Colonoscopy in San Jose, CA

As a leading proctologist in San Jose, Dr. Parrish is an expert in screening for colon cancer with colonoscopy. Early detection is the key to beating this cancer, so if you are 45+ years of age, you should be getting screened. By choosing Aaron Parrish MD for your colonoscopy, you’re securing a thorough, professional procedure and improving your odds of avoiding colorectal cancer. By ensuring we reach the end of the colon and taking our time during the examination, Dr. Parrish discovers precancerous polyps far more frequently than the average practice around San Jose.

Proctologist Aaron B. Parrish, MD is board-certified by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. He has extensive experience diagnosing a number of conditions by performing accurate colonoscopies. If you’re experiencing symptoms of an anal fissure in the San Jose area, call Dr. Parrish today to schedule an appointment at our Los Gatos proctology office at (408) 358-2868. Our office is just a short drive from San Jose, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Salinas, Hollister, and Monterey.

Am I at Risk For Colon Cancer?

It is important to understand your individual risk for developing colon cancer. Risk factors can include:

• Family history of Colon Cancer
• Family history of polyps
• Being over the age of 45
• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Extended periods of inactivity

What Is a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a procedure that enables Dr. Aaron Parrish to see the inner lining of your rectum and colon. During the procedure, a long, flexible tube with a camera is inserted into the anus and through the colon. This allows Dr. Parrish to inspect your rectum and colon using a state-of-the-art scope that allows him to see the entire lining of your colon. What he is mainly looking for are polyps. These growths can be benign, a precancerous adenoma, or malignant. If found, the polyp is removed immediately. By removing the polyps before they can become malignant, it helps reduce the chance of a colon cancer diagnosis. No need to worry; you will be given a sedative that makes this whole procedure very comfortable.

When Should You Get a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy may be done for a variety of reasons, including:

• Routine check for colon tumors
• Routine check for colon polyps
• Investigate abdominal pain
• Investigate blood in the stool
• Investigate frequent diarrhea
• Routine check-up if you have a family history of colon polyps or colon cancer

It is suggested that all people undergo a routine colonoscopy around age 45 and every ten years thereafter to catch polyps before they turn cancerous.

How Should You Prepare for a Colonoscopy?

Prior to receiving a colonoscopy, the colon must be completely cleaned. Dr. Parrish will give you the following information to prepare for your procedure:

• The day before the procedure you should eat a low-fiber breakfast. The rest of the day you should only have clear liquids, please see the instructions regarding which liquids are ok to drink.
• The night before the procedure, you will take Suprep or SUTAB prep. You will drink half the solution the night before and half in the morning 3-4 hours prior to your procedure.
• To avoid dehydration, drink plenty of fluids while preparing for your procedure.
• Stop drinking clear liquids after you are finished with your AM prep.

Recovery from a Colonoscopy

When you are fully awake, you will be released from the hospital or surgery center. You will need someone to pick you up from the center. Depending on the amount of anesthesia that you were given, you might not be able to operate machinery for up to 12 hours. Patients are allowed to eat normal foods and are required to drink a lot of fluids after testing to replace the water that was lost in the colonoscopy preparation process.

While we accept most insurances, it is your responsibility to understand whether your insurance has limits on the doctors you can see or the services you can receive. Colonoscopies typically receive excellent insurance coverage, and we accept a wide variety of plans to make screening for colorectal cancer affordable for as many people as possible. However, your plan may still require some out-of-pocket contribution.