully the responses will put your mind at rest. I know what you mean it is horrible being in hospital and having any kind of procedure but hopefully at least knowing what to expect will help.

Here are my answers from recent experience (I’ve had 2):

I suspect this will depend on where you are but when first arriving first time was pre covid and at a private hospital so my husband came to a private room with a bed where I waited. Second time was nhs more recently and I waited in a usual waiting room (I had to be on my own my husband could only drop me off and pick me up) had a chat with a nurse back to the waiting room and then off to change.

I had to wear a hospital gown and some shorts with a hole in, glamorous! I just assumed no bra but didn’t ask.

Fake tan and nails can’t see why this would be an issue.

For sedation my husband was not allowed to wait in the waiting room and he had to come and collect me, they called him. He went home as it’s a short drive and my start time was tbt start of the clinic not my procedure.

I wore make up

I had a call from the hospital the week before to explain everything- the above was correct for me but I’m sure it does vary, ask the questions they will have heard it all before and they are there to help.

Hope all goes well for you.

Hi. I had to have a colonoscopy recently and the other one camera down the throat.....
The colonoscopy I elected not to have sedation.... in retrospect... I should have had it 😂 but there you go. You go to the ward, I was asked to wait in the waiting room, then called to a small office, was asked questions about health took blood pressure etc.... then asked to wait again...l was called in about an hour later, escorted to a small room, asked to change into a gown.... then went through to the scanning room... up on the bed, ( I'm male by the way ) three very pleasant possibly Philippino ladies....which I was a little embarrassed about, but soon got over it.... procedure took around 15/20 mins I guess, monitored entire time blood pressure etc.... drove home
Hope it helps

I think your questions have been answered, but also:

plan to be at home for the bowel prep. When it starts to work you will want fast access to the toilet

I was offered gas and air (on top of the sedation but sedation does nothing for me). If you’re ok with gas and air then I’d recommend it.

A similar experience to above. Got charged in a waiting room and did the paperwork in there. Then walked in my gown to the room where it took place. But aside from the gown, I was huge shorts made out of J-cloth material. They had a little hole in the seam - that you can't see. They then inserted the camera through the hole so I stayed covered up all the time. I liked that.

No sedation so I went on my own and drove home afterwards.

Colonoscopy veteran here!

What happens when I first arrive for the appointment? Do I go into a ward/bed or just wait in a waiting room depends on the hospital - usually you check in, wait, a nurse comes and gets you and takes you into a room, maybe with a bed or normally with a chair, checks your obs, gives you a wrist band etc

What do I wear during the procedure? Can I wear my normal top or will I wear a hospital gown? Can I wear a bra Yes you can wear a bra. They make you remove most of your clothes and you get to wear a nice out fit with huge 'shorts' with a bum slit - and a gown

I wear fake tan and nail polish - is this ok or does it all need to be removed? I know for operations things like this are quite strict but not sure if it's the same for a colonoscopy no issue - they don't need you to remove your nail polish as you are awake

I want to have the sedation, will I need someone in the hospital with me or can they wait in the car and I walk out to them afterwards They will be telephoned to collect you when your are ready to go home

Can I wear makeup yes if you want

I have only had sedation once in 6 procedures - it's very nice ! Other 5 times I drove myself home - the last time was on my birthday so my daughter and her friend took pity on me and drove me - as a treat!

Oh, and when my mum had a colonscopy and an endoscopy and was sedated, she was moved to a ward to come round. I had to wait in the waiting room or I could go for a coffee at Costa's. Then I went into the ward to pick her up and chat to the nurse.

If it makes you feel any better OP - it doesn't hurt x

I had gas and air instead of sedation . I'm a dreadful coward - but it was not as bad as I had expected.

Think your questions have been answered above but my extra tip is to make sure you stay well hydrated during/after the prep - that will make it easier for them to get the cannula in

I had one two weeks ago. My first and I was very anxious indeed.

To answer your questions. The hospital I went to I waited in the waiting area. Was called in to see the nurse. Then back in waiting area until Dr doing procedure called me. I was then presented with a gown and shown a bay to change. Then straight into theatre. It was a bit haphazard but I think this was partly because it was a weekend so low on staff

I wasn't sure what I would be allowed to wear but in the end I was given a hospital gown. I kept my bra on but everything else off.

I wore makeup and jewellery. Nothing was mentioned and I wasn't asked to take it off. I think if you are having "proper" surgery you might need to remove them though.

Regarding sedation (which I had) I had to be collected from the ward - they wouldn't let me leave on my own. They were very strict about that. And a good job too - I was away with the fairies!!!

I few have other hints you might find useful. Vaseline is your friend. The prep will make your bum sore so use Vaseline before you start - and after every "movement". I also treated myself to posh soft loo paper - game changer 😊

Regarding sedation - highly recommend. At the time I was convinced it wasn't working but I now realise I can remember virtually nothing about the procedure at all!

