Colon and rectal surgeons in Manchester, New Hampshire

We specialize in providing high-quality care in a safe space so you can feel comfortable discussing colorectal issues.

Conditions can cause frequent discomfort and impact your quality of life. At Catholic Medical Center, we understand these challenges and are here to help.

Conditions include:

  • Anal fissures
  • Colon cancer
  • Diverticulitis
  • Fecal incontinence
  • Fistulae
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative coliti
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Polyps
  • Rectal cancer

Diagnostic tests and screenings

  • Colonoscopy
  • Endoscopy services
  • Imaging tests

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a screening that detects growths, called polyps, in your large intestine. Polyps can sometimes lead to cancer, but they can easily and painlessly be removed during a colonoscopy.

Colonoscopies are covered by most insurance companies, including Medicaid.

How do I prepare for a colonoscopy?

If you have any questions regarding preparation, or which instructions are appropriate for your upcoming appointment, contact our office: (603) 665-2470

How often should I get a colonoscopy?

If you are at average risk of colorectal cancer, you should get your first colonoscopy at 45 years old. From there, it is recommended that you should get a colonoscopy at least once every 10 years. If you have a family history of colon cancer, you should begin getting colonoscopies even earlier. Do not wait for symptoms to occur, as you might not have any. If detected early, colon cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer.

Your doctor will determine the timing of your next colonoscopy based on individual factors, such as polyp size and type, if we find any.

Is getting a colonoscopy really necessary?

Yes, because early detection of polyps during a colonoscopy significantly improves your chances of successful colorectal cancer prevention and treatment.

Will I need to see one of your doctors or be a current patient before my colonoscopy?

Generally, a preoperative office appointment is not required, unless you have special health considerations. If this is the case, call us to discuss your specific needs and schedule.

Call (603) 665-2470, and we will help schedule your screening.

How should I prepare for a colonoscopy or endoscopy?

Your doctor will give you instructions, including what foods you can and cannot eat and whether you need to stop taking any medications beforehand. Please read the instructions as soon as you get them. You might need to stop certain medications up to a week before your test. Contact us if you have trouble preparing for your procedure.

If you are getting a colonoscopy, before the procedure, you will clean out your colon with a special drink that causes watery diarrhea. It’s important to drink all of the liquid to ensure it does its job. A clean colon allows us to get a better look at the inside lining, along with making the colonoscopy easier to complete and more comfortable for you.

What happens during a colonoscopy?

First, we will give you medicine to help you relax. From there, your doctor will insert a thin tube with a camera and light on the end into your anus, then into your rectum and colon. This allows us to examine the inside lining of your entire colon.

Your doctor might also conduct a test called a biopsy. This procedure involves taking a small piece of tissue from your colon and viewing it under a microscope to see if it contains cancer. If we identify growths in your colon, we might also remove them. You will not feel any sensation if our team takes a biopsy or removes a growth.

If a biopsy is taken, when will I receive the results?

We will typically contact you within one to two weeks, depending on availability and complexity.

Will you remove polyps or abnormal tissue during my colonoscopy if you find any?

During the procedure, we work to extract all polyps, in order to prevent colorectal cancer. Large polyps, however, may require surgical removal. With early detection and the polyp removal, colorectal cancer is highly treatable.

How long does a colonoscopy appointment take, on average?

The average length of your visit depends on individual factors and your recovery time. The procedure itself takes about 30 minutes, making the entire appointment around two and a half hours.

Can I drive myself to my colonoscopy appointment?

No. Since you will be under anesthesia during the test, you should not drive until the day after your procedure. Being under anesthesia ensures you will not remember the procedure when you wake up.

What happens after a colonoscopy?

We will give you instructions you should follow after your colonoscopy. Most can eat as usual, but we advise against driving or working for the rest of the day. Your doctor will tell you when you can resume taking your medications.

After a colonoscopy, when should I call my doctor?

Contact our office immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Belly pain that is worse than pain caused by gas or cramps
  • Bloated, hard belly
  • Fever
  • Significant bleeding from your anus
  • Vomiting

Endoscopy

During an endoscopy, your doctor uses a long, thin tube, called an endoscope, to examine specific organs or areas inside your body. A light and camera attached to this tool help us take images or videos that are displayed on a screen, allowing your doctor to review them in real time. By inserting additional instruments into the endoscope, we can remove tissue and perform minimally invasive surgery.

We offer a variety of both inpatient and outpatient endoscopy services to treat conditions associated with your GI tract, as well as your respiratory system.

What happens during an endoscopy?

We will insert an IV needle in your arm or hand to administer medication that will relax you. Our team will also give you a mouth spray or gargle to numb your mouth. Additionally, you'll receive a plastic mouth guard to protect your teeth.

Once the anesthesia takes effect, your doctor will place a thin tube with a camera and light at the end into your mouth and down into your esophagus, stomach and duodenum. We use this tool to look for irritation, bleeding, ulcers and growths.

Will you conduct other tests during my endoscopy?

We might also do a biopsy or treat issues we identify while you are under anesthesia. Examples include stopping blood loss, removing growths and widening narrow areas in your esophagus. It is important to address these narrow areas, because they can make it hard for to swallow.

What happens after an endoscopy?

Our team will monitor you for one to two hours, until the anesthesia fully wears off. We strongly advise against driving or returning to work that day. You should be able to do both the next day.

What are the possible side effects of an endoscopy?

The most common side effect is feeling bloated. Some people also feel nauseous from the medications administered before the procedure. If you feel nauseous, we can give you medicine to alleviate that. Most can eat as usual after the procedure.

Less common side effects that may occur include:

  • Bleeding
  • Food from your stomach getting into your lungs
  • Redness or swelling of your skin around the IV
  • Tears in the lining of your digestive tract

Do I need a referral from my primary care provider?

If your health insurance coverage is a health maintenance organization (HMO), you might need a referral from your primary care provider. You can get confirmation from your health insurance company or call us for guidance.

To learn more about our gastroenterology services, call us at (603) 665-2470.