Colonoscopy Specialist

David Magner, MD, FACS, FASCRS Our Services Colonoscopy

David Magner, MD, FACS, FASCRS

Board-Certified Colorectal Surgeon located in Beverly Hills, CA

A colonoscopy sounds scary and invasive, but it is a very safe, low-risk procedure that only takes about 30 minutes. David Magner, MD, FACS, FASCRS of Beverly Hills, California caters to his patients' needs and provides a comfortable and efficient setting for his colonoscopies. As a faculty member in the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Magner devotes his career to research that improves clinical patient outcomes. If you need a colonoscopy, call his office or book online today to ensure your health is in the best hands.

Colonoscopy Q & A

What’s a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a medical procedure in which Dr. Magner uses a long, flexible tube called a colonoscope to examine the inside of your large intestine visually.

The colonoscope is about ½-inch in diameter and is inserted into your rectum. As it advances through to the other end of your large intestine, the colonoscope transmits a picture of the inside of your colon, so Dr. Magner can inspect it for any polyps, growths or other disease.

Colonoscopies usually last between 30 and 60 minutes. Dr. Magner gives you medications to help you relax and asks you to lay on your left side on the examining table.  When Dr. Magner finishes your colonoscopy, he removes the scope slowly and carefully.  

A colonoscopy is very helpful in diagnosing a variety of colorectal diseases since it provides a picture of any abnormalities in your colon. It often provides the opportunity for accurate diagnosis and treatment without the need for major surgery.  If any polyps (pre-cursors to cancer) are found, they are removed at the time of colonoscopy.

If the doctor finds an abnormality within your colon during the procedure, you may need to get a biopsy or have the tissue removed.

How to prepare for a colonoscopy

Before a colonoscopy, it’s important to let your doctor know about any medical conditions, including:

  • Lung conditions
  • Heart conditions
  • Allergies to medications
  • Diabetes
  • Any medicines you’re taking

You may also need to avoid eating solid foods for a few days before the test.

Make sure to arrange for someone to drive you home afterward since the medicines you take before the procedure makes you drowsy. It’s unsafe to drive or operate machinery for eight hours after a colonoscopy.

What risks are involved in a colonoscopy?

Colonoscopies present very few risks. In rare cases, complications of a colonoscopy may include:

  • A tear in the colon or rectum wall
  • Adverse reactions to the sedatives used prior to the procedure
  • Prolonged rectal bleeding
  • Severe abdominal pain, fever, or chills

Call Dr. Magner’s office right away if you experience excessive bleeding or pain following a colonoscopy.

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