<p>I’m 53, haven’t had a colonoscopy yet. Also very overweight (100+ pounds). Does being overweight affect the col. prep or the procedure itself? (Please, no lectures on being overweight; trying to work on that too. One step at a time.)</p>
<p>Good for you that you are getting a colonoscopy!! The procedure is so important as a preventative tool. It is such an easy procedure. Many people feel the need to complain at anything that is invasive, but as someone who has survived breast cancer, these procedures such as a colonoscopy and mammogram, etc. are so important. The benefits way outweigh any discomfort.</p>
<p>My SIL is very large and she had the colonoscopy last year. There were no problems or complications with her size. If you want, I suppose you could always ask that Dr.'s office if you want to make sure.</p>
<p>Good luck and congrats on having the procedure done!</p>
<p>My grandmother is quite overweight and in her 70s and has regular colonoscopies. She does just fine.</p>
<p>It wouldn’t hurt to ask the gastroenterologist whether your weight might interfere with any aspect of the procedure. There might be special steps that you should take to ensure that the procedure is successful.</p>
<p>The issue, from my point of view as someone who has had three colonoscopies, is that you really, really don’t want to go through the prep and then have an inadequate test.</p>
<p>My friend’s husband is easily 100 pounds overweight. The only issue he had was the doctor would not perform the procedure until he got his blood sugar level down to at least 250. Yes, that’s right DOWN to 250. Her husband is a diabetic on 3 oral medications (because he refuses injections of insulin) and has an average fasting blood sugar level over 270!! He did get it down to 250 (reduced his soda intake) and had the procedure–no complications and he went to a diner to eat immediately after.</p>
<p>My mum is about 100 lbs overweight and she has a colonoscopy done every year/ just had one done. She has never had an issue.</p>
<p>Crookshanks that is interesting. I was under the impression that colonoscopies are recommended on either a 5 or 10 year basis.</p>
<p>Some gastroenterologists will recommend a colonoscopy every year or two for those who have long-term chronic gastrointestinal disease like colitis or Chron’s and who therefore may be at significantly higher risk for colon cancer. If you have no underlying conditions and get a clean bill of health with your colonoscopy they may not want to see you for 5 or 10 years.</p>