What to Expect During a Colonoscopy in Liverpool A Complete Patient Guide
If you have been told you need a colonoscopy, it is completely normal to feel nervous or unsure about what to expect. Many patients dread the procedure more than they need to — and most are genuinely surprised by how straightforward and comfortable it is.
This guide, written from the clinical perspective of Dr Devesh Kaushal — upper GI and general surgeon in Liverpool — explains every step of the colonoscopy process, from preparation through to results, so you arrive informed and confident.
Appointments Available on Average Within 4-8 weeks Depending on the Urgency Book online 24/7 at drdeveshkaushal.com.au | Call (02) 7906 8312 |
What Is a Colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a procedure in which a thin, flexible tube with a high-definition camera at its tip (a colonoscope) is gently guided through the anus and along the entire large intestine (colon) and into the lower end of the small intestine. It is performed under light IV sedation — you are relaxed and comfortable with no memory of the procedure in the vast majority of cases.
It is the most accurate investigation for the bowel available — detecting polyps, IBD, bowel cancer, diverticular disease, and a wide range of other conditions that no blood test or scan can identify with the same accuracy.
Procedure time | 20 – 45 minutes |
Total time at clinic | 3 – 4 hours including prep and recovery |
Sedation | Light IV sedation — comfortable, no memory |
Painful? | No — vast majority feel no pain |
Driver required? | Yes — responsible adult driver essential |
Before the Procedure: Bowel Preparation
The bowel preparation is the most important part of your colonoscopy — and for most patients, the most challenging. A clean bowel is essential for Dr Kaushal to see the bowel lining clearly. An inadequate preparation may mean the procedure cannot be completed and needs to be repeated.
2 Days Before:
- Follow a liquid diet — milk and soy milk are permitted, but no solid food of any kind
1 Day Before:
- Clear fluids only — black tea, black coffee, clear soup, clear fruit juice, jelly, cordial
- Avoid any red or purple coloured drinks or jelly — these can be mistaken for blood
- Drink water liberally throughout the day
- Take your bowel prep medications as instructed: PICO PREP at 2pm, GLYCOPREP at 6pm, PICO PREP at 10pm
Morning of procedure:
- Water only until your hospital-specified fasting time, then NIL BY MOUTH
- Stop iron supplements at least 5 days before — iron coats the bowel wall
- Blood thinners (Warfarin, Pradaxa, Xarelto, Clopidogrel, Aspirin) — follow Dr Kaushal’s specific instructions
Step-by-Step: What Happens on the Day
1 | Arrival & Admission Arrive at your nominated hospital at the specified time. Nursing staff confirm your identity and procedure. An IV cannula is inserted into your hand or arm. You change into a gown and wait comfortably in the pre-procedure area. |
2 | Pre-Procedure Checks The anaesthetic nurse or anaesthetist reviews your health history and confirms sedation. Monitoring equipment is attached — ECG, blood pressure cuff, and oxygen saturation probe. Final checks are completed before you enter the procedure room. |
3 | Sedation Sedation is given through your IV. Within seconds you feel relaxed and drowsy. Most patients have absolutely no memory of the procedure. You breathe independently throughout — this is not a general anaesthetic — but you are completely comfortable. |
4 | The Colonoscopy — 20 to 45 Minutes Positioned on your left side, Dr Kaushal gently advances the colonoscope through the entire large bowel and into the terminal ileum. The bowel lining is examined on a high-definition monitor in real time. Polyps are removed. Biopsies are taken from areas of concern. Bleeding lesions can be treated at the same sitting. |
5 | Recovery — 30 to 60 Minutes You wake up in the recovery area feeling comfortable. Mild bloating or wind is normal and passes quickly. A light snack and drink are offered once you are fully awake. Most patients are ready to go home within 1 to 2 hours of the procedure. |
6 | Results Discussed Same Day Dr Kaushal speaks with you and your accompanying person to explain what was found. Procedure photographs are reviewed. If biopsies were taken, results are available within 5 to 7 business days. Follow-up is arranged as needed. |
After Your Colonoscopy: What to Expect
Normal after effects:
- Mild bloating and wind as residual air is expelled — resolves within a few hours
- Mild abdominal cramping — settles quickly
- If polyps were removed: small amounts of blood in the stool for 1–2 days is normal
- Fatigue from sedation — rest for the remainder of the day
You cannot do the following for 24 hours after sedation:
- Drive or operate machinery
- Make important legal or financial decisions
- Drink alcohol
- Return to work on the same day
Seek urgent medical attention if you experience: • Severe abdominal pain that is worsening • Heavy or persistent rectal bleeding • Fever above 38.5 degrees Celsius • Vomiting that will not settle Present to your nearest emergency department immediately. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be awake during the colonoscopy?
No. Light IV sedation means you are drowsy and comfortable with no awareness of the procedure. The vast majority of patients have no memory of it whatsoever. A small number of patients choose to remain unsedated — this is possible but most find sedation makes the experience far more comfortable.
How long does bowel prep take?
Preparation starts 2 days before your procedure. The bowel prep medications are taken the afternoon and evening before. Expect to spend much of the day before close to a toilet — plan accordingly and stay at home.
Is colonoscopy covered by Medicare?
if colonoscopy in public it is covered by medicare and if in private it is covered by health fund.
How soon can I get a colonoscopy in Liverpool?
Appointments with Dr Kaushal are available on average within 4-8 weeks Depending on the Urgency. For urgent referrals — such as rectal bleeding or a positive FOBT result — please call directly so the team can prioritise your booking. Book online at drdeveshkaushal.com.au.
Book Your Colonoscopy in Liverpool
Dr Devesh Kaushal provides expert, patient-centred colonoscopy care in Liverpool and South Western Sydney. If you have been referred for a colonoscopy or have bowel symptoms that need investigation — contact the rooms today.
Contact Dr Devesh Kaushal Liverpool Consulting Rooms Phone: (02) 7906 8312 Email: [email protected] Book Online: drdeveshkaushal.com.au Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Operating at: Sydney Southwest Private Hospital Liverpool | Campbelltown Public Hospital | Campbelltown Private Hospital | The George Hospital Appointments available on average within 4 weeks | Book online 24/7 | Medicare & Private Health Insurance Accepted |