Private Colonoscopy & Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

Private Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a camera examination of your lower bowel or colon. It is used to check for growths, polyps, inflammation and other things that might be causing you symptoms.

Your bowel will need to be as clean as possible so I can examine it thoroughly. This means that you will need to take strong laxatives the day before the examination and you will need to be off work and near a toilet. The diarrhoea will start a couple of hours after you start the laxatives.

For 2 days before your private colonoscopy you will need to be on a low fibre diet and then switch to clear fluids only for the day before the procedure.

The test itself can be uncomfortable so the majority of people have some strong pain killers and sedation. You will not be completely asleep but the procedure will be more comfortable than otherwise. If you choose to have sedation you will need someone to pick you up from the hospital and stay with you over night.

Colonoscopy
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You will not be able to drive for 24 hours after the procedure.

In general if you choose to have sedation you will need the day before, the day of and the day after the procedure off work.

If you need to drive after the procedure and/or can not have some one stay with you over night we can give you some gas and air which can also make the procedure more comfortable than no sedation at all.

If I find some small polyps I may remove them at the same time. This adds a few minutes to the procedure but you won’t feel anything.

If I find any larger polyps, growths or inflammation I will biopsy (or sample) the area and send them to the lab for testing. I will see you back in clinic to discuss the results and plan the next steps.

You will receive the results on the same day and I will talk to you after the procedure. I will also see in clinic to discuss the next steps and to ensure that you have understood everything and also to go through the results of any biopsies or samples that were taken for testing in the lab.

A private colonoscopy is a very safe examination. There is a small risk of bleeding – particularly if samples were taken. There is an even smaller risk of perforating or making a hole in the bowel – this is in the region of 1 in 1500. A small proportion of these patients may need surgery to fix the hole.

There is also a small chance particularly if the laxatives have not worked as well as they should have done that small, subtle abnormalities may be missed. If I think there is a significant chance of this I may recommend that we repeat the procedure with even stronger laxatives to be absolutely sure.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy

This is very similar to a colonoscopy but only examines the lower third of your colon. In general no special preparation or laxatives are needed. You will be given an enema. This is a small tube of fluid that is squeezed through your back passage into your rectum. You should try and hold the fluid for as long as possible and then go to the toilet as normal. This empties the bowel making it easier for me to examine the lining.

The enema may be given to you in hospital on the day of your examination or may be given to you to have at home before coming into hospital. It is simple to use and most people are able to give themselves the enema with out any problems. Sedation is not normally needed and most people only need to be off work for the day of the procedure.

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​Flexible sigmoidoscopy only examines the last part of the colon

Case study: colonoscopy for diverticulitis

Mr AT is a young, active accountant and busy farther of 3 girls. He has long suffered with diverticular disease. He was first admitted to hospital 5 years ago with a diverticular abscess at the age of 35 - this was drained in hospital and he had a good recovery. Over the following years however he would suffer with several episodes of pain requiring several days off work through out the year. He was also admitted to hospital and required intravenous antibiotics on two further occasions in the 5 years.

One of Mr AT’s close friends had been treated by Mr Peravali and he was highly recommended so Mr AT made an appointement to see him at Spire Little Aston Hospital.

Mr Peravali recommended a private colonoscopy to be sure of the diagnosis. This was organised for him within a few days. Diverticular disease was confirmed. As the disease was confined to a small area of the bowel and the condition was causing significant disturbance to Mr AT’s life they both agreed that it was reasonable to remove the diseased segment of bowel.

Mr AT was operated on a few weeks later. He underwent key hole surgery and removal of the diseased part of the bowel. The two ends of the bowel were joined up and he made an uneventful recovery. Mr AT spent 3 days in hospital and was discharged home. He was back at work 3 weeks later. His life has significantly improved and he no longer gets attacks of abdominal pain and has not had anymore time off work for this reason.

Videos about colonoscopy

What actually IS a colonoscopy?

What is a colonoscopy, and how is it performed?

What do I need to know before my colonoscopy?

What do I need to know before my colonoscopy?

Who should have a screening colonoscopy?

Who should have a screening colonoscopy?

What can I expect when I come in for a colonoscopy

What can I expect to happen during a colonoscopy?

What sedation do I get for my colonoscopy?

What sedation do I get for my colonoscopy?

Will I be able to drive after my colonoscopy?

Will I be able to drive after my colonoscopy?

What does preparing for a colonoscopy involve?

How can I best prepare for a colonoscopy?

Is colonoscopy the best test for me?

Is colonoscopy the best test for me?

Will I need time off for my colonoscopy?

Will I need to take time off work for a colonoscopy?

