What to Expect After a Colonoscopy

If you have an upcoming colonoscopy , you may be wondering what exactly happens not only during but after the procedure.

During a colonoscopy, your doctor will examine your entire colon, also known as the large intestine, by using a long, flexible tube called a colonoscope that has a light and a small camera on the end. Afterward, your doctor will share your results with you.

The procedure is performed for a number of reasons. It's often done as a screening test to look for and remove precancerous polyps. It's also used to evaluate symptoms such as chronic diarrhea, rectal bleeding, or a change in bowel habits.

Colonoscopies are generally safe, and most people recover with few or no complications. But it's still helpful to know what side effects you may experience afterward, how to find relief from these side effects, and potential warning signs that warrant a call to your doctor.

Recovering From the Sedative After a Colonoscopy

You'll be sedated before a colonoscopy.

After the procedure, which typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes, the sedative mostly wears off within one to three hours. But the effects can vary depending on the type and dosage of sedatives given and individual factors like age, overall health, and metabolism, says Andrew C. Chang, MD , a gastroenterology and internal medicine specialist at Loma Linda University Health in California.

"Most patients feel fully alert within 24 hours, but can expect to experience residual drowsiness or grogginess for the rest of the day," says Dr. Chang. "Some people may also feel lightheaded, have mild memory lapses, or experience unsteadiness on their feet immediately after the procedure."

For these reasons, it's advised to avoid driving, operating heavy machinery, or making any important decisions until the sedative has fully worn off, generally by the next day. Someone else should drive you to and from your colonoscopy.

Common Side Effects After a Colonoscopy

It's common to experience some mild side effects following a colonoscopy, which typically get better on their own within a few hours to a few days.

Side effects may include abdominal cramping, bloating, or gas.

"It is not uncommon to notice a small amount of blood with the first bowel movement after a colonoscopy, especially if a biopsy [was performed] or a polyp was removed," Chang adds. "This should be minimal and typically resolves quickly."

Some patients may also feel fatigued or weak for a day or so after the colonoscopy due to both the sedation and the fasting required before the procedure, Chang notes.

Generally, the immediate post-procedure experience is the same for everyone, regardless of why they underwent a colonoscopy, Chang says. But in certain cases, the reason you're undergoing a colonoscopy may influence aftercare.

"For example, if the colonoscopy is done for routine colon cancer screening and no abnormalities are found, the recovery process is typically straightforward," Chang says. "But if the colonoscopy is performed to diagnose or monitor inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or if polyps are removed or biopsies are taken, there may be additional instructions to follow."

For instance, patients with an IBD like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis might experience more discomfort afterward and often require specific follow-up care tailored to their condition, Chang says.

Additionally, if a polyp is removed or a biopsy (a tissue sample) is taken, there might be a slightly higher chance of experiencing some bleeding. In these cases, your doctor may provide more specific guidelines to follow post-procedure, Chang says.

How to Ease Side Effects After a Colonoscopy

If you're experiencing some uncomfortable side effects after a colonoscopy, there are a few things you can do to find relief.

The first is to drink plenty of fluids following the procedure. "This helps flush the sedative from the body and prevent dehydration, especially since patients have usually fasted before the procedure," Chang says.

Gentle movement, such as walking, can help relieve bloating and gas by encouraging the body to pass the air into the colon, Chang adds.

It's also important to reintroduce solid foods gradually. "I usually recommend eating light for the first food after the procedure and avoiding anything too greasy or too spicy," says Peter Stanich, MD , a gastroenterologist specializing in colorectal cancer at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center in Columbus. "This usually minimizes any bloating or queasiness that can occur."

Finally, if you're experiencing discomfort or cramping, you can take certain over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen to help with pain. "It's best to avoid NSAIDs [nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs] such as ibuprofen or aspirin immediately after the procedure unless specifically recommended by your doctor," Chang says. These medications can increase the risk of bleeding for some people.

When to Seek Medical Attention After a Colonoscopy

While a colonoscopy is generally considered safe, no procedure is without risk. Some potential complications of a colonoscopy could include:

• Continued bleeding after a polyp removal or biopsy
• Bloating, nausea, vomiting, or rectal irritation from the procedure itself or the colonoscopy prep
• A negative reaction to the sedative or pain medicine
• In rare cases, a perforation (hole) in the wall of the intestine

If you experience any of the following symptoms after a colonoscopy, contact your doctor right away.

• Fever or chills
• Feeling unable to pass gas
• Nausea or vomiting
• Severe or persistent abdominal pain or a hardened abdomen
• Frequent bloody stools
• Inability to pass gas

"If symptoms are more mild, such as generalized discomfort or a small amount of blood with a bowel movement, this should also be reported to the endoscopy team but may not need an emergency department visit," Dr. Stanich says. "As a general rule of thumb, if you are worried let your doctor know."

The Takeaway

A colonoscopy is generally considered a safe procedure, but you may experience some mild side effects like cramping, bloating, or grogginess after it's done. Most side effects resolve on their own within a few days, and you can find relief through hydration, gentle movement, and specific diet choices. Remember to look out for more severe side effects like significant bleeding or severe abdominal pain, and reach out to your doctor if such issues arise.

Resources We Trust

• Mayo Clinic: Colonoscopy
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Colonoscopy
• Mount Sinai Hospital: Colonoscopy Discharge
• Johns Hopkins Medicine: Colonoscopy
• Richmond University Medical Center: The Best and Worst Foods to Eat After a Colonoscopy

Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking

Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy . We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.

Sources

1. Colonoscopy. Mayo Clinic . February 28, 2024.
2. Colonoscopy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases . August 2023.
3. NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). Cleveland Clinic . July 24, 2023.
4. Colonoscopy. Johns Hopkins Medicine .

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Ira Daniel Breite, MD

Medical Reviewer

Ira Daniel Breite, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He is an associate professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , where he also sees patients and helps run an ambulatory surgery center.

Dr. Breite divides his time between technical procedures, reading about new topics, and helping patients with some of their most intimate problems. He finds the deepest fulfillment in the long-term relationships he develops and is thrilled when a patient with irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease improves on the regimen he worked with them to create.

Breite went to Albert Einstein College of Medicine for medical school, followed by a residency at NYU and Bellevue Hospital and a gastroenterology fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Working in city hospitals helped him become resourceful and taught him how to interact with people from different backgrounds.

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