From what I’ve read, the prep is very ‘involved’ and requires being beside a toilet for most of a day, plus the procedure itself. I know there’s not really such a thing as taking sick days here, but on the opposite end of the spectrum there is sick leave for operations – however what about smaller procedures like this? Obviously I’m planning to ask my company, but it would be helpful to go in knowing others’ experience. Thanks
P.S. if anyone has any recommendations for an English speaking place in Tokyo that would be much appreciated
9 comments
Ask your company for a kancho-yasumi. There are a few special occasions in which good companies will bend the rules and give you a day off or two.
I just took a paid day off without specifying a reason.
Did mine at the Tokyo Midtown Clinic. They speak English. Took a day off for it
I’ve had many a rummage here. I’d say it’s probably worth taking a day either side if you can, just because it’s not an enjoyable experience.
I’ve had one which was in and out in under a day, and another that took a few days. Better be safe than sorry
I’ve had one and I didn’t think it was that bad. My mom had colon cancer and so my family gets them constantly. Everyone talks about how bad it is but it really wasn’t. I would take the “prep day” and the “procedure day” off. You won’t need any more than that. I barely took anytime off. I started prep in the afternoon when I worked from home, had the procedure in the morning and was able to work in the afternoon from home. I was a bit groggy though!
I’ve been to 平塚胃腸病院 in Ikebukuro a few times. It’s basically a colonoscopy factory, but it does have a good reputation as a gastrointestinal hospital. I have no idea if the speak English – although I doubt it.
I took the day off for the actual procedure, but ended up going back to the office anyway. (I asked them not to give me any drugs last time because I don’t like the way they make me feel. The first time I had the drugs and it fucked me up for the whole day.)
Just get it done on a Friday or Saturday.
You have to take the laxatives the night before, which can be a bit painful as it softens up your insides, then you wash it all out by drinking copious amounts of fluid in the morning. Depending on the place they might ask you to do it at home, or they might ask you to come to the clinic and camp out beside the toilet so they can check that you’re completely empty.
You’ll probably be a little tired from the anesthetic, weak from no food, and possibly a bit of pain if they find anything suspicious and extract it, so you’ll want a day to chill and recover afterwards.
Just take a day’s paid leave.
tokyo metropolitan hiroo hospital provide impressive translating service- they assign a translator to attend an app with a dr. and also helping to navigate hospital procedures.
translators go through special training with med vocab, don’t have to try to simplify anything to be understood.
i liked my translator so much, ended up chatting about irrelevant stuff (while waiting for app not during obvs). just be clear you don’t speak jp.
i also had colonoscopy done there. everything took around 5 hours but it can be longer. can request anesthetic or something like that.
You drink stuff early in the morning, crap like crazy, then have the colonoscopy later. Just 1 day. Did it on my day off. Time off wasn’t necessary in that case.
Mom, grandmother, cousin, partner all had colon cancer at various stages. Cousin died at 57 or so because she never had a test. Partner cancer was found earlyish at age 42. Operation cured her. The colonoscopy saved her life