For many people, the word ‘colonoscopy‘ is enough to make them put off the appointment for months — or avoid it altogether. The preparation sounds unpleasant. The procedure sounds uncomfortable. And there is always the anxiety of not knowing what might be found.
But here is what most people who have actually been through a colonoscopy will tell you: it was nowhere near as bad as they expected. The preparation is the hardest part — and even that is manageable. The procedure itself, done under sedation, is something most patients have almost no memory of.
This article is a complete, chronological walkthrough of what a colonoscopy in Lagos actually involves — from the preparation at home to the day of the procedure to going home afterwards. No surprises, no vague reassurances — just a clear picture of what to expect.
Why Colonoscopy Matters
Before getting into the practical detail, it is worth understanding why colonoscopy is recommended so frequently. It is the only investigation that can simultaneously examine the entire large intestine, identify polyps, and remove them before they develop into colorectal cancer — all in a single procedure. A colonoscopy that finds and removes polyps does not just detect a risk. It eliminates it.
In Lagos and across Nigeria, colorectal cancer is a growing health concern — and one that is almost entirely preventable with timely screening. The single biggest barrier to screening in Nigeria is not access to the procedure. It is the discomfort of not knowing what to expect. This article is intended to remove that barrier.
Phase 1: Preparation (The Days Before)
Why Preparation Matters So Much
Bowel preparation is arguably the most important factor in whether a colonoscopy is successful. If the colon is not thoroughly cleaned, residual stool can hide polyps and lesions — meaning the entire investigation may need to be repeated. A well-prepared patient directly leads to a better, more complete examination.
3 to 5 Days Before: Low-Fibre Diet
You will be asked to switch to a low-fibre (low-residue) diet. This means avoiding wholegrains, raw vegetables, fruits with seeds or skins, nuts, beans, and legumes — foods that leave significant residue in the colon. You can continue to eat white rice, white bread, eggs, fish, chicken, and well-cooked vegetables without skins. The goal is to reduce the volume of stool that needs to be cleared.
The Day Before: Clear Liquids Only
The day before your colonoscopy, you move to a clear liquid diet: water, clear broths, strained juices (no pulp), black tea or coffee without milk, and clear carbonated drinks. You should drink generously throughout the day to stay well hydrated. No solid food is permitted from this point.
The Preparation Solution
At some point during the day before (or sometimes in a split dose — partly the evening before and partly the morning of the procedure), you will take a prescribed bowel preparation solution. This is a laxative that works by drawing fluid into the bowel and producing a series of watery bowel motions that clear the colon.
Most patients find this the least comfortable part of the process. The key is to take it slowly but steadily as instructed, stay close to a toilet, and keep drinking additional clear fluids to replace what you are losing. The preparation is complete when the bowel motions become clear or pale yellow with no solid material.
A split-dose regimen — where you take half the preparation the evening before and the other half 4 to 6 hours before your appointment — is associated with better colon cleansing and is the approach we recommend at Redus.
Medications
Review your medications with your gastroenterologist before the procedure. Blood-thinning medications (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, rivaroxaban) may need to be temporarily paused if polypectomy is planned. Iron supplements should be stopped at least 5 days beforehand as they coat the bowel lining and reduce visibility. Diabetes medications will need adjustment around the fasting period — your care team will advise.
Phase 2: The Procedure Day at Redus
Arriving at Redus Center for Digestive Health
Our centre is located in Lekki Phase 1, easily accessible from Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Ajah, and surrounding areas. When you arrive, our nursing team will greet you, confirm your preparation was adequate, check your vital signs, and review your consent. An intravenous cannula is placed in your arm for the administration of sedation and any medications needed during the procedure.
Sedation
Colonoscopy at Redus is performed under conscious sedation — a combination of a sedative (most commonly midazolam) and an analgesic (most commonly fentanyl) given through the IV. The sedation makes you deeply relaxed and drowsy within moments. Most patients are technically conscious during the procedure but have almost no memory of it. Your oxygen levels, heart rate, and blood pressure are monitored continuously throughout.
In selected cases, deeper propofol-based sedation may be recommended. Your care team will discuss the most appropriate option for your individual situation.
The Procedure
You will be positioned lying on your left side, knees gently drawn towards your chest. The colonoscopist will perform a brief external examination before gently introducing the colonoscope through the anus and advancing it progressively through the rectum and the full length of the colon to the caecum — the junction with the small intestine in the lower right abdomen.
Small amounts of air or carbon dioxide are used to gently inflate the bowel and improve visibility. The endoscopist systematically examines each section of the colon as the scope is slowly withdrawn. It is during withdrawal — not insertion — that most polyps and abnormalities are identified. Quality guidelines recommend a minimum withdrawal time of 6 minutes to ensure thorough inspection.
If a polyp is found, it is usually removed immediately — using a wire snare, biopsy forceps, or specialised resection technique depending on its size and shape. Biopsies are taken from any inflamed, suspicious, or abnormal-looking areas. Everything is recorded digitally.
How Long Does It Take?
A diagnostic colonoscopy without polypectomy takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes. If polyps are found and removed, the procedure may take 45 to 90 minutes. Plan to be at Redus for approximately 3 to 4 hours in total, including preparation and recovery.
Phase 3: After the Procedure
Recovery at Redus
After the colonoscopy, you will be moved to our recovery area where nursing staff monitor you as the sedation wears off — typically 30 to 60 minutes. You may feel bloated or gassy from the air used during the procedure. This is entirely normal and resolves quickly with gentle walking. Most patients feel alert and comfortable within an hour.
Going Home
You will need to be collected by a responsible adult — you cannot drive, take a taxi alone, or operate machinery for the remainder of the day due to the residual effects of sedation. Please arrange this before your appointment day. You should plan to rest at home for the rest of the day.
Eating and Drinking
Most patients can return to normal eating on the same day after a diagnostic colonoscopy. If polyps were removed, your doctor may recommend starting with light, soft foods for the first 24 hours. You should avoid alcohol for the remainder of the procedure day.
Your Results
Your gastroenterologist will share their immediate endoscopic findings with you — or with your accompanying adult — shortly after the procedure. Any polyps removed are sent to the pathology laboratory; results are typically available within 5 to 7 working days. A follow-up appointment or phone consultation will be arranged to discuss these results and any recommended next steps or surveillance schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a colonoscopy in Lagos painful?
Under sedation, colonoscopy is not painful. You may feel some pressure or mild cramping as the scope navigates the bends of the colon — this is well tolerated under sedation and most patients have no memory of it. Bloating after the procedure is common but resolves quickly.
Do I have to drink all the preparation solution?
Yes — it is important to take the full preparation as directed. Incomplete preparation means incomplete cleansing, which means a less effective colonoscopy. If you are struggling with the preparation, contact your care team at Redus for advice before your procedure day.
What if a polyp is found?
If a polyp is found during your colonoscopy, the gastroenterologist will remove it during the same procedure in most cases. The removed tissue is sent to a pathologist. At your follow-up appointment, you will receive the pathology results and a recommendation for future surveillance — typically in 3 to 5 years, depending on the size and type of polyp found.
Is colonoscopy available on weekends at Redus?
Please contact our team directly for information on appointment availability, including weekend slots.
How do I book a colonoscopy at Redus in Lekki?
Call us on +234 704 084 7895 or book through our website at redushealth.com. Our team will arrange your consultation and provide your written preparation instructions well ahead of your procedure date.
| Ready to book your colonoscopy in Lagos? Contact Redus Center for Digestive Health in Lekki Phase 1. Call +234 704 084 7895 or visit redushealth.com. Early detection saves lives. |