In many cases, abnormalities discovered during a colonoscopy will be removed immediately. However, in some cases, a separate follow-up procedure will be scheduled to eliminate the problem. In addition, some colonoscopies do not present a full picture of the patient’s colon because areas of the colon may have been visually obscured by the presence of stool or another factor. In such cases, a physician may recommend a follow-up within a year.

Patients who have no abnormalities will probably not require another colonoscopy for several years. However, at some point in the future the patient will have to have the procedure repeated to make sure new growths have not formed. A patient’s physician is best qualified to determine an appropriate colonoscopy schedule.  The American College of Gastroenterology makes the following recommendations: