★★★★★
“Dr Ahmad is an extremely professional and knowledgeable doctor that instills confidence in his patient. Despite an unexpected event during a colonoscopy he was calm and reassuring and I cannot fault his aftercare.”
Polyp removal
Polyp removal (polypectomy) is a procedure to remove growths from the lining of your large bowel before they have the chance to cause problems. Removing polyps is one of the most effective ways to help reduce your risk of bowel cancer. Dr Ahmad aims to remove them safely during the same procedure and send them for testing, so you get answers and treatment in one visit.
- Specialist colonoscopist at St Mark’s National Bowel Hospital
- PhD in colonoscopy
- 4,500+ procedures
Call 07435 081678
Consultations usually available within 1 to 2 weeks, including evenings and weekends, in person or remotely.
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy uses a thin, flexible camera to examine the whole lining of your large bowel. It can help find the cause of symptoms such as bleeding, abdominal pain, a change in bowel habit or anaemia. If polyps are found, Dr Ahmad can usually remove them during the same procedure and take biopsies if needed, to help avoid a second visit.
Specialist colonoscopist at St Mark’s National Bowel Hospital · PhD in
colonoscopy · 4,500+ procedures.
Consultations usually available within 1 to 2 weeks, including evenings
and weekends, in person or remotely.
4.97
Out of 5
Rated on
22 verified patient reviews
Consultant at
The procedure
Polyp removal at a glance
The key facts about your polyp removal with Dr Ahmir Ahmad, from preparation to results.
How long
The procedure usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size and number of polyps.
Your visit
Plan for around half a day, including recovery.
Comfort
Choose from no sedation, light sedation or, at Welbeck London, deeper sedation given by an anaesthetist.
Before
A pre-assessment call, a low-fibre diet, then a bowel-cleansing preparation. If you take blood-thinning medicines, you will be told whether to adjust them beforehand.
Results
Your report is shared via your secure patient portal on the day. Removed polyps are sent to the laboratory, and you’ll have a clinic follow-up about two weeks later to go through the results and any follow-up plan.
Where
Welbeck London (Marylebone), Nuffield Health Brentwood Hospital, Spire Hartswood Hospital (Brentwood) and St Mark’s TrustPlus at Northwick Park Hospital (Harrow).
The procedure
What polyp removal involves
Removing polyps before they have the chance to cause problems
Polyp removal (polypectomy) is carried out during a colonoscopy. A thin, flexible camera is guided around your large bowel, and any polyps Dr Ahmad finds are removed with small instruments passed through the scope, if it is safe to do so at the time. Removing polyps is one of the most effective ways to help reduce your risk of bowel cancer.
Dr Ahmad carries out every procedure himself, supported by the hospital’s experienced endoscopy nursing team. Polyp removal usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size and number of polyps. Multiple or very large polyps may need a separate, planned procedure.
- A pre-assessment call, then a low-fibre diet and bowel preparation, with advice on any blood-thinning medicines
- Choice of no sedation