Can I Drive a couple hours after colonoscopy?

Some doctors will perform colonoscopy without anesthesia. I always have them without, because I like to watch, and because anesthesia costs a whole day. It is a little uncomfortable and they won't be able to remove any polyps or extract any biopsies. I doubt the colonoscopy center will release you without a driver.
I once had hospital security chasing me around the hospital because the staff didn't realize I hadn't used anesthesia. Some doctors will not perform colonoscopy without anesthesia. If you decide to try it be sure and arrange it at least days before the procedure.
Without anesthesia you can drive, otherwise no.

Neither I nor any of my loved ones have had colonoscopies w/o anesthesia. We have always had someone drive us to appt & back home. I have heard of it done w/o but no experience either this. We have whatever the GI doc recommends.

No normally you can not drive. You need someone to be with you and drive you home and then you need to stay home the rest of evening and night with someone there with you at home who can pay attention to what you are doing so you can’t drive off.

@gently you must have a very high pain threshold, to be able to go through a colonoscopy without anesthesia! 😯 There is no way I could or would! A sigmoidoscopy without anesthesia was bad enough for me!

I've been having colonoscopies since 1993, both with and without anesthesia. I prefer without. Why? First, I can drive myself to the hospital and back. Second, my colonoscopies without anesthesia have never been painful. They've never been a big deal for me. The only time it was even scary was the first time I had one done without anesthesia, and that was because I didn't know what to expect, which was absolutely nothing as in no pain and no grogginess afterwards. On the plus side, I felt like a participant because I could talk with the doctor and nurses and be a part of the party when he had gone as far as he meant to go (lots of applause all around). It was interesting to see what was going on for myself. And when I got home, I appreciated not having the drama of anesthesia wearing off. I could simply get on with my day.

rashida, it hasn't ever been painful, but I think the doctors are really gentle when they know you feel every twist of the scope and they always use the smallest scope. The sigmoid is the most uncomfortable portion of the exam.
The upper endoscopy is close to unbearable because you feel like you are choking. But it's a three minute exam.

I'm a huge fan of having colonoscopies without anesthesia. In my case, I don't like having to ask someone to take off work to sit in a waiting room while I'm getting a colonoscopy. Personally, my biggest problem with having one done without anesthesia is finding doctors who will do it. Since no-anesthesia colonoscopies are the rule, not the exception in many countries, I generally try to find doctors who come from other countries. They also generally know better how to do them without anesthesia. My doctors remove polyps, do everything they would if I were under, and I never feel pain. And it's so nice to get dressed, the go out and get in my own car to drive home!

janchan, thank you. I stand corrected. I'd had been told that polyps could not be removed, they cold snared mine instead of hot snaring. The process is rather clumsy; snaring sound so smooth. It took six bites with a tiny cold claw. They won't take a deep biopsy, though.

No need to explain. Different doctors, different opinions, that's all. Take care!