Recovering after a colonoscopy: what to expect

If you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, you might need a colonoscopy to help your doctors understand what’s happening inside your bowel. You might feel nervous before the procedure, but you may also wonder what happens afterwards.

Will your tummy hurt? Will you feel tired? Can you eat normally or go back to school the next day?

The good news is that most people recover from a colonoscopy quite quickly. Let’s look at what you might experience afterwards and how to look after yourself.

😴 Feeling sleepy after your colonoscopy

If you had sedation or a general anaesthetic during your colonoscopy, you might feel sleepy, dizzy, or a little confused when you first wake up.

You may spend some time resting in a recovery area while the healthcare team checks that you're feeling okay.

It's normal to feel tired for the rest of the day, even if you think you're ready to get back to your usual activities.

If you had sedation, you'll need a responsible adult to take you home and stay with you for the period recommended by your hospital. You shouldn't drive, cycle, or do anything that requires you to be fully alert until you've recovered and followed your team's instructions.

💨 Why is my tummy bloated?

During a colonoscopy, your doctor puts a small amount of gas into your bowel to help them see the inside more clearly.

Some of this gas can stay in your bowel afterwards, making your tummy feel bloated or crampy. You might also find that you need to pass wind more often than usual.

This is common and usually improves as the gas passes.

You might find it helpful to:

• Walk around gently when you're allowed to.

• Change position to help the gas move.

• Rest somewhere comfortable.

• Use a warm pack on your tummy if your healthcare team says it's okay.

Don't feel embarrassed about passing wind. It's a normal part of recovering from a colonoscopy!

🩹 Will my tummy hurt afterwards?

You might have mild tummy cramps, bloating, or discomfort for a short time after your procedure.

If your doctor took small tissue samples, called biopsies, or removed a polyp, you might have some additional instructions about what to expect.

Your discomfort should generally improve rather than get worse.

Tell a parent, carer, or healthcare professional straight away if you develop severe or worsening tummy pain, a very swollen tummy, or persistent vomiting. These symptoms aren't something to ignore after a colonoscopy.

🩸 Is it normal to see blood when I go to the toilet?

If your doctor took biopsies or removed a polyp, you might notice a small amount of blood when you go to the toilet.

However, bleeding isn't something everyone experiences, and you shouldn't assume that any bleeding is normal.

Tell your parent or carer and contact your healthcare team if you notice blood in your poo after your procedure.

Get urgent medical attention if you have heavy or ongoing bleeding, pass large blood clots, feel faint, or develop severe abdominal pain.

Your hospital will explain what to look out for based on the procedure you had.

🥪 When can I eat and drink again?

You can usually start drinking and eating once you're fully awake and your healthcare team says it's okay.

You might feel hungry after your colonoscopy, especially if you had to avoid food for several hours beforehand.

You can often return to your usual diet, but you may prefer to start with something light if your tummy feels unsettled.

For example, you might choose toast, soup, yoghurt, or another food you normally tolerate well.

If you have IBD, you don't need to follow a special diet just because you've had a colonoscopy unless your healthcare team gives you different instructions.

Drinking fluids is also important, particularly if you had bowel preparation that caused lots of diarrhoea before the procedure.

🚽 What will happen when I go to the toilet?

Before a colonoscopy, you usually need to take bowel preparation to empty your bowel. This can cause frequent, watery bowel movements.

After the procedure, your bowel movements might take a little while to return to normal.

You may notice:

• Loose or watery poo for a short time.

• Changes in how often you go to the toilet.

• Some bloating or wind.

• A temporary change in your usual bowel routine.

If you have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, your bowel habits may already be unpredictable. Your healthcare team can help you understand what is expected after your procedure and what might be related to your IBD.

Contact your healthcare team if you cannot keep fluids down, feel very dizzy, or have concerns about dehydration.

🏫 Can I go back to school the next day?

Many people can return to their usual routine the following day, but it depends on how they feel and whether they had sedation or any additional procedures.

If you had sedation, follow the hospital's instructions about when you can return to school and other activities. You may need to rest for the remainder of the day.

You might also need extra time to recover if you were already feeling unwell because of your IBD.

Listen to your body. If you're exhausted or uncomfortable, it's okay to take more time to rest.

📝 When will I get my results?

Your doctor may be able to tell you some of their findings soon after your colonoscopy, once you're awake enough to understand the information.

However, if they took biopsies, those samples need to be examined in a laboratory. The results can take days or sometimes longer to come back.

Your IBD team will explain how and when you'll receive your results and whether you need another appointment.

It's okay to feel impatient while you wait. If you're worried or don't understand what happens next, ask your parent, carer, or healthcare team for help.

🚨 When should I get medical help?

Most people recover without any serious problems, but it's important to know when to ask for help.

Contact your healthcare team urgently or seek emergency medical care if you experience:

• Severe or worsening tummy pain.

• A very swollen or hard tummy.

• Heavy or ongoing bleeding from your bowel.

• Repeated vomiting.

• Fever or chills.

• Difficulty breathing, chest pain, or fainting.

If something doesn't feel right, don't ignore it just because you've recently had a colonoscopy. Your healthcare team would rather you ask than worry at home.

💙 Remember, it's okay to take it easy

Having a colonoscopy can be tiring, especially when you're already managing Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

You might feel hungry, sleepy, bloated, or simply ready to relax at home. These feelings are common, and most people feel much better within a day or so.

Give yourself time to rest, drink fluids as advised, and follow the instructions from your hospital.

You don't have to bounce straight back to normal. If you're worried about how you're feeling, ask for help. Your healthcare team is there to make sure you recover safely.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Everyone recovers differently after a colonoscopy, particularly if they have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Always follow the instructions provided by your healthcare team and contact them if you have concerns about your recovery. Seek urgent medical attention if you experience severe pain, heavy bleeding, or other serious symptoms.