To find out more about your flexible sigmoidoscopy, use the purple button below.

About your flexible sigmoidoscopy

After your procedure

Nursing staff will tick the boxes which are relevant to you.

Tick if relevant Instructions
 

We have given you sedation which may make you feel sleepy and forgetful.

For 24 hours following your procedure do not drive, operate machinery (including kettles and cookers), drink alcohol, sign legal documents.

You must have a responsible adult with you during this 24 hour period.
 

Allow 24 hours to recover before you return to work.
  We have given you Entonox (a type of medical gas). Its effects wear off within 1 hour. You should be able to drive after 1 hour.

Side-effects

  • It is normal to experience some abdominal (tummy) discomfort after the procedure. This should wear off within 24 hours. It will help if you pass (fart out) the air which we blew into your bowel during your procedure.
  • After a biopsy or a removal of a polyp, it is normal to pass a small amount of blood from your back passage (anus), or experience some smearing in your underwear.

Everyday activities

  • You can eat and drink normally after your procedure.
  • Most people can resume everyday activities after 24 hours.

When to seek urgent medical care

Make an urgent GP appointment or go to your nearest Emergency Department (A&E) if you experience any of the following during the 48 hours after your procedure:

  • severe tummy (abdominal) pain which gets worse and does not stop
  • increasing abdominal swelling or hardness
  • heavy bleeding or passing blood clots from your back passage (anus).

Follow-up

Nursing staff will tick the boxes which are relevant to your endoscopy report.

Tick if relevant  
 

You will need to have this procedure again.

We will make an appointment for you in approximately _________ months __________ years.
  We have taken biopsies (samples) or removed polyps (tissue growths). Biopsy/polyp reports can take 2 to 6 weeks, and they will be sent to your GP and/or consultant.
  We have given you a copy of your endoscopy report.
  We will post the results of your procedure to your GP or consultant. This takes about 5 working days. They will either write to you or arrange to see you again.
  We have referred you to the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). They can be your point of contact for any concerns you have about your condition.
  You will need a further investigation with a CT scan. Our radiology department will contact you.

Important

If you have not received your biopsy results within 2 weeks:

  • Contact your GP
    or
  • Call Kingston Hospital on 020 8546 7711 and ask to be connected to your consultant's secretary.

Other information

 

 

 

Completed by (print name) _____________________________________

Signed ________________________________________________________

Date    ________________________________________________________

Contact information

If you need advice, call the Endoscopy Unit, Monday to Friday 8am to 5.30pm

 

Out of hours (5.30pm to 8am), contact Kingston Hospital Hardy Ward

 

For urgent attention, go to the Kingston Hospital Emergency Department (A&E)

 

To reschedule or cancel an appointment

Endoscopy bookings team, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Email: krft.endoscopy@nhs.net

Telephone:

Endoscopy Unit: 020 8934 6433 or 020 8934 6613

 

Hardy Ward: 020 8934 2316 or 020 8934 2315

 

Endoscopy bookings team: 020 8934 2099 (option 2)