Most of the time, patients need about a full day to recover following a colonoscopy exam, and some patients feel well enough to maintain their everyday activities the subsequent day. If colon polyps are removed, the recovery time will likely last about a week. It is expected for you to notice some abdominal discomfort following a colon cancer screening, including bloating and cramping. Our GastroGroup and Endocenter team will go over additional details about what you can expect while you recover.