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Comment by matthewdgreen | Hacker News Reader

Those articles don't really say what the "botch" is. Was it the anesthesia? The actual endoscopic examination? Removal of polyps?

If its the polyp removal, I can certainly see how that could lead to problems. But you're a little stuck: even if you use another technique to do the scan, you still have to remove any polyps you find, don't you?

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A good friend's dad got a routine colonoscopy and they accidentally punctured his intestines. This was during the first COVID outbreak in the US, and the wait time for getting it fixed was so long that he had to walk around for months with a colonoscopy bag, as an old man that spends all day on his feet working. It was not a good experience.

yes I've had both a colonoscopy and a sigmoidoscopy (less invasive colonoscopy).

I'm not sure what the botches are here. In the sigmoidoscopy they took out a couple of polyps, in the colonoscopy (more recently than the sigmoidoscopy) they just did a cancer check-up given family history.

I wish those articles discusses the "botches", I'd like to know since from my understanding these are pretty safe procedures

Maybe just don’t worry yourself with anecdata.

I did mine without anesthesia/sedatives. There were moments of discomfort when they pump gas to expand the area - feels like a big fart is stuck in your gut - but otherwise no big deal, especially knowing that the pain is not dangerous. Recommend. It eliminates recovery time afterwards (you can drive yourself home) and increases safety.

Might try that this time. OTOH, I get the greatest nap of my life shaking off the sedative (get the lighter, cheaper option like Versed instead of anesthesiologist-administered propofol) and my spouse makes me a milkshake.

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