Is a colonoscopy painful? What should I expect from the prep and the exam?

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The day of the exam

You receive sedation through an IV, and a thin flexible camera is passed through the colon. Polyps can be removed during the same exam. The procedure itself is fairly quick, but plan on spending a few hours at the facility for check-in and recovery. Afterward you may feel some gas or bloating. Because of the sedation, you need an adult to drive you home and should not drive for the rest of the day.

The prep

Our office gives you written step-by-step 1-day or 2-day prep instructions. In general:

• A low-fiber diet for a few days before, if your instructions say so
• Clear liquids the day before: water, clear broth, apple juice, clear sports drinks, black coffee or tea without cream, plain gelatin
• Nothing red, blue or purple
• Drink the full prep as directed; your stool should be clear or light yellow by the morning of the exam
• Check which medications to pause, especially blood thinners, diabetes medicines and weight-loss injections

Colonoscopy prep kits are available for purchase at our office.

Is it safe?

Colonoscopy is a common and generally safe procedure. General risks include bleeding after polyp removal, reactions to sedation and, rarely, a tear in the colon wall.

When to see a surgeon

• You are due for screening or have symptoms such as bleeding or a change in bowel habits
• A previous prep did not work well; tell us so we can adjust your plan

Get urgent care: After a colonoscopy, call or seek care for severe belly pain, fever, or more than a small amount of bleeding.

Learn more: Approved clear liquids list · Colonoscopy & EGD in Port Charlotte

Talk with Dr. Tufts

Dr. Tufts is a minimally invasive and endoscopic general surgeon. To have your symptoms evaluated or talk through your options, call (941) 391-5102 to schedule a visit at Charlotte Harbor Surgical, 4245 Kings Hwy, Unit A, Port Charlotte, FL 33980. We see patients from Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, North Port, Englewood, Cape Coral and North Fort Myers and across Southwest Florida.

Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Matthew Tufts, MD, FACS, a board-certified minimally invasive and endoscopic general surgeon in Port Charlotte, FL. Last reviewed 2026-11-11.

This page is general information, not medical advice. Every patient is different. Dr. Tufts will review your history, exam and test results with you and explain the options, benefits and risks that apply to you.