Recovery guide
After your procedure — day-by-day recovery
Pick your procedure below to see what to expect, when to eat, when to resume activity, and the warning signs that mean call the clinic. Send the instructions to yourself on WhatsApp so you have them.
Most patients feel back to normal within 24 hours. The first day is about resting off the sedation; the next 2–3 days about easing back into a regular diet.
Recovery timeline
Stay in recovery — do not drive
First 2 hours
You will be drowsy from the sedation. Stay in the recovery area until the nurse confirms your vital signs are stable and you can walk steadily. Do not drive, operate machinery, or sign legal documents for 24 hours. A family member should drive you home.
Start with light fluids
First 4 hours
Begin with water, clear juice, or weak tea. If those go down comfortably, move on to soup, yoghurt, or toast. Gas and mild bloating are normal — walking around helps. Avoid carbonated drinks for the first day.
Eat a normal but light dinner
Same day evening
You can eat a normal dinner — soup, rice, chicken, eggs, fruit. Avoid heavy fried foods, alcohol, and large meals tonight. Drink plenty of water to rehydrate after the prep.
Resume normal activities and diet
Day 1 (next day)
Most patients return to work the next day. You can eat anything. Mild bloating or one or two loose bowel movements are normal — this should settle within 24 hours. Light exercise (walking) is fine; avoid heavy gym workouts for 24 hours after sedation.
Get your biopsy results
Within 1–2 weeks
If biopsies were taken, results are usually ready in 1–2 weeks. The clinic will call you, or you can call us. Always book a follow-up appointment to discuss the results — even if everything was normal, knowing your next screening interval is important.
Red flags — call the clinic right away
Heavy or persistent rectal bleeding
Small streaks of blood after a polypectomy are normal. Filling the toilet bowl, bright red blood with clots, or bleeding that lasts more than 48 hours is not — call the clinic or go to emergency.
Severe abdominal pain or rigid abdomen
Mild cramps and gas are normal. Severe, persistent pain — especially with a hard, tender abdomen, fever, or vomiting — is rare but serious (possible perforation). Go to emergency immediately.
Fever above 38°C
Any fever within the first 7 days after colonoscopy should be reported. It may be unrelated, but in the context of a recent procedure it needs evaluation.
Unable to keep fluids down for >12 hours
Persistent vomiting after sedation is unusual and dehydrating. Call the clinic or attend emergency for IV fluids if needed.
Book your follow-up
Discuss your results and treatment plan — best within 1–2 weeks of your procedure.
Book follow-up appointment