I was told that prison love is worse...just say'n.

I'm scheduling my first colonscopy (five years over due)

How many days off should I plan for this?

Thanks all!

One day, realistically. You'll feel drowsy for a couple hours afterwards.

So the "prep" is just the night before?

Thanks again,

I hope everything comes out ok!

As others have said, the prep before is by far the worst part. I woke up feeling groggy. No doubt you have to have someone else drive you home. I was fine in a few hours. Back at the work the day after the procedure.

What's the consensus here? First one at age 50?

Yes, I'm 55... doc mentioned it when I turned 50... and I... uh... forgot to have it scheduled.

I'm going in for a checkup next Monday and will set it up then.

Yup...and I know it seems like a no brainer, but make sure you have a ride home.

I started at 45 since there was a history of colon cancer in my family (Mother died from it).

I am very glad I did: polyps o' poppin' on the first mining expedition, none since:cool:

I had mine at 50. Those pipes are clean, don't need another one for 10 years.
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Seahawk, do they remove polyps right then and there while doing the scope? Or is that a separate procedure?

Refuse the anesthesia or nerve block and then jog home afterwards. If the distance is less than 2 miles, then run some laps.

I'm pretty sure they hit them with a snare that cauterizes them at the same time. Not a doctor, but have worked on House, ER, Grey's Anatomy, etc...

That is what the Doc's say, but I had one last year (45) and found 5 polyps, 2 pre-cancer, one the size of a dime, I may not have made it to 50 had I not switched docs..

In my case they hit some and also brought some of the polyps to the surface for a biopsy. At least I think so, I was quite drowsy at the time. :D

In my experience, consider declining anesthesia if:
1. you're male.
2. you're a little plump.
3. you're healthy (no script meds, no health problems).
4. you don't take meds for headaches or post every ache or problem in PPOT (better pain tolerance).
5. you have no issues with being violated (medically) by a stranger.


If you don't hit all of these, think twice...you may well be "ok" but your odds go down by missing any of these.

YMMV but I've sedated well over a thousand people for these in the past 10 years.

The anesthesia is freaky. I've had at least 10 counting the flex sigs. The nurses know me and always tell me I've talked to them thru the entire procedure. But of course I remember nothing. Freaky.

I am requesting EXTRA meds!!!

If anyone is knocking on my back door I DO NOT want to be awake for the experience!

Do you think I can get med. weed for post Op stress?

Already back. I actually wasn't out for it - just some verced and fentanyl. I watched the camera feed the whole time while joking with the doc and nurses. He said I had a "tortured colon" - lot's of twists and turns. He snipped two polyps and said I have some diverticulosis (asymptomatic). They'll check the polyps and worst case is I come back in 5 years, best case is 10 years. Had some lunch and now pondering a nap.

Fwiw I worked yesterday until 6pm, came right home and started the prep. Did work email this morning, then had a 10:30 appt, was out by noon, and I'll likely be doing work email this afternoon.

when i do this..and believe me, i am agonizing about it. i will swallow a macadamia nut whole before the procedure..hahah.

glad your back todd. sorry about the tortured colon..hehe.

Glad it wasn't anything too serious.
I had a diverticulitis episode last summer. Not fun.
A least I know now not to be a tough guy and get to the hospital if it happens again.
Going to my GP next week to see what comes next.