Q: I have completed my second rectal fistulotomy surgery and now I am recovering. I went for a colonoscopy prior to my fistulas. After the colonoscopy I developed severe pain in my rectal area. The doctor who performed the colonoscopy referred me to a rectal surgeon. Did the colonoscopy cause this year long pain?

A:Colonoscopy is a very safe endoscopic procedure. It is very unlikely that it is the cause of your long standing rectal pain. It does cause abdominal discomfort during the procedure itself, but this almost always disappears in a day or two.