Colonoscopy and piercings

[wurlycurlywurly]

Hi, I’m due a colonoscopy with light sedation and have seen it says no jewellery.

I have a number of ear piercings which are new and difficult to remove. I’ve seen conflicting advice online- some saying they were allowed to keep them in, others saying not.

I can try to book in with a piercer to change them to plastic/acrylic but want to check if anyone has experience with this and if they were allowed to keep them in. I’d rather avoid the cost and possible aggravation of changing them! Plus I’m not sure I can get booked in now with a piercer before the procedure.

i asked my consultant who said they were unsure and to check when I have the preop assessment, but that will leave little time to sort if there is an issue. Thanks

Hi - I have had multiple colonoscopies and never been asked to remove jewellery. I think you’ll be fine. Good luck!

@TheWisePanda thankyou for the quick reply!

Did you have polyps removed during these procedures? The consultant said they may not be able to remove polyps found if I have ear piercings, something to do with the electric cauterisation. But I’ve seen plenty others say they did have polyps removed so it’s confusing 🫤 maybe it’s just very large polyps as risk of bleeding is higher.

Also I would have thought the ears were far away enough from what is happening the other end 😆

Phone the ward for advice.

@Cookingandfoldingthings I have called and was told to check when I’m called back for the pre op questions- my worry is that won’t leave much time to try and sort something out before my procedure. So I was hoping to hear what others have experienced RE this

Yes I’ve had polyps removed a couple
of times. As PP has suggested you might just want to call up the ward and then you’ll know for sure.

Sorry, blunt first reply - I’ve had these
done (upper and lower GI) and never had any comments or requests re piercings.
Also had gynae procedure, they chose not to use heat to cauterise incisions due to my two titanium hips - not much option on removing those!

Appreciate that the longer answer isn’t much use either, as it covers all experiences

If you need cauterisation you can’t have any metal. I had surgery last year and they told me very explicitly that I could attend with my jewellery and hair extensions still in, but I would need to sign a form stating I have taken the risk and that if I get burnt I take responsibility for it.

Thankyou everyone I will see if I can contact someone before my schedule pre-op call to get a definitive answer