The preparation for the colonoscopy wasn’t too bad. A few laxative pills. Two 32-ounce “cocktails” and I was more than ready. A 9:30 check-in time turned into a 10:45 walk back to the get-ready area, and the procedure started at 11:00.
Once wheeled into the room and correctly positioned on the bed, I remember saying “knock me out.” The nurse put a plastic piece in my mouth (to allow the doctor to insert the tube to perform an endoscopy) and the anesthesiologist said “we’ll give you some drugs now.” Seemingly a minute later, I was back in the recovery area.
Oh, that Michael-Jackson-drug is amazing. Ninety minutes had gone by and I didn’t know anything. Days later, I wonder what would have happened had there been an earthquake? Or some other disaster? Do the doctors and nurses ever have to go to the bathroom while they’re in the middle of a procedure?
I’ve had two colonoscopies in the past. A standout memory is the warm blanket they put on you when you’re in recovery. Toasty, comforting. Well, this particular surgery center doesn’t provide warm blankets! I mentioned it to the nurse as she was wheeling me out to Leslie’s car, and she mentioned that several patients have lamented the same thing. She suggested I mention it on the surgery form, which I promptly completed when I got home.
The after-procedure instructions carefully tell patients to take it easy, not to lift anything heavy or work out for two weeks (trust me!), and not to make any important decisions until the anesthesia is completely out of your system. I hope that filling out the questionnaire wasn’t too taxing on my drug-addled brain.
I’m back at work after a relaxing weekend (with no working out or lifting at all!). I’m sure I’ll have a clean bill-of-health after getting the pathology report and following up with the gastroenterologist in two weeks. Until then, it’s time to work on that high-fiber diet.