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How long does colonoscopy take?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 12/30/2014 5:49 AM (GMT 0)
From the time of entering the clinic to the time they release you from the clinic?  Conscious sedation will be used.
Posted 12/30/2014 8:04 AM (GMT 0)
Usually you are checked in about an hour or two before the procedure (at least). Then the colonoscopy itself is about 30-45 minutes. Lastly, when you come out from being under, it takes about an hour to recover. So overall, the maximum is 4 hours and the minimum is two hours (although that rarely occurs).

You also have to factor in how far behind schedule the doctor is.
Posted 12/30/2014 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
I had a colonoscopy a week ago. I arrived at 11:30 and left at 4:30. I did show up a little earlier than requested in hopes of pre-sedation IV/fluids since I had been sick. Other factors are what type of facility--academic vs outpatient type surgery center.
Posted 12/30/2014 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
I just called the clinic where it will be done. I have to be there at 12:30 pm and she said I should be finished by 3:30 pm tops. She said it also depends on how long it takes a person to come out of sedation.

Has anyone had conscious sedation? Is it still possible to remember what was being said while under?
Is the amnesia present in some of the patients or in all of them?
Posted 12/30/2014 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
The last scope I had I was conscious the entire time and watched the monitor while the GI was doing it. Even when I've been sedated enough to be "asleep", I well remember the conversation with the GI afterwards. I'm sure it varies with everyone.

One of the GI's staff once told me that the sedation is like amnesia, but I'm not sure that's a correct assessment. I wouldn't describe it that way.
Posted 12/30/2014 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you. I had a colonoscopy about 7-8 years ago and I was given what I believe to be the same med they will be giving me this time (conscious sedation) . I remember them starting the procedure, then waking up in the Recovery room with no recollection of what happened in between. Maybe when amnesia happens, it's because we are given too much.
Posted 12/31/2014 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Dorri, the sedation depends on who is doing it. Conscious sedation is lighter sedation where it is possible to be aware. This type of sedation can be given by the GI nurses as ordered by the GI doctor. If anesthesia is involved with the sedation, it is unlikely that you will remember anything. They use different drugs than would be used by the GI team. Good luck!
Posted 12/31/2014 6:33 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you. The last time a different GI did the procedure, but what makes me think it was the Conscious Sedation is that I remember them telling me they will be giving me something that may cause me to forget, so I think it will be the same med.
Posted 12/31/2014 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Dorri, what makes me not panic when my GI orders a colonoscopy, is that I'll sleep. He gives me each time anesthesia and I wake up w/o remembering anything. So far, I've had 5 colonoscopies. Unlike upper endoscopies where they give me a lighter anesthetic and I always remember the first part when they introduce the scope in my throat. Every time I resist it and they push the anesthetic quickly into my veins before I pull it out. This has always been the case in the 6 upper scopes I've had. During this year's scope, after they prepared me and were about to start the procedure, I felt nauseated and decided to sit instead of lying down. All the staff were shocked and the anesthetician put me immediately to sleep.
Good luck :)
Posted 1/1/2015 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
I just had a colonscopy. The procedure itself didn't last more than a half hour. I don't remember anything after they gave me the medication until I was waking up in recovery. The GI told me he suspects I have IBS in addition to my Crohn's because I was complaining that I was in pain throughout the procedure. I don't remember any of it, but it still seems like if I was saying I was in pain then they should have given me more anesthesia! Hard to argue that point though, when I can't remember it at all. Most people don't remember anything with conscious sedation, but they are able to respond to the doc. I think you'll do fine.
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