Colonoscopy

What is a colonoscopy?

A procedure that allows a physician to examine the inside of the colon and rectum.

Colonoscopy Quality Indicators

Patients should know their gastroenterologist’s colonoscopy performance numbers. The NIH and American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy use the gastroenterologist’s adenoma detection rate (ADR) and withdrawal time to measure the performance quality of the doctor’s ability to perform and thoroughness with this procedure.

The recommended performance baseline is an ADR of at least 15% in women & 25% in men and a withdrawal time of at least 6 minutes. Those percentages mean that adenomas (a type of colon polyp) should be found in 15% of women and 25% of men.

• In 2018-2019, Dr. Lyles had an ADR of 35% in women and 56% in men and a withdrawal time average over 10 minutes.
• In 2015-2017, Dr. Lyles had an ADR of 29% in women and 50% in men and a withdrawal time average over 11 minutes.

“The goals of early detection start with a high-quality colonoscopy and as a gastroenterologist, I strive to provide high-quality colonoscopy for my patients. By spending extra time examining the colon, we are able to detect more polyps in our patients, with the goal of preventing more cancers. I am proud that our withdrawal time is far above the accepted national benchmark (6 minutes) and that our adenoma detection rates exceed published national benchmarks.”

Thomas Lyles, MD

Colonoscopy Cost in Bedford, TX

The cost of colonoscopy procedures in Bedford, TX varies based on the patient’s insurance plan and individual insurance policies. Also, how the exam is classified can affect the patient’s financial responsibility.

The two exam classifications are Screening and Diagnostic. A screening colonoscopy is typically 100% covered by insurance.* This classification is used for colon cancer screening exams. On the other hand, when an exam is done for the evaluation of symptoms (abdominal pain, bleeding, abnormal CAT scans) it is classified as a diagnostic colonoscopy, a patient’s insurance policy co-pays and deductibles will most likely apply with this distinction. Our office employs an insurance specialist who is able to give our patients an accurate cost estimate prior to patients undergoing this procedure.

*Each patient should confirm their insurance benefits prior to their colonoscopy. If there is a question regarding insurance coverage, please call the office and our experienced staff will provide a clear explanation.

Competitive Facility Fees

Dr. Thomas Lyles performs the vast majority of his endoscopy exams at Digestive Health Center of Bedford. This facility has very competitive facility fees in the DFW area and is less expensive than fees charged by local hospitals.

Do I need an office appointment before the procedure?

For qualifying patients, Dr. Lyles does offer the option of a direct access colonoscopy. This is a time-saving option that does not require an office visit before screening colonoscopy. To learn more, please visit our page describing this time and cost-saving colon cancer screening option.

Which colon cancer screening exam is best?

Colonoscopy is considered the “gold standard” exam to screen for colon cancer since it is the only exam that allows the doctor to both detect and remove polyps. That being said, there are other options to consider. We encourage you to discuss these options with your doctor when deciding which screening exam is best for you.

A popular alternative to colonoscopy is the at-home Cologuard test, primarily due to the amount of advertising done for Cologuard over the past few years. To help patients better understand the differences between these screening options, Dr. Lyles has created an article explaining the pros and cons of both Colonoscopy and Cologuard cancer screening exams.

Why do I need to undergo a colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy has many important purposes and indications. Most commonly, this exam is used as a procedure to both detect and prevent colon cancer. By undergoing this procedure, your gastroenterologist can identify polyps (pre-cancerous growths) and remove them from your colon before they can develop into cancer. A colonoscopy is the only colon cancer test that allows for both the detection and prevention of colon cancer.

In addition to its use as a test for colon cancer, colonoscopy is also indicated if you are experiencing blood loss from your rectum, abnormal abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, chronic constipation, or if there is an abnormal finding on an imaging study of your abdomen, such as an MRI or a CT (CAT) scan.

Colonoscopy Prep

Before the procedure, a colon needs to be “prepared” by having all of the colon contents, i.e., stool, purged from the colon. To purge the colon, your gastroenterologist will place you on a liquid diet 24-hours before the day of the exam, and then you will have to consume a powerful laxative the night before the exam. This laxative will clear out your colon, which allows your gastroenterologist to clearly see the walls of the colon, identify polyps (pre-cancerous growths) and safely take biopsies of abnormal areas of the colon.

Procedure Overview

After your colon has been prepared (all stool purged from the colon), you will be given medicines intravenously that will place you into a “twilight sleep.” You continue to breathe on your own, and your vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, percent oxygen in your blood) are monitored throughout the procedure. Once you are in a “twilight sleep,” your gastroenterologist will insert the colonoscope into your rectum and begin the procedure.

Are there risks?

Patients rarely experience a complication from a colonoscopy, such as bleeding from where a polyp is removed, infection, reaction to anesthesia, or a perforation (creating a small tear in the colon).