What to Expect after Your Colonoscopy

What to expect when you wake up 

After your colonoscopy is finished, you’ll wake up in a special recovery area called the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). This is a quiet, comfortable place where nurses watch over patients as they wake up from anesthesia. 

When you first wake up, you might feel: 

• Sleepy and groggy 
• Confused or foggy 
• A bit dizzy 
• Tired 

These feelings are normal and will go away within a few hours. Your body is just waking up from the sedation that helped you stay calm during the procedure. You will be required to have a responsible adult available to help you get home. You cannot go home alone or take care of yourself right after the procedure.  

Post-colonoscopy instructions

Your healthcare team will provide you with aftercare instructions before you leave the facility. These instructions will generally include information on eating and drinking after your colonoscopy, returning to normal activities, resuming medications, and when to call your healthcare team. Note that different facilities may have slight differences in their instructions. Make sure you follow the instructions given to you by your healthcare team.   

Eating and drinking

You’ll need to be careful about what you eat and drink after your colonoscopy. Your stomach needs time to settle. Your healthcare team and anesthesia professional, such as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), will give you specific instructions about what to eat and drink after your procedure. These instructions will generally include:   

Right after the procedure: 

• Start with clear liquids only. These are drinks you can see through, like water, apple juice, or broth. 
• Drink slowly and in small amounts. 
• Be sure to follow all post-procedure instructions. 

After a few hours: 

• You can eat soft, easy-to-digest foods including crackers, toast, yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, or soup. 
• Avoid spicy, greasy, or heavy foods for the rest of the day. 

Tips to prevent an upset stomach: 

• Eat small amounts of food. 
• Chew your food well. 
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day. 
• Avoid sugary drinks and caffeine for a few hours. 
• Learn about Nausea & Vomiting after anesthesia.

Returning to normal activities

You’ll need to take it easy for the rest of the day. Your body just went through a medical procedure, and it needs time to recover. 

What you should do: 

• Rest at home for the day. 
• Take naps if you feel tired. 
• Watch TV, read, or do quiet activities. 

When you can go back to work and exercise:  

• Most people feel ready to go back to work or school the next day. 
• Wait until the next day to play sports or do hard exercise. 
• Avoid running, jumping, or playing contact sports for 24 hours. 

If possible, have a responsible adult at home to help you recover. This may include having them help with preparing meals, assisting with household tasks, and helping you with your recovery instructions. 

Normal bowel movements should return within a few days. You may experience loose or delayed stools after a colonoscopy. If you have any concerns, notify your healthcare team. 

Medications

Your healthcare team will walk through resuming and taking medications for pain. Here are guidelines on what you can take and what to avoid:

• If you are experiencing pain, you can talk with your healthcare team and anesthesia professional about pain control options. For most people, acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is effective at managing post-colonoscopy pain.
• Avoid NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) medications like ibuprofen (Advil®) and naproxen (Aleve®) since these can lead to stomach upset and bleeding.
• Before you leave the facility, you will review your current list of medications with your healthcare team. They will let you know when you can resume taking medication.
• Do NOT take aspirin or blood-thinning medicines unless your doctor tells you it’s okay.
• Learn more about Pain Medications.

When to call your healthcare team

Most people recover just fine after a colonoscopy. However, call your healthcare team right away if you have any of these warning signs: 

• Severe abdominal pain (pain that is very bad and doesn’t improve with rest) 
• Vomiting or inability to keep food/liquids down 
• Fever (temperature above 100.4°F or 38°C) 
• Unusual bleeding (blood in your stool or dark, tarry stools) 
• Difficulty breathing (trouble catching your breath) 
• Chest pain 
• Dizziness that doesn’t go away 
• Swelling in your belly 

If you feel that something is wrong, do not hesitate to call your healthcare team, 911, or go straight to the emergency room. 

Remember, you’ve just had an important medical procedure. Your body needs rest and care to recover properly. Follow these instructions, listen to your body, and don’t hesitate to ask questions or call your healthcare team if you’re worried about anything.