top of page

Colonoscopy Doctor

When Do You Need to See a Colonoscopy Doctor?

Colonoscopies are needed for two reasons: To diagnose a problem that has presented itself, and for routine testing to ensure that no problems are sneaking up on you. Both of these are essentials, though obviously, you'll feel more urgency if something is obviously already wrong.
                         
When there is a clear problem, you'll want to get into a colonoscopy doctor right away. However, resist the urge to take whoever has an opening first, if at all possible. Unless that opening just arose due to a cancellation, a doctor who isn't booked enough might not be the best one to see. Just like with other appointment-based services, the best ones have their slots fill up fast. That said, when there's a problem, you won't want to wait for the most-booked one either. Choose one that's somewhere in the middle.
                         
If you're looking for a colonoscopy procedure as a routine matter, you have much more leeway if you plan ahead. It's no problem if a doctor is booked out for months in advance if you, too, can wait that long for an opening. Fortunately, routine colonoscopies are recommended on a set schedule for most people, so you can actually know decades in advance when you should go in. While booking that early isn't realistic, you certainly can do it a year beforehand. This gives you your choice of doctors as long as your insurance covers the one you want.
                         
If it's your first time, you probably wonder what the colonoscopy procedure is like. In most cases these days, you'll be sedated for the actual action. This can involve medicine that just relaxes you, but most patients prefer to be outright unconscious instead. Medicines that create the feeling of unconsciousness, without the deep sedation of general anesthetics, are now common and are far less risky than "generals."
                         
Because of this, the biggest part of getting a colonoscopy near me usually isn't the procedure itself. Instead, it's the fact that you'll have to purge yourself beforehand so the camera can get a good view. This takes a couple of days, during which you can only eat or drink clear substances. Which laxative you'll use for the purging depends on what your colonoscopy doctor prescribes.
                         
If you're seeking a colonoscopy near me to help diagnose a digestive system issue, you'll likely get the results fairly soon. In emergency cases, it may only be a few hours. However, you should expect it to take longer for routine tests due to the lack of obvious urgency. Either way, it shouldn't be too long before you get the results and can then either relax or take action accordingly.

bottom of page