Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy uses a thin, flexible camera to give your doctor a direct view of the bowel lining, one of the most reliable ways to detect polyps, inflammation, and colorectal cancer early.
Preparing for your colonoscopy
A well-prepared bowel means your doctor can see everything clearly, reducing the risk of missed findings and the need to repeat the procedure.
The instructions that apply when you have a colonoscopy at Elfcare are also included in the confirmation you receive ahead of your scheduled appointment, so you always have them close at hand. If anything differs from what your doctor has communicated to you, what your doctor has sent always takes precedence.
Start by visiting the pharmacy
Before the procedure, you'll need to purchase Plenvu, an over-the-counter laxative from the pharmacy. This is what you'll take to empty your bowel, divided into two doses: one the day before and one on the day of the procedure.
-
Three days before the procedure, adjust your diet and pause certain supplements:
Avoid foods containing seeds, pips, or hard-to-digest ingredients, such as flaxseed, raspberries, kiwi, grapes, tomatoes, asparagus, corn, nuts, and Brussels sprouts. These leave residue that the laxative has difficulty flushing away.
Avoid iron tablets, omega-3 supplements, and bulk-forming laxatives. Iron darkens the intestinal lining and reduces visibility; bulk-forming agents counteract the emptying process.
If you tend toward constipation: purchase an over-the-counter laxative such as Lactulose or Movicol and take it twice daily.
Some medications may need to be paused or adjusted before a colonoscopy, this is always done in consultation with your doctor.
-
A step-by-step guide to preparing the day before your colonoscopy:
Eat breakfast as normal.
After breakfast, switch to liquids only.
After 1:00 PM: clear fluids only — such as water, squash, broth, coffee, tea, or sports drinks. Avoid cloudy liquids.
Between 4:00 and 6:00 PM: Plenvu, dose 1 (mango).
Mix in 500 ml of cold water and stir until the liquid clears — this can take 6 to 8 minutes.
Drink 100 ml of water first, then take Plenvu.
Follow up with at least 500 ml of clear fluid within one hour.
-
Five hours before your scheduled appointment: Plenvu, dose 2 (tutti-frutti).
Mix sachet A and B in 500 ml of cold water.
Drink 100 ml of water first, then take Plenvu.
Follow up with at least 500 ml of clear fluid within one hour.
Continue drinking clear fluids up until the procedure.
The laxative will cause frequent trips to the bathroom over several hours, this is completely normal. The goal is for the stool to eventually be clear and yellowish, similar in appearance to urine. When that happens, you know your bowel is clean.
Tips to make the process easier
Some people find the taste or volume of the laxative difficult. A few things that tend to help:
Drink the solution cold - chilling it in the fridge makes it easier to get down.
Use a straw positioned further back in the mouth to reduce the taste.
A throat lozenge or ice lolly between glasses can help, as long as it counts as a clear fluid.
Stay at home from the moment you start drinking, the effect can come on quickly.
Soft toilet paper and a barrier cream will protect your skin after frequent bathroom visits.
Line up something to watch or listen to, a series or a podcast makes the hours pass faster than you'd expect.
How does a colonoscopy work?
During the procedure
The procedure itself usually takes between 20 and 45 minutes. You'll lie on your side while the doctor gently guides the colonoscope through the rectum and around the large intestine. Air or carbon dioxide is used to slightly expand the bowel for better visibility, which can create a sensation of pressure or bloating.
Many people get through the procedure with mild discomfort rather than pain, but experiences vary, and asking for sedation is always a reasonable choice.
After the procedure
You can usually go home within an hour. Bloating and gas are common for a few hours afterward as the air leaves the bowel. If you've been given a sedative, you'll need someone to accompany you home and should avoid driving for the rest of the day.
Does a colonoscopy hurt?
Usually it doesn't hurt, but it can feel uncomfortable. You may notice a sensation when the colonoscope is inserted and occasionally as it moves through the bowel.
Discomfort varies from person to person, and factors such as previous abdominal surgery can make the procedure more sensitive. If you're feeling anxious, bring it up with your doctor.
What can a colonoscopy detect?
A colonoscopy gives your doctor a direct view of the entire large intestine, making it one of the most reliable tools for identifying changes in the bowel:
Polyps - small growths on the intestinal lining that in some cases can develop into cancer over time, and which can often be removed during the procedure itself
Colorectal cancer - detected at an early and more treatable stage
Inflammatory bowel disease - including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
Diverticular disease - small pouches that can form in the bowel wall
Sources of bleeding - unexplained blood in the stool can be traced and assessed
Other structural changes - such as narrowing or abnormalities in the bowel lining
Colonoscopy at Elfcare
Colonoscopy is available as an add-on to Elfcare's full-body health check for 10 000 SEK. The procedure is performed by experienced specialists at our diagnostic partners, and any findings are incorporated into the same report and follow-up consultation as the rest of your health examination. Your Elfcare doctor reviews the results with you and guides you through the next steps if anything is found.
If you wish to examine the colon only, please contact us by email. Price for a standalone Colonoscopy: 14 000 SEK.
Book your health check
Elfcare's full-body health check gives you a complete picture of your health, including a full-body MRI, comprehensive blood tests, and a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.
The price is 35,000 SEK.
Leave your details and we'll be in touch with a booking link. We always have slots available within the same week.
750+ patients
Since founding in 2024, over 750 people have trusted Elfcare with their health.
5.0 rating
Rated 5 out of 5 on Google Reviews. From patients who recommend us to the people they care about.
Personalized plan
A specialist physician reviews your results and builds a health plan around you. Your body, your biology, your next steps.
9 cities
Now available in 9 cities across Sweden , with more locations coming.
FAQ - Colonoscopy
-
For three days before the procedure, avoid foods containing seeds, pips, or hard-to-digest ingredients, such as flaxseed, raspberries, kiwi, grapes, tomatoes, corn, and nuts.
The day before, eat breakfast as normal and then switch to liquids only. After 1:00 PM, clear fluids only.
-
The procedure itself usually takes between 20 and 45 minutes. Plan for two to three hours at the clinic in total, including preparation and recovery.
-
Yes, most people can return to normal activities the same evening or the following day. If you've had sedation, take the rest of the examination day off.
-
Colonoscopy costs 10,000 SEK when added to your Elfcare health check, or 14,000 SEK as a standalone procedure.
-
Yes. Colonoscopy is available as an add-on to the health check. Any findings are included in your combined report and reviewed alongside your MRI and blood test results at your follow-up consultation.
-
If you'd like to add it to your full-body health check, simply mention it at your first appointment with your doctor, or let us know when you book. If you'd like to book a colonoscopy on its own, reach out to us at hello@elf.care.