Small tissue samples — the size of a pinhead — (called biopsies) are collected. A pathology laboratory uses these samples to help with diagnosis.

Some reasons why you may need a Flexible sigmoidoscopy:

• Blood in the stool
• Diarrhea
• Belly pain
• Bottom pain

What happens before and after the test?
Before the test, you will be given an enema to flush out all the poop (also called stool) from the last few feet of your large intestine. You will also need to drink lots of clear fluids. It is important that during this time you do not eat any food. Getting all the poop out allows your doctor to see what’s happening inside.

On the morning of the test, you are not supposed to eat or drink anything as this can cause problems with the medicines used to help you sleep during the test. Please ask your doctor whether you should to stop taking any current medications in advance before the test.

After the test, your doctor will update you on what was found during the test. If tissue samples (biopsies) were taken during the test, it will take 1-2 weeks to receive the results from the pathology lab. Your doctor will let you know when these results are back. Once you are drinking well, you can start eating again and go home. A few patients feel sick after the test and may be watched a little longer until they feel better.

After the test, if you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor or go to the Emergency Department:

• Tummy pain for more than an hour. Most patients feel fine after the test.
• Throwing up several times. To make sure this isn’t a problem, try to drink small amounts of drinks like Sprite or ginger ale, or eat a little bit of popsicle.
• Bleeding. Passing small amounts of blood (less than a spoonful) may be normal for 1-2 days, but if it is more than that or it continues let your doctor know.
• Fevers. If there are persistent fevers, let your doctor know.