A colonoscopy is a diagnostic exam used to detect abnormalities in your rectum and large intestine (colon). During the exam, one of our doctors will insert a colonoscope—a long, flexible tube with a camera at the end—into the rectum to examine the tissue and remove samples, if necessary.
There are many benefits to undergoing this procedure in a timely manner:
Many patients come to our office once their pain and discomfort are intolerable. By choosing to visit the Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists of New York, you can get the diagnosis and treatment you need to eliminate discomfort and feel healthy again.
Conditions like colon cancer are much easier to treat when they are identified early. Therefore, timely diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer can actually save your life.
A colonoscopy procedure safeguards patients from developing colon cancer. Colonoscopies are recommended for every patient over the age of 45. If any polyps are detected, the specialists at CRSSNY are often able to remove them without additional surgeries.
See more videosAccording to the organization Fight Colorectal Cancer, patients with localized colorectal cancer (Stage I and Stage II) have an 89.9% five-year relative survival rate. Meanwhile, patients with distance cancer (Stage IV) have a 14.2% five-year relative survival rate.
Localized cancers that have not yet spread to other parts of the body are the most treatable, and they can be detected and treated with a colorectal cancer screening such as a colonoscopy.
“Being a cancer patient I felt I could not be in better hands. Dr. Pappas is a excellent surgeon I recommend him to my entire family.”
According to the American Cancer Society, men and women between the ages of 45 and 75 should get regular colorectal cancer screenings. After age 75, the need for a colorectal cancer screening can be assessed based on personal preferences, overall health, and previous diagnoses.
If you have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease, you may need more regular screenings. Our doctors will determine how often screenings are necessary based on your individual background and whether any abnormalities are detected during your first exam.
It is important to note that you do not need to have symptoms or present a referral from a doctor to schedule an exam with us. In some cases, patients with colon cancer do not have any symptoms at all, so it is important to schedule regular screenings even if you feel healthy.
If you are 45 or older, contact one of our offices serving Long Island, Garden City, and East Setauket, NY, to schedule your first screening.
Your safety and health are our top priorities. If you are 45 or older, or if you are experiencing symptoms of a colorectal issue, don’t delay. Contact the Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists of New York today. Our practice has been serving patients throughout Long Island, Garden City, and East Setauket since 2000.
We have:
To make our high-quality care more accessible, our practice has expanded to five office locations. To schedule your screening, request an appointment online or call our Long Island, NY-based practice:
“I had a colonoscopy with Dr. Pappas his facility and staff are top notch he made my feel very comfortable before during and after my colonoscopy.”
We understand that a colonoscopy can seem uncomfortable or unpleasant, so we go above and beyond to ensure that our patients feel comfortable and confident going into their exams.
There are many reasons to undergo this exam at Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists of New York rather than a hospital:
Our mission is to provide effective care in a pleasant setting. Our state-of-the-art facility is certified by the New York State Department of Health. To ensure privacy and comfort, all patients are treated in soundproof rooms.
We use board-certified anesthesiologists to perform each procedure, so you will not experience any discomfort or pain during your colonoscopy. Under sedation, you can expect to remain asleep and have no recollection of the exam.
To ensure accurate detection and the best possible benefits for our patients, our doctors use the most advanced instruments from Olympus—the gold standard in the fields of endoscopy and colonoscopy.
Our team is capable of handling any type of pathology identified during your colonoscopy, and we can always provide safe, effective treatment without referring you to an outside specialist.
Our practice is proud to use the da Vinci Xi Surgical System to perform robotic rectal surgeries. The da Vinci system is equipped with robotic arms that are much smaller and dexterous than human hands, allowing us to perform intricate procedures with greater precision than ever before. Other advantages of minimally invasive, robotic-assisted surgery include:
Using this technology, our surgeons have performed more robotic rectal surgeries than any other practice on Long Island.
In this video, Drs. Dean Pappas and Frank Caliendo introduce the Robotic Surgical Institute at Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists of New York. Robotic surgery is far more precise than traditional techniques, leading to improved patient outcomes. The team at CRSSNY has performed more robotic surgeries than any other practice on Long Island.
See more videosOne to two days before your colonoscopy, you will begin preparing your large intestine. In preparation for your colonoscopy, you will:
During your bowel prep, you should plan to stay home and free of commitments or distractions. Bowel cleansing is an important part of your exam. The cleaner your colon is, the easier it will be for one of our physicians to detect diseases, polyps, and other abnormalities through the colonoscope.
Your procedure will take place at one of our five office locations throughout Long Island and Queens:
Before beginning your exam, we can administer anesthesia to help you relax. For the safety of the patient, all anesthesia is administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist who will monitor your vitals during the procedure. Under anesthesia, you should not feel or remember any part of your exam.
Your exam will take place in one of our soundproof suites. Once you are sedated, one of our colorectal surgeons will insert the colonoscope into the rectum, checking for abnormalities. If he or she discovers a polyp during the test, they may decide to remove it, as polyps can develop into cancer. If they detect other abnormalities such as large polyps or tumors, they will perform a biopsy. During the biopsy, we will examine the abnormal tissue or polyp under a microscope to check for cancerous cells.
You will wake up after your exam with no memory of your procedure, and our doctors will monitor you closely to ensure that there are no negative side effects. Because anesthesia can leave you groggy and disoriented, you will need a trusted friend or family member to drive you home.
Our colorectal surgeons can treat any abnormality found during your exam, so you can receive the care you need without having to find another doctor. All of our doctors are certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Our doctors can collaborate and decide which treatment is best for you.
If possible, we will attempt to treat your condition without surgery. If surgery is necessary, we use endoscopic equipment and advanced surgical technology to precisely target the abnormality and avoid harming healthy surrounding tissue. By using endoscopic tools, we can also promote faster healing and reduce your level of post-operative discomfort.
At Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists of New York, we believe that your health comes first. To provide affordable care, our facility and providers are all in-network with most major insurance companies. This can greatly minimize your costs, allowing you to get the care you need when you need it.
In preparation for your consultation, we encourage you to contact your provider and determine your eligible coverage.
The Colon & Rectal Surgical Specialists of New York provide comfortable, discreet, and private care from five locations throughout Long Island and Queens. Every member of our team is a respected leader in their field, and each is certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery. We provide a complete set of services related to your colorectal health, including:
To request a consultation with our physicians, please fill out our online form or call 516-248-2422.
