Colonoscopy and endoscopy, answered.

Endoscopy is the general term for examining the body with a flexible scope. Upper endoscopy — often called an EGD — examines the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine, entering through the mouth. A colonoscopy examines the colon and rectum, entering through the rectum. Both use a scope with a high-definition camera, but they look at opposite ends of the digestive tract. Read our full comparison →

Major guidelines recommend that people at average risk begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45. You may need to start earlier if you have a family history of colorectal cancer, a personal history of polyps or inflammatory bowel disease, or certain genetic conditions. Your gastroenterologist will advise based on your history.

If your colonoscopy is normal and you're at average risk, the interval is typically ten years. If polyps are found and removed, your physician may recommend returning in three to five years, depending on the number, size, and type of polyps.

Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, a persistent change in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, ongoing abdominal pain, persistent heartburn, or iron-deficiency anemia without a clear cause all warrant evaluation — regardless of your age or screening schedule.

Preparation is specific to your procedure, your medical history, and your physician's protocol — it isn't one-size-fits-all. Your physician's office will provide complete, step-by-step instructions well in advance, covering diet, timing, bowel preparation where required, and how to handle your current medications. Follow them exactly, and contact the office with any questions. See prep instructions and forms →

Bowel preparation cleanses the colon so the lining can be clearly seen. A poorly prepared colon can hide a polyp behind residual material — which defeats the purpose of the exam and may mean it has to be repeated sooner than otherwise necessary.

Some medications — particularly blood thinners, diabetes medications, and certain supplements — may need to be adjusted before your procedure. Always review your full medication list with your physician's office ahead of time, and don't stop or change any medication without their guidance.

Most colonoscopy preparations involve a low-residue diet in the days beforehand and a clear-liquid diet the day before, but the specifics depend on the prep your physician prescribes. Your instructions will spell out exactly what's allowed and when.

Colonoscopy is performed under sedation administered by a board-certified anesthesia team. Most patients rest through the procedure and remember little to none of it. Any cramping or bloating afterward is usually mild and passes quickly.

You'll receive sedation from a board-certified anesthesia team, so you'll be comfortable and typically rest through the procedure. This isn't the same as general anesthesia, but most patients remember little to none of the experience.

Most patients say the bowel preparation the day before is the least pleasant part — not the procedure itself. Prep formulations have improved considerably, and split-dose regimens are generally better tolerated than what patients may remember from years past.

Most colonoscopy and upper endoscopy procedures take under an hour. Plan to be at the center longer than that, though, to allow time for check-in, preparation, and recovery from sedation.

Yes. Because your procedure involves sedation, you can't drive yourself home. Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you, and plan to rest for the remainder of the day.

Your physician can often share initial findings on the day of your procedure, once you're awake. If a biopsy or polyp removal was performed, the tissue is sent to pathology, and those results typically follow within one to two weeks through your physician's office.

Finding a polyp is common and usually not cause for alarm. In most cases it's removed during the same procedure and sent to pathology to determine its type. Removing polyps is precisely how colonoscopy prevents colorectal cancer from developing. Why screening matters →

Most patients can eat normally and resume regular activity the day after their procedure, and sometimes the same evening. Because of sedation, you shouldn't drive, operate machinery, or make important decisions on the day of the procedure.

Procedures at our center are scheduled by your physician, not booked directly by patients. Care begins with a consultation with one of our gastroenterologists — if a colonoscopy or endoscopy is right for you, their office will schedule it at our center. Find a physician →

We participate with a wide range of insurance plans. Coverage can differ between a screening and a diagnostic procedure, and qualifications may vary by plan. Please verify your specific coverage with your physician's office before your procedure. See accepted plans →

A screening procedure is performed when you have no symptoms and are due for routine colorectal cancer screening. A diagnostic procedure investigates a symptom or follows up on a prior finding. Many insurance plans cover these differently, and a screening colonoscopy may be reclassified if a polyp is found and removed.

The center opens in January 2027 on the East End of Long Island, at 72A Old Riverhead Road in Westhampton Beach. We're accepting appointment inquiries now. Contact us →