Book in directly for your Colonoscopy
Skip the waitlist and enjoy the convenience of booking directly in for your colonoscopy with a trusted, experienced specialist at two convenient locations in Sydney.
Meet Your Doctor
Dr Santosh Sanagapalli (BSc MBBS FRACP) is an alumnus of the University of New South Wales medical school. Following medical school, he completed his specialist training in Gastroenterology and Endoscopy at St Vincent’s Hospital and Concord Hospital in Sydney. He then undertook further subspecialty training at the University College London Hospital, UK, one of London’s most prestigious teaching hospitals. He has performed over 1000 colonoscopies and is highly experienced in all facets of diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy. He performs procedures at St Vincent's Private Hospital, Darlinghurst, and the Alexandria Specialist Day Hospital.
Why Dr Santosh Sanagapalli for your colonoscopy?
No wait
Have your procedure performed within 1-2 weeks
​
State of the art facilities at two of Sydney's leading hospitals
Choice of St Vincent's Private Hospital, Darlinghurst, or Alexandria Specialist Day Hospital.
​
Highly experienced practitioner
More than 1,000 colonoscopies performed, so you know you are in safe hands.
​
No Gap provider
We bill your private health fund directly - no bill payable by you. If you don't have health insurance, we will provide an itemised quote before the procedure.
​
Communication
Ensuring you are fully informed and at ease is paramount, and you will be provided with the findings of the colonoscopy on the day. Reports will also be promptly sent to your GP.
Frequently asked questions
General Questions
What does "Direct to colonoscopy" mean?
You may already know you need a colonoscopy - for example, you may have it performed regularly every few years or have already been advised by your GP that you need one. In these cases, you can save time, hassle and expense by going direct to colonoscopy without an extra visit for a consultation prior. Your specialist will still review your history and speak to you immediately prior to the procedure.
Is going direct to colonoscopy suitable for everyone?
Direct to colonoscopy is suitable for most patients who are below the age of 80 and in good general health. When we receive your referral letter, our specialist will check it to make sure you are suitable. If there is any concern, we will ask you to attend for a formal consultation prior to colonoscopy.
Can I attend for a consultation prior to colonoscopy?
Yes, of course. If your preference is to have a formal consultation in the private rooms before booking in for your colonoscopy, then we can certainly accommodate this for you.
How quickly can I have my colonoscopy performed?
We can usually fit you in within 1-2 weeks.
How much will the colonoscopy cost?
If you are covered with private health insurance, then we will bill the insurer directly and we do not require any payment from you (No Gap billing). The anaesthetists and pathology providers that we use are also No Gap providers, so you will not receive any invoices from them either.
Where will the colonoscopy be performed?
You have the choice of having your colonoscopy performed at two convenient locations in Sydney - St Vincent's Private Hospital in Darlinghurst, or the Alexandria Specialist Day Hospital.
Who will be performing my colonoscopy?
All procedures will be personally performed by your private specialist Dr Santosh Sanagapalli, a consultant gastroenterologist and accredited diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopist. He is a specialist accredited with the Gastroenterological Society of Australia, and fully accredited by the Conjoint Committee for performing colonoscopy, and is highly experienced having performed over 1000 colonoscopies.
Why do I need a referral letter?
Firstly, so that we can confirm that colonoscopy is appropriate for you. Secondly, so that we know your referring doctor's details so that we can send the reports to them. Thirdly, so that we can bill Medicare and/or your private health fund on your behalf.
About Colonoscopy
What is a colonoscopy?
What are the reasons to have a colonoscopy performed?
How do I prepare for colonoscopy?
What happens during a colonoscopy?
Once you are comfortably asleep, your specialist will pass the scope through your anus (back passage) and into the colon. The scope is then gently further advanced all the way to the right side of the colon, and often, into the ileum (final segment of small intestine). The lining of the bowel is washed with water sprayed from the tip of the scope, to ensure that every part can be clearly seen. Minor remaining debris or residue can be suctioned through the scope. The entire bowel lining is closely inspected for any abnormalities. Modern colonoscopes have accessories including a special light filter and optical magnification which can be turned on to allow a highly detailed image to be obtained. If necessary, biopsies can be taken through a channel in the colonoscope. If abnormalities are noted, various therapeutic interventions can be performed at the same time (see below). The colonoscopy ordinarily takes no more than 30 minutes in total.
What are colon (bowel) polyps and why are they important
What is a polypectomy?
Polypectomy refers to the removal of colonic polyps during a colonoscopy. The majority of polyps are removed using a wire loop called a snare, which is passed through the colonoscope and carefully positioned around the polyp. The removed polyp tissue can then be captured, collected and sent to the lab for analysis under the microscope.
Will I feel anything during my colonoscopy? Does it hurt?
In short, the answer is no. You may have heard stories of people having very unpleasant or painful colonoscopies, but this is no longer the case with the methods used in our practice. All patients having their colonoscopy performed by Dr Santosh will have a specialist anaesthetist present, who will ensure they are comfortable for the procedure. The anaesthesia used provides deep sedation without the need for general anaesthesia, so is safer. Practically, this means that you will be deeply asleep while the procedure is performed, and will not feel or remember anything.
What should I expect after my colonoscopy?
Is colonoscopy safe?
Yes. Colonoscopy is deemed a low-risk procedure and is very safe when performed by an experienced gastroenterologist. Nowadays, serious complications are uncommon. Even if such rare complications occur, they can often by treated and controlled using instruments passed through the colonoscope.
Can upper GI endoscopy be performed at the same time as colonoscopy?
Yes, an upper endoscopy (also termed gastroscopy) can be performed at the same time as colonoscopy. No extra preparation is required, and they can be performed under the same anaesthesia. Let our staff know if you need both procedures performed.