I will most likely speak to you in the Recovery Room, unless you’re ready and anxious to leave before I see you. I will have written down for you on the post-procedure instruction sheet the findings of the exam(s) and recommendations including diet, follow-up and the restarting of any medications like Aspirin, Plavix and/or Coumadin.
Remember, you will need to be discharged to a “responsible person” from recovery room. This does not include a taxi. This is a state regulation and you will be asked prior to the exam to indicate the name of the individual picking you up.
Colonoscopy
If you’ve had an Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy at the same time, there are no other instructions for that exam.
If any polyps that were removed required “electrocautery” for removal, it will so indicate where the polyp(s) were on your post-procedure instruction sheet. Be aware there is a very small but finite chance such a polyp site could bleed in the next 7-10 days and it is important for us to know where such a polyp was located. It will be in my records, of course, but other physicians may need to know if you are elsewhere when this occurs.
If you have been sedated, you will not be able to drive until the following day. If your job does not require physical work, you may return to work that day if you desire. If you plan to do so, please let me know after the procedure.
Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
There will likely be no restrictions on your diet after the procedure.
If you have been sedated, you will not be able to drive until the following day. If your job does not require physical work, you may return to work that day if you desire. If you plan to do so, please let me know after the procedure.