Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is used to look inside your colon (the main part of your large intestine) to find the cause of symptoms such as bleeding, changes in bowel habits, or abdominal pain. It can also detect and remove polyps before they become a problem.
At a glance
- Doctor referral only
- Fixed Price Package
- Health insurance
- Self-Pay Available
What is a colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows your consultant to see the lining of your colon (the main part of your large intestine, or bowel). A thin, flexible tube with a camera at the tip (a colonoscope) is gently passed into the anus and along the colon, allowing your consultant to view clear images on a video screen.
A colonoscopy is a valuable tool to help diagnose and treat a range of bowel conditions, including:
unexplained changes in bowel habits
rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
abdominal pain or unexplained weight loss
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
bowel polyps
bowel cancer
Private colonoscopy can also be used for routine screening for bowel cancer in people aged over 45.
Polyps on the inner lining of the colon are small growths that may become cancerous. If your specialist finds any polyps during your colonoscopy, they can often be removed straight away using a technique called a polypectomy. Small tissue samples (biopsies) may also be taken to confirm a diagnosis
At Welbeck, every colonoscopy is carried out in our state-of-the-art Digestive Health centre, using the latest high-definition imaging technology, hand-selected by our leading gastroenterology specialists. Our consultants are experts in diagnostic and screening colonoscopy, as well as advanced polypectomy. Together, they have performed more than 100,000 successful procedures with excellent safety, comfort, and polyp detection statistics.
Before your procedure, you’ll have a personal consultation with your Welbeck specialist, who will explain each step, discuss preparation, and answer any questions you may have. Your colonoscopy will take place in private, comfortable surroundings, supported by a dedicated nursing team who are focused on your care and comfort. In most cases, you’ll receive your results on the same day, and will be able to return home without the need for hospital admission.
More information
The colonoscopy itself usually takes around 15 to 30 minutes, but your whole appointment will take around 2 hours. This time will allow you to prepare and recover from the procedure in private, comfortable surroundings in our Digestive Health centre.
During your colonoscopy:
you may be given a sedative to help you relax, as well as an analgesic to reduce any pain
you’ll be asked to lie on your side or back while the colonoscope is gently passed into your bowel
your consultant will gently pump some carbon dioxide gas or water inside to help see the lining of your bowel clearly
your consultant will look at images on a screen and may talk to you about what they can see
any polyps may be removed, or a biopsy may be taken
the colonoscope will be gently removed
Most people describe a colonoscopy as uncomfortable, rather than painful, and our specialist nursing team will be on hand to assist you throughout. After the procedure, you’ll be shown to one of our dedicated recovery rooms where you can relax and recover until the effects of any sedative have worn off.
A colonoscopy is a safe and routine procedure, which is performed every day at Welbeck. Complications are rare, but can include:
minor bleeding after a biopsy or polyp removal
a temporary feeling of bloating or discomfort
very rarely, a small tear (perforation) in the bowel wall
Our specialists use gentle techniques and advanced equipment to keep risks extremely low. Your consultant will discuss any potential risks with you beforehand and ensure you’re fully comfortable with each step.
Before your colonoscopy, you’ll have a consultation to explain the procedure and preparation, and answer any questions you have. To get clear results, the bowel must be empty before your colonoscopy. This process is known as bowel preparation, and usually involves the use of a strong laxative. You'll be given full instructions in a personalised preparation kit sent to you before your appointment.
Preparation may include:
eating a low-fibre diet for a few days before the procedure
drinking only clear fluids the day before and the day of the procedure
taking a strong laxative the evening before your test
having an enema on the morning of your appointment
It’s important to follow these instructions carefully, so your consultant can see the bowel lining clearly.
Your doctor may also ask you to adjust certain medications before the test, especially blood thinners, iron supplements, or diabetes medication.
To help you feel prepared, watch this short video from our Digestive Health specialists. It explains what happens before, during and after a colonoscopy, and how our team ensures your comfort and safety throughout the procedure.
After the procedure, you’ll be able to relax and recover from any sedative in private, comfortable surroundings at Welbeck. Your consultant will explain the results to you when you’re ready, and then you’ll be able to go home. If you had any biopsies during the procedure, your consultant may give you a date for a follow-up appointment. If you have a sedative, you’ll need someone to drive you home, and you shouldn’t drive or operate machinery until the next day.
Like any medical procedure, you may experience some unwanted side effects after having a colonoscopy, but they’re usually temporary. You may feel bloated or have mild cramps as the gas leaves your body. A small amount of bleeding may occur, particularly if polyps were removed, but this usually settles within a few days.
Contact our team if you experience:
severe abdominal pain
fever or chills
rectal bleeding of more than one cup
These side effects are uncommon, but should always be checked.
The price of a private colonoscopy at Welbeck starts from £2,090. Please contact our Digestive Health team for more information.
At Welbeck, our gastroenterologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
To book a colonoscopy, you must be referred by either your GP or a gastroenterologist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this test.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with a Welbeck gastroenterologist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
Our specialists
Dr Ibrahim Al BakirConsultant Luminal Gastroenterologist
Dr Devinder BansiConsultant Gastroenterologist
Dr Simon AndersonConsultant Gastroenterologist
Professor Naila ArebiConsultant Gastroenterologist & Endoscopist
Dr Matthew BanksConsultant Gastroenterologist
Dr Lisa DasConsultant Gastroenterologist
Mr Tan ArulampalamConsultant Surgeon
Dr James AlexanderConsultant Gastroenterologist & Honorary Senior Lecturer
Dr Ahmir AhmadConsultant Gastroenterologist
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few other tests that can examine the large bowel, although they do not always provide the same level of detail as a colonoscopy. A double-contrast barium enema is an X-ray test that uses a chalky liquid called barium and air to outline the bowel on an X-ray image. Like a colonoscopy, you’ll need to take a bowel preparation beforehand to clear the bowel. This test can show most of the large bowel, but it may miss small growths called polyps. If polyps are found, you would still need to have a colonoscopy later to remove them.
Another option is CT colonography (also called a virtual colonoscopy or CT pneumocolon). This test uses a CT scanner to create detailed images of the large bowel. A small tube is placed into your back passage, and air is gently introduced to expand the bowel, allowing clearer pictures to be taken while you lie on your back and then on your front. Although CT colonography provides useful information, it can still miss smaller polyps or changes in the bowel lining. If anything abnormal is seen, a standard colonoscopy will be needed afterwards so that samples can be taken or polyps removed.
A colonoscopy is one of the most effective ways to screen for bowel cancer, even if you don’t have any symptoms. How often you should have one depends on your age, medical history, and individual risk factors. For most people, bowel cancer screening with a colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years from the age of 45. At Welbeck, your consultant will review your medical history and risk factors carefully and advise the safest and most appropriate screening interval for you.
It’s usually best to plan some time off work while you’re doing your bowel preparation. The laxative used to clear your bowel works quickly, often within a few hours, and you’ll need to stay close to a toilet during this time. You may also feel tired.
Yes. It’s possible to have a colonoscopy without sedation if you prefer. Some people choose this option so they can go home alone afterwards, or return to normal activities sooner. During the test, you may feel some mild pressure or bloating, but it’s usually well tolerated.