Your surgeon has recommended that you undergo a colonoscopy, a procedure designed to examine the large intestine using a flexible tube with a camera. If you’re not already familiar, this involves gently inserting the tube through the anus to inspect the bowel. The procedure is performed under sedation, ensuring your comfort and leaving you with little or no memory of the experience. Most patients find it simple and easy to tolerate. Afterward, Your surgeon will typically provide a brief summary of the findings while you’re in the recovery area.
Because the sedatives may affect your memory, you might not retain all the details of this initial discussion. Generally, the preliminary results will provide an overview, such as “your bowel was clear with good visibility” or “we removed a few polyps during the procedure.” These results are meant to give you a quick summary of what was observed. A follow-up appointment will be arranged with Your surgeon, either at his clinic or via telehealth, to review the findings in greater depth. You will also receive two copies of the procedure report upon discharge, one of which should be passed along to your general practitioner (GP).
Colonoscopy Results
Normal Findings
The ideal outcome of a colonoscopy is discovering no abnormalities. A clean and healthy colon is what we aim to find during the procedure.
Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids are swollen veins located near the surface of the anus lining and are a common source of rectal bleeding. While haemorrhoids are a normal anatomical feature, they can become enlarged or irritated due to factors such as constipation, pregnancy, chronic coughing, or heavy lifting. Mild cases of bleeding can often be managed by improving bowel habits, adopting a high-fiber diet, and using over-the-counter haemorrhoid creams or suppositories. For persistent bleeding, Your surgeon may perform a procedure at the end of the colonoscopy to place rubber bands on the haemorrhoids, causing them to shrink. These bands typically fall off naturally within 10–14 days after the procedure.
Diverticular Disease
Diverticular disease is a common condition in Western populations and is often discovered incidentally during a colonoscopy or imaging scan. It occurs when small pouches, called diverticula, form in the walls of the colon due to weak spots in the muscle layer. These pouches are most commonly found in the sigmoid colon (lower-left abdomen) but can appear throughout the colon. While typically benign and non-cancerous, most people experience no symptoms. However, in some cases, these pouches may cause discomfort, inflammation (diverticulitis), bleeding, or even bowel narrowing. Severe complications, such as bowel perforation, are rare but can occur.
Colonic Polyps
Polyps are tissue growths that protrude from the lining of the colon. There are two primary types of polyps:
- Benign Polyps – These growths do not carry a risk of becoming cancerous and generally require no treatment.
- Neoplastic Polyps – These include precancerous polyps (adenomas) and cancerous growths (adenocarcinomas).
The likelihood of cancer increases with the number and size of adenomas. Smaller polyps are often removed during the colonoscopy, while larger ones may necessitate surgical removal. Any polyps extracted during the procedure will be sent to a pathologist for analysis. The pathology report will identify the type of polyp and assess any associated risks.
When Will the Results Be Ready?
Pathology results are typically available between 7-10 days. Once the findings are ready, Your surgeon will discuss them with you during a follow-up appointment, either in person or via phone consultation. Based on the results, he will advise on the appropriate timeline for your next colonoscopy, which may be in 3, 5, or 10 years.