I found the colonoscopy it's painless and over very quickly.

If you have anymore questions please do ask. Happy to help

Further tips:-
Follow whatever dietary advice they give you to the letter (usually bland low fibre the day before) - it will make the prep process much easier.

Once you start the prep don't plan to do anything. Stay close to the loo and have a good book handy!

And seriously don't worry OP. I was so scared I put having a colonoscopy off for literally years. But it was fine. And I got the all clear letter this week - such a relief. I should have got it out of the way a long time ago.

Sounds like procedure is different everywhere. I waited to be called and was taken to a changing room where I changed into a gown and some paper knickers, I kept my bra on.
I had been advised to wear a dressing gown as I was then taken to a different waiting room so the gown preserved some modesty.
I spoke to the Dr in one room and then went through for the procedure, where to start with, was just a nurse, who tried to persuade me not to have sedation, I insisted and got it!
My husband had to pick me up. I was nervous beforehand but it wasn't too bad at all as I was sedated. One tip, use a straw when you start to drink the mixture, use a barrier cream once the mixture starts working and get your partner to sleep in another room if possible as you may be running for the toilet all night.

The prep is the worst bit. My advice is vaseline your bum liberally before you take it, the first lot isn't too bad, but when the second lot gets going you'll think your arse is on fire! stay close to the toilet, you'll think its not working can take you by surprise!
Everything as above, I had endoscopy and colonoscopy with sedation. The staff were excellent.

I shat on the carpet 😃

At our hospital in the cubicle room I could keep my bra and my top on and I was given blue paper long shorts to wear with a hole in the back. I am a fatty so was worried they wouldn’t fit me but they fitted fine. I was then wheeled through (so my modesty was protected) in my paper top).

The prep is awful. I think I had to have a bland diet for a goodly while before taking the prep. I was worried I would pass out, go wobbly with hunger. But I was fine and once that prep starts working you would rather be safe than sorry. I felt exhausted with trips to the loo (thankfully we have two loos in our house one upstairs and one downstairs). Don’t make any plans to leave the house once you start on the prep. You will be fine.

I guess it will vary from hospital to hospital.

When I had mine last May I was very well looked after by the nurses. I was taken to a room to change, they gave me 2 hospital gowns...1 to wear forwards & 1 to wear like a coat, so no flashing bits. I kept my bra on. But had to put on a pair of paper pants with a flap on the back so they could gain access.

The canula for sedation was put in when I went into the next room, then I lay on my side for the procedure - which was not nearly as bad as I expected. It didn't hurt, it just felt a bit odd.

Afterwards my bed was wheeled to a recovery room, where I was left for 15 minutes, although a kind nurse came to explain things again.

Because I'd had sedation my husband had to come in to collect me. I could hear them ringing him & he wasn't picking up at first!

After I'd got dressed I was taken to another room & given a cup of tea & biscuits.

When my husband arrived we were taken to another room where the specialist nurse talked us through what had happened & what to expect next. They said they like the person picking you up to be there for the talk because you might not remember it all after sedation.

I found the prep beforehand the worst part but my sister had one just last week & said she was OK with that. Her procedure was done in a different hospital to mine but was almost the same in the way everything was done.

The staff were all lovely & I felt very well looked after.

Good luck with your procedure.

I've had loads of them, honestly nothing to worry about. The worst bit is drinking the prep - get a straw as it helps get it down without having to taste it.

Best bit is the sedation 😂 and afterwards the nurse tucks you in to bed and brings you tea whilst you float back to the surface. Dreamy.

I have had one colonoscopy, i think most procedural issues have been described already. I chose not to be sedated but would if I had another one. I found it uncomfortable at times, the nurse said it is when they are inserting air to expand the colon to get a better view. After the procedure I had terrible wind pains, again from the air used. However it may be something I am susceptible to as I had agonising pains after my 2 caesareans. I wouldn't have been able to drive home but my husband had stayed at the hospital.

Cousin (who is with me now ironically) had one but done privately.
She obviously did all the prep the night before, went into hospital. Filled out forms, sent into a private room.
Signed more paperwork, cannulated, had to wait a while longer and then went in.
No bras and they don't really like nail polish.
Given sedation, watched it all on screen, Given results straight away and then monitored on ward for a while.
Said it wasn't painful. Just uncomfortable in places.
Prep is the worst bit she said x

Another tip regarding prep. If you have to take moviprep make the solution up before you need to take it and store it in the fridge. It tastes vile but it much much more palatable if it is proper cold. And drink through a straw. I found having a small glass of the prep followed by a few mouthfuls of squash helpful. Then repeat until the prep is all gone

Be prepared for the intestines full of fart after the procedure. I looked 9 months pregnant and was desperate to blow off but nothing would come out. I ended up doing yoga poses to try and fart as I felt like I might explode