human
I'm a little nervous about my first colonoscopy. What can I expect?
assistant
You should expect to be given a laxative the night before your procedure and instructed to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. The morning of your procedure, you will be asked to arrive at least 30 minutes early. You may also need to fast for 8 hours prior to the test. Once in the exam room, the doctor or nurse will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you have. After that, you'll lie down on an examination table and the doctor will insert the scope into your rectum. The doctor will then move the scope up and down while examining the lining of your colon. During this time, you may feel some discomfort, but it is usually minimal. At the end of the procedure, the doctor will remove the scope and discuss the results with you.