Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I have red Jell-O® or red liquids?
Red liquids are artificially colored and contain a red dye that coats the lining of your intestinal tract and looks like blood. It does not clear through your intestinal tract easily. The physician performing your examination may have difficulty seeing the gastrointestinal mucosa through the red dye. Please see the Diet Instructions for appropriate choices.
Is chicken noodle soup okay on a clear liquid diet?
No. The broth is cloudy and the soup contains solid chicken particles and noodles. Canned chicken broth or chicken bouillon mixed with hot water is an appropriate choice. Click the following link for more Diet Information .
What can I eat on a low fiber diet?
Click the following link for Diet Information .
Why do I need a driver? Can I take a taxi home?
You will be given intravenous sedative medications that do not wear off for several hours after the procedure. You must have a responsible person to either drive you home or accompany you home in a taxi. Taxi drivers are not responsible for your safety or for helping you into your home. Your safety and the safety of others is our number one priority. Arriving on the day of your procedure without a responsible person to drive you home or accompany you in a taxi will require us to reschedule your procedure.
Can I work the day before my procedure and before I start the bowel prep?
Yes. Please read the instructions carefully when you receive them to give yourself enough time for the preparation.
When can I expect results? And how will I receive them?
If you had any polyps removed or biopsies taken, the physician will notify you of the results in 7-10 business days. You will most likely receive a letter in the mail with these results. If it has been more than two weeks since your procedure and you haven’t received your results, please call GI Associates of NH at 603-228-1763.
How often do I need to have a colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy screenings are recommended every 10 years. However, if you have a personal or family history that warrants closer surveillance it is recommended that you have a colonoscopy more often than every 10 years.
I don’t weigh much, do I still need to drink all the prep?
Yes, all colons are approximately the same length (about 5 feet) regardless of your size.
How long will I be there for? How long will the procedure take?
You will be here with us for approximately 2 to 4 hours. The procedure itself is usually between 5-20 minutes, this can vary depending on how difficult the procedure is. You are typically here with us for 2 to 4 hours to allow time for your registration, review of your medical history, getting you ready for the procedure, and then waking up from the sedation.
Can I have alcohol?
Although it is not recommended, it is a clear liquid. We ask that you limit the amount of alcohol if you do drink.
How do you clean your scopes?
The Concord Endoscopy Center follows the recommendations by Olympus America, the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) for high level disinfection.
The Olympus scopes we use are manually cleaned and then put into an automated processing system (Olympus America INC® OER-Pro). An Acecide®-C High-Level Disinfectant and Sterilant is used as a cleaning agent for the scopes.
Why type of sedation do you use?
At the Concord Endoscopy Center we mostly use conscious sedation, but some patients require a deeper sedation using Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC). Conscious sedation is achieved by the administration of medications to obtund, dull, or reduce the awareness of surroundings and/or the perception of pain. This occurs without the loss of protective reflexes. A state of conscious sedation is generally obtained when there is slurred speech but the patient is arousable and able to appropriately respond to physical stimulation and verbal commands.
What is the difference between Sedation and Anesthesia?
Conscious sedation is achieved by the administration of medications to obtund, dull, or reduce the awareness of surroundings and/or the perception of pain. This occurs without the loss of protective reflexes. A state of moderate sedation is generally obtained when there is slurred speech but the patient is arousable and able to appropriately respond to physical stimulation and verbal commands.
Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) is administered by an anesthesiologist. It is a medically controlled state of depressed consciousness or unconsciousness from which the patient is not easily aroused. It may be accompanied by a partial or complete loss of protective reflexes, and includes the inability to purposefully respond to physical stimulation or verbal commands.
Why do I need to have my procedure at Concord Hospital? Why can’t I have it done at Concord Endoscopy Center?
This could be for a couple of reasons. Some health insurances require procedures to be done at Concord Hospital, while others are suitable with procedures being done at Concord Endoscopy Center.
Another reason could be if you have complicated medical conditions. Concord Endoscopy Center is licensed to perform procedures only on patients that have limited medical conditions.
What is the difference between the FIT and Cologuard tests? Why is a colonoscopy more beneficial?
According to the American Cancer Society, Cologuard is a stool DNA test that checks for signs of cancer or pre- cancerous growth as well as checking for blood in the stool. The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) checks for hidden blood in the stool, which can be an early sign of cancer. If these tests shows possible cancer or pre-cancer, you would then need to have colonoscopy to confirm it and possibly remove any polyps.
The FIT and Cologuard tests are not for everybody. It’s only for people with an average risk for colon or rectal cancer. If you have a personal history of pre-cancerous polyps, colon or rectal cancer, or some other colon problems you should talk to your doctor. Regular screening is one of the most powerful weapons for preventing colon cancer. If polyps are found during a colonoscopy, they can usually be removed before they have the chance to turn into cancer. Testing can also result in finding cancer early, when it’s smaller, easier to treat, and more likely to be curable.
What are the ingredients in the prep? I might be allergic.
Please refer to the packaging of the prep. There is a list of ingredients enclosed.
What do I do if I can’t keep the prep down?
Please call GI Associates of NH at 603-228-1763 if you are having any issues with the prep. If it is after hours, you can call that number and speak to the on-call physician.
What type of scopes do you use?
We use Olympus scopes. The Olympus brand is supported by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).