Colonoscopy

Were you recently told you need a colonoscopy? You might be putting it off because you are worried, embarrassed, or self-conscious.

There's nothing to worry about. A colonoscopy is used to detect and treat diseases such as colon cancer before they become life-threatening.

Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists of New York, with offices throughout Queens and Long Island, NY, offers comfortable, private exams...

This Procedure Could Save Your Life Reasons to Schedule Sooner Rather Than Later

A colonoscopy is a diagnostic exam used to detect abnormalities in your rectum and large intestine (colon). During the exam, one of our doctors will insert a colonoscope—a long, flexible tube with a camera at the end—into the rectum to examine the tissue and remove samples, if necessary.

There are many benefits to undergoing this procedure in a timely manner:

Relieve Discomfort

Many patients come to our office once their pain and discomfort are intolerable. By choosing to visit the Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists of New York, you can get the diagnosis and treatment you need to eliminate discomfort and feel healthy again.

Receive an Early Diagnosis

A colonoscopy can help our doctors detect pre-cancerous and cancerous tissues at their earliest stages, when they are the most treatable. It can also detect benign tumors, ulcers, and polyps.

Get Life-Saving Care

Conditions like colon cancer are much easier to treat when they are identified early. Therefore, timely diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer can actually save your life.

"We Specialize in Colonoscopy."

A colonoscopy procedure safeguards patients from developing colon cancer. Colonoscopies are recommended for every patient over the age of 45. If any polyps are detected, the specialists at CRSSNY are often able to remove them without additional surgeries.

Promising Survival Rates After Early Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis

According to the organization Fight Colorectal Cancer, patients with localized colorectal cancer (Stage I and Stage II) have an 89.9% five-year relative survival rate. Meanwhile, patients with distance cancer (Stage IV) have a 14.2% five-year relative survival rate.

Localized cancers that have not yet spread to other parts of the body are the most treatable, and they can be detected and treated with a colorectal cancer screening such as a colonoscopy.

"An Excellent Surgeon."

"Being a cancer patient I felt I could not be in better hands. Dr. Pappas is a excellent surgeon I recommend him to my entire family."
Emil G.

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When Do You Need a Colonoscopy?

According to the American Cancer Society, men and women between the ages of 45 and 75 should get regular colorectal cancer screenings. After age 75, the need for a colorectal cancer screening can be assessed based on personal preferences, overall health, and previous diagnoses.

If you have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease, you may need more regular screenings. Our doctors will determine how often screenings are necessary based on your individual background and whether any abnormalities are detected during your first exam.

But I Feel Fine Do I Really Need a Colonoscopy?

It is important to note that you do not need to have symptoms or present a referral from a doctor to schedule an exam with us. In some cases, patients with colon cancer do not have any symptoms at all, so it is important to schedule regular screenings even if you feel healthy.

If you are 45 or older, contact one of our offices serving Long Island, Garden City, and East Setauket, NY, to schedule your first screening.

Contact Our Practice to Schedule Your Colonoscopy

Your safety and health are our top priorities. If you are 45 or older, or if you are experiencing symptoms of a colorectal issue, don't delay. Contact the Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists of New York today. Our practice has been serving patients throughout Long Island, Garden City, and East Setauket since 2000.

We have:

A team of double board-certified specialists
Our own ambulatory surgical center
Advanced surgical and endoscopic technology
Earned recognition from Castle Connolly's Top Doctors, New York Magazine's Best Doctors, and the Guide to America's Top Surgeons

To make our high-quality care more accessible, our practice has expanded to five office locations. To schedule your screening, request an appointment online or call our Long Island, NY-based practice:

(516) 248-2422

Request Your Appointment

"Top-Notch."

"I had a colonoscopy with Dr. Pappas his facility and staff are top notch he made my feel very comfortable before during and after my colonoscopy."
Ann M.

We Take Extra Measures to Make Your Exam Comfortable

We understand that a colonoscopy can seem uncomfortable or unpleasant, so we go above and beyond to ensure that our patients feel comfortable and confident going into their exams.

There are many reasons to undergo this exam at Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists of New York rather than a hospital:

Experience Safe & Precise Care at Our Robotic Surgical Institute

Our practice is proud to use the da Vinci Xi Surgical System to perform robotic rectal surgeries. The da Vinci system is equipped with robotic arms that are much smaller and dexterous than human hands, allowing us to perform intricate procedures with greater precision than ever before. Other advantages of minimally invasive, robotic-assisted surgery include:

Minimal or no incisions required
Reduced risk of complications
Shorter hospital stay
Faster return to normal activities
Better visibility for the surgeon

Using this technology, our surgeons have performed more robotic rectal surgeries than any other practice on Long Island.

Learn More about Our Robotic Surgery Center

The Advantages of Robotic Surgery

In this video, Drs. Dean Pappas and Frank Caliendo introduce the Robotic Surgical Institute at Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists of New York. Robotic surgery is far more precise than traditional techniques, leading to improved patient outcomes. The team at CRSSNY has performed more robotic surgeries than any other practice on Long Island.

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Preparing for Your Exam: What You Need to Know

One to two days before your colonoscopy, you will begin preparing your large intestine. In preparation for your colonoscopy, you will:

Ingest special laxative solutions designed to induce bowel movements and help you clear your bowels
Need to stay near a restroom and be prepared for the laxatives to take effect
Limit your food intake to clear liquids such as gelatin, broths, soda, sports drinks, and popsicles
Drink extra liquids throughout your bowel cleansing to avoid dehydration

During your bowel prep, you should plan to stay home and free of commitments or distractions. Bowel cleansing is an important part of your exam. The cleaner your colon is, the easier it will be for one of our physicians to detect diseases, polyps, and other abnormalities through the colonoscope.

What to Expect On the Day of Your Procedure

Your procedure will take place at one of our five office locations throughout Long Island and Queens:

Anesthesia

Before beginning your exam, we can administer anesthesia to help you relax. For the safety of the patient, all anesthesia is administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist who will monitor your vitals during the procedure. Under anesthesia, you should not feel or remember any part of your exam.

Exam

Your exam will take place in one of our soundproof suites. Once you are sedated, one of our colorectal surgeons will insert the colonoscope into the rectum, checking for abnormalities. If he or she discovers a polyp during the test, they may decide to remove it, as polyps can develop into cancer. If they detect other abnormalities such as large polyps or tumors, they will perform a biopsy. During the biopsy, we will examine the abnormal tissue or polyp under a microscope to check for cancerous cells.

Waking Up

You will wake up after your exam with no memory of your procedure, and our doctors will monitor you closely to ensure that there are no negative side effects. Because anesthesia can leave you groggy and disoriented, you will need a trusted friend or family member to drive you home.

Diagnosis

Our colorectal surgeons can treat any abnormality found during your exam, so you can receive the care you need without having to find another doctor. All of our doctors are certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Our doctors can collaborate and decide which treatment is best for you.

Treatment

If possible, we will attempt to treat your condition without surgery. If surgery is necessary, we use endoscopic equipment and advanced surgical technology to precisely target the abnormality and avoid harming healthy surrounding tissue. By using endoscopic tools, we can also promote faster healing and reduce your level of post-operative discomfort.

Maximizing Your Insurance Benefits to Make Your Colonoscopy Affordable

At Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists of New York, we believe that your health comes first. To provide affordable care, our facility and providers are all in-network with most major insurance companies. This can greatly minimize your costs, allowing you to get the care you need when you need it.

In preparation for your consultation, we encourage you to contact your provider and determine your eligible coverage.

Our Office Updates As of 2021