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Originally Posted by MedicineNet.com

Prior to the procedure an IV is started and the patient is given a monitor for continuous monitoring of the heart, blood pressure, and oxygenation of the blood. Medication is often given through the vein to make the patient sleepy and relaxed. If needed, the patient may receive additional doses during the procedure. Colonoscopy often gives a feeling of pressure, cramping, and bloating, however, with the aid of the medication it is generally well tolerated and rarely causes any significant pain.

Patients will be lying on their left side or back as the instrument is slowly advanced. Once the tip of the colon, or the last portion of the small bowel, is reached the colonoscope is slowly withdrawn and the lining is again carefully examined. The procedure usually takes 15 to 60 minutes. If the entire colon, for some reason, can not be visualized, the physician may decide to try it at a later date with a better bowel preparation or may decide to order an x-ray of the colon.

Taken from Colonoscopy Procedure Screening Exam Information on MedicineNet.com . The quote is from page two.