When will I get the results of my colonoscopy?

When will I get the results of my colonoscopy?

Patient Testimonials

“I was so pleased knowing I was in safe hands.”

Mr Peravali showed me great respect and impressed me right from my first appointment gaining my full trust. I was so pleased knowing I was in safe hands. His knowledge and reputation in what he does is superb. I very much appreciated Mr Peravali visiting me the very next morning after the operation to check and ensure everything was ok. The information he provided me about before, during and after the operation was great and very useful. I thank sincerely Mr Peravali for taking good care of me.

Mr Peravali was extremely professional whilst being approachable to ask any questions about the operation and recovery. His supporting team made me feel like I was in safe hands, again exchanges of conversations between us made me very relaxed.

“I cannot fault the care I received”

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your team for the care and kindness you showed me before during and after my prolapse operation. I cannot fault the care I received and I hope you carry on providing this high level of care to your patients.

Mrs. F.A

"I have no hesitation in recommending your skills to other people"

You carried out an operation for my abdominal hernias at Spire Little Aston Hospital.

I wish to express my thanks to you and your staff for the high standard of clinical and patient care I received. The pain and discomfort from the hernias have gone and I now feel so much better after the operation.

Thank you so much and I have no hesitation in recommending your skills to other people with similar problems.

Mr. B.B.

"The care I received was first class"

Just a short note to thank you and your team for the treatment and care you gave me during and after my cancer operation.

After first meeting you,  both my wife and myself had total confidence in you. What really impressed us was the aftercare you and your team provided.

The care I received was first class and I witnessed first-hand how dedicated you and your team are to your patients.

Mr. L.D. & Mrs. T.D.

"We really appreciated your honest and comforting approach"

I would like to say a big thank you to you for my mom’s treatment. We really appreciated your honest and comforting approach and support – sometimes with not good news but always with a smile, a plan and complete reassurance that in your hands my mom would be ok.

We particularly welcomed your well needed lightness and laughter.  On the day of the surgery you took time to talk to my mom as well as myself and my sister which really helped us all. My mom has made a fantastic recovery and is better than ever – thank you once again and we will be for ever indebted to you.

Mrs. M.K.

"Excellent outcome"

We are writing to say how pleased we are with Dr Rajeev Peravali who saved my mum’s life in March when she was admitted to Hospital with severe abdominal pain. She had an ileostomy at the time. He subsequently reversed her ileostomy and has had an excellent outcome once again thanks to Dr Peravali.

Mrs. A.S. & family

"Helped me a great deal"

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your team for the surgery you performed to remove a cancer from my colon.

I would also like to thank you for the time and information you gave me throughout and after the procedure, I found that helped me a great deal.

Mr. R.U.

"The work you do is outstanding"

I would like to say a huge thank you to you and your team for the specialist care you gave throughout my operation. The work you do is outstanding and I will be forever grateful for what you have done for me.

Mr. D.W.

"I will never be able to thank you enough"

I am writing to express my gratitude for the treatment I received at your hands. Everyone was so wonderful. The day I was admitted to hospital was one of the toughest times in my life. The personal attention and kindness shown by you, coupled by the caring attitude of the hospital staff helped me overcome my fears about surgery.

I want you to know that you are doing a wonderful job and I will never be able to thank you enough. The support and advice I received from you before undergoing the surgery was crucial in my speedy recovery. I will recommend you not just as a doctor but also as a great human being who is a good listener with lots of patience with a caring attitude.

Mr. I.W.

"Very very pleased thank you."

I felt very relaxed and confident with Mr Peravali’s explanation of the procedure to take place. After the procedure I am really pleased with the outcome .could not have been better no pain no inflammation. Very very pleased thank you.

 

 

"Was easy to speak to and be empathetic."

Mr Peravali was very approachable made me feel at ease, wanted to help with my pain and felt he meant it. Was easy to speak to and be empathetic. Had been putting off seeing anyone but if I had known what the consultant was like I would have gone sooner.

 

"Very efficient and gave me a lot of confidence about the operation"

Wearing hearing aids makes life a bit more complicated , Mr Peravali was very patient with me and made sure I understood everything . Very efficient and gave me a lot of confidence about the operation . Also found time to pass a few pleasant remarks .

My consultant shows that he's competent and is experienced in what he does. I think he was being thorough with the procedure to make sure I was in the clear. Thanks again to Mr Peravali

The consultant was very good. He came to talk me through the procedure before hand and asked if I had any questions. He also came after the procedure and told me how it went again asking if I had any questions. He also explained how my recovery should go. Thank you Mr Peravali

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