Just like everyone says - the worst part is the prep. I had the phosphosoda stuff, and it's very nasty, but I'm a weenie anyway. The first year I used ginger ale & even to this day I can't stand the thought of drinking it! The next year I used plain water & it wasn't much better. Blech!
The reason I've had 2 is because my dad had colon cancer at the age of 63, (and so did his grandfather) so I had my 1st colonoscopy 2 years ago. They found 4 polyps, which totally freaked me out, but the Doctor had me back in to have another one the next year. That one was 100% FINE. Nothing. I'm sure if my dad had gone in and had a colonoscopy 20 years ago when he was in the age bracket to have one (like my mom did) he'd have caught it early. As it is, when they found the cancer - it was massive.
I didn't remember anything at all after the anesthesia kicked in. They gave me a boatload of it, I think! In fact, I didn't even know what happened in recovery until the next year when someone mentioned what happens in the recovery room!!
My first recollection in the recovery room is them giving me Sprite to drink - and I told them to get it away from me, (it was sickeningly sweet) I wanted water! The 2nd time I was more aware in recovery, but very woozy. Like I had waaaay too many margaritas and not enough to eat! But this time they were ready with the water & not soda!
This time they told me I didn't have to come back for 3 years. If that one is clean - then I can go 5 years.