Typically, no. The majority of patients who have a colonoscopy say the most challenging part is the prep. (In the grand scheme of things, prep really isn’t that bad). That’s why colonoscopy planning is important.

The procedure itself is not painful. You may feel slight discomfort and pressure as the doctor inserts the scope, but that is uncommon. If you do experience this, it is short lived.

Because gas is pumped into the colon to inflate it so doctors can get a good look, gas and bloating are also common following a colonoscopy. However, as the day goes on, the air will exit.