This sub has helped me go through my first colonoscopy yesterday so wanted to give back by sharing an account of my personal experience while it’s still fresh in mind. Note that this took place in the Bay Area (California USA) so expect variations if you’re in a different state or country.

Preparation Day (Evening to Night): - Retired to bed early at 9:40 pm on Monday due to fatigue from lack of solid food. - Awoken at 11:25 pm by a bathroom urgency, followed by difficulty sleeping.

Preparation Day (Early Morning): - Woke up at precisely 2:00 am to complete the 2L Gavilyte-C solution. - Opting for comfort, wore cotton underwear and placed a large plastic sheet beneath the mattress liner as a precaution. - Noticed slight dampness in the underwear upon waking, later confirmed to be dry – likely body heat evaporation. - While waiting between the 10-minute required intervals for Gavilyte-C consumption, started writing about the experience. - Packed a change of clothes in case of any accidents during travel to the center. - Managed to fall asleep again, waking up at 6:50 am.

Arrival and Check-In: - Realized the tight timeframe for a 7:30 am arrival, leading to a hurried morning routine. - Caught bus to reach center by 7:20 am, finding the center already open (operational hours began at 6:00 am).

Waiting Area: - Light activity observed in the reception area, with staff working and patients present. - Completed necessary paperwork before being directed to a secondary waiting area.

Pre-Procedure: - A nurse escorted to the recovery area – the starting point for preparation, not the actual colonoscopy. - The nurse requested a change of clothing to assigned gown and lay down position on the bed. Was given a warm blanket. - A period of silence ensued, punctuated by conversations from the other side of a curtain. Patient ages were confirmed (1969, 1952, 1972), I might be the youngest. - Some silence triggered feelings of loneliness, with irrational thoughts about potential cancer diagnoses and mortality. These anxieties might be due to the lack of phone access and the resulting introspection.

Meeting the Medical Team: - The anesthesiologist introduced himself and explained the procedure. - A nurse came by and verified my personal information and procedure, offering another warm blanket due to the chilly room. - Dr. joined, introducing himself and confirming the procedure.

Transfer to Procedure Room: - Nurse returned to wheel me to the operating room. The experience of being wheeled on a bed despite full mobility felt strange. - Likened the feeling of being moved into the operating room to scenes from movies, flashes of ceiling lights as I was wheeled through the corridor. - The familiar faces of the medical team once in the room provided a sense of reassurance upon entering the procedure room.

Procedure Confirmation: - Dr. reconfirmed details by asking for my name and procedure verification (colonoscopy). - Stringent protocols were noted, ensuring the correct procedure is performed on the right patient.

Anesthesia and Procedure: - The anesthesiologist inquired about my well-being and fitness level. A cryptic code ("1:1") was used to indicate the propofol dosage, suggesting a standard amount due to the absence of complications. - The anesthetist positioned me for the procedure, with the exposed butt facing the doctor. Laid on my left side. - The exact timing of sedation administration is unclear, but it likely occurred around this point. Dr. initiated a conversation about my hobbies. - This conversation marked the last memory before sedation took effect.

Recovery: - I was awakened by a nurse in a groggy state. - The nurse confirmed a successful procedure with no polyps found and inquired about my well-being. I shared feeling slightly drowsy and off-balance.

Post-Procedure: - The nurse observed my dressing up as required by the center. A bit awkward a stranger was looking at me putting on my underwear. - Dr. arrived to explain the successful procedure and advised a follow-up appointment in 10 years.

Departure: - Though still slightly disoriented, I left the recovery area a bit groggy but able to walk. - They contacted my friend to pick me up. Now feeling normal, it almost seemed like nothing went inside me!