The Colon Club

Hi everyone,
This time last year I was diagnosed with stage 1 rectal-colon cancer....recommendation was for follow up colonoscopy one year later. Robotic LAR performed last April....oncologist suggested that my colon surgeon perform upcoming colonoscopy instead of my gastroenterologist. He said that it would be best to allow colon surgeon to do it since he performed my surgery and could observe how everything looked inside. My friend, who works in the medical field, suggested that it’s generally best to have a colonoscopy performed by gastroenterologist since that is what they do ALL day and therefore are obviously more well trained in the procedure .....that they are more experienced both using the equipment and also more well trained in noticing polyps.
Does anyone out there have an opinion on this issue? I am prepared to go with the recommendation of my oncologist but want to check here first.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

I have had my surgeon perform my last 2 colonoscopies. I figure he's familiar with my new anatomy, and he does a lot of colonoscopies, so I feel confident he knows what he's doing. It probably doesn't matter much though.

For the first look after surgery, I would go with the surgeon. For all other colonoscopies, definitely the gastroenterologist. That's what I did.

Since my surgery, my colorectal surgeon has done all my colonoscopies. My gastroenterologist is the one who missed my flat cancerous tumor in the beginning. If I had waited to come back in 10 years like he told me, I probably wouldn't be here. To each his own...but that's my story. I am also happy to say that my 5-year post surgery CT scan this week came back clean. One day at a time!

Just had mine done by my surgeon

He was very happy with his work!!



KathyLynn

My husband's surgeon did his first post surgery scope, and will do his 2nd post surgery scope in April...we really trust him and he is extremely thorough in all of his work, but definitely do what you feel most comfortable with. Good luck and hoping all is well!
jep

In the past, I've always had my colonoscopy (I have a generic condition that requires an annual colonoscopy) performed at my local endoscopy centre. When you book in, they send you out a standard sheet instructions and timings on when to take laxatives. They did a good job. They found and identified my tumour, provided me a reference to an excellent specialist surgeon who operated quickly and I am cancer free for now.

After the total colectomy, I think I'll be having my annual colonoscopy at a specialist cancer centre.
My reasoning is that after the colonsocopy, the bowel preperation times will be non standard and I'll have to be taking time to explain the history and operations that I've had each time I book in for a colonscopy.
I feel that a specialist center or surgeon will be better prepared to deal with non standard situations.
But perhaps this is a misconception on my behalf.

Hope this helps.
Sean

I'm 12+ years out from my diagnosis and still have mine done (trying to schedule now) by my surgeon. IF something should be there, I want my surgeon to be the one that found it, knows precisely where it is, what it looks like, etc. Sometimes it is a little more difficult to schedule but heck, for me, it's all worth it.

Throughout the years on this board, I've heard numerous stories about patients being told by the GI that their tumor was say 8 cm in and it really was only 3 or vice versa. Thanks but I want to know things CORRECTLY right from the start!

I had my Surgeon do the first couple of colonoscopies, but he then wanted to wait 3 years for the next. I wasn't comfortable with that so went to a new GI, who found a massive polyp in my cecum, less than 2 years after my most recent colonoscopy.
Don't know if the surgeon had missed it, but I apparently grow them fast. Bottom line, follow your gut.

At the Cancer Center (Institute, in France) where my husband is treated, he has up to now had 2 coloscopies. His oncologist has prescribed these procedures and the same GI-doctor, actually he is a professor (not hubby’s surgeon) has done it. This Cancer Institute have a special unit for coloscopies and as I understand it there are only patients with cancer in this Institute.
Reading all your comments it sounds good to have your surgeon doing the procedure. Especially if the gastro dr is not working at an only cancer patient hospital - I hope that makes it special and OK that my DH’s procedure is not done by his surgeon.

Thanks very much to everyone who responded....very helpful to read your experiences and perspectives. I’ve decided to go with the surgeon this time around....scheduled for April 8.