What a Colonoscopy is Really Like, with Dr. James Grant
Nearly 150,000 people will be newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year. This is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US, and the incidence is rising in people younger than 55. But colorectal cancer is highly treatable if caught early, and the best tool for early detection is a colonoscopy screening.
Some people are uncomfortable with the idea of a colonoscopy. To help ease concerns, Dr. James Grant, chief medical officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, documented his own colonoscopy screening and shared it in this video.
Dr. Grant says the first step is to get a colonoscopy order or a referral from your primary care physician. A gastroenterologist or a colorectal surgeon will perform the colonoscopy procedure. Once your procedure is scheduled, you’ll get instructions on how to prepare for it.
Preparation for the procedure usually begins one or two days beforehand with some dietary changes. The day before the procedure, you will only have clear liquids like water, black coffee or tea, broth, or fruit juice without pulp; and jello. However, red or purple juices and jellos are not allowed. This is because the colors can skew the results during your exam.
Your preparation instructions will give you a specific time to begin taking the prep solution. There are many different prep solutions, and each requires a good amount of water in addition to the solution. This helps to clear out your system, which is necessary for the doctor to have a clear view of the bowel.
Once you’ve begun the prep, Dr. Grant recommends staying close to a bathroom. You will likely make many trips there over the next several hours.
Next, it’s time for the procedure. Dr. Grant’s procedure took less than two hours from the time he checked in to the time he was wheeled out. Most people will feel alert and ready to eat once the procedure is over. Because you will have had some anesthesia, Dr. Grant recommends staying close to home the rest of the day.
Finally, when it’s time for you to have your colonoscopy screening, don’t put it off. Colonoscopies save lives. Find more information at bcbsm.com/colorectal.
As of July 1, 2021, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network will cover colorectal screenings for most members beginning at age 45 to align with the recommendation of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. For more information, click here.
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Thanks for sharing Dr. Grant!
Thank you for sharing. I just had my first one in January and scan was CLEAN! So thankful I don’t have to do it again for ten more years. Interesting that you had a script for a Prep as mine was OTC MiraLax (blech!) but I guess some doctors do things differently.
Hi Toni,
Thank you for sharing your experience! Way to stay on top of important preventive care.
Ah, where to begin. So many things I would love to say about this video, but words escape me. I think I’ll just say nice work on the editing and camera angles. More importantly, thank you for the very thorough bowel prep work in the days leading up to the scope. I’m not sure I would have enjoyed seeing the ABC from Empress Garden after it traveled the full distance through you 🙂
Anesthesia is not required for a colonoscopy. I’ve had 7 and it’s not uncomfortable at all. Besides you can watch and see exactly what the Dr is seeing and ask questions.
We’re glad to hear you’ve had positive experiences, Linda, and that you’re taking important preventive steps to stay healthy!
As a long-term survivor of early-onset metastatic colon cancer, and a former colon cancer researcher, I can assure you that colonoscopy is well advised, particularly if one has a family history. I’ve had many procedures with no sedation. Avoiding solid food for a day or two prior, makes the prep and procedure easier.
Thanks for the tip, Dave! Glad to hear you’re doing well.
Thank you Dr Grant. That was awesome. I didn’t know about all of the beforehand work. Informative and entertaining.
Mine is Monday…can’t wait.
Does it give men prostrate issues? My husband says it made his worse.
Hi Jackie, studies show there is an association between colonoscopies and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
very helpful. doctor should suggest for new patient to watch
It saved my life! I had no symptoms, but the simple stool sample kit given to me by my doctor showed blood in the stool that led to a colonoscopy. It showed a tumor. I had the resectioning surgery and thankfully it was only at stage 1 and did not require any further treatment. Throughout, I never had any symptoms!
Hi Judy, so glad to hear you had a successful surgery and are doing well!
getting ready to go in for colo very helpful prep done with age 59 M
polip removed test results next week
I’ve done that procedure a long time ago. I don’t like being put to sleep. Is there another like you swallow a camera, and it would take pictures? Then you poop it out.
Hello Vina. There is a procedure called a capsule endoscopy that matches the description you provided. Here’s more information on that: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gastroenterology_hepatology/clinical_services/basic_endoscopy/capsule_endoscopy.html
I did not find your video very complete. You did not talk about how your night went or how many bathroom trips you had to take. Did you have cramping? You didn’t talk about gas after the procedure. You did not explain that your colon was pink but if you didn’t follow the prep instructions what it would have been like.
Hi Jed. Thank you for your feedback on Dr. Grant’s video. We’ll be certain to pass it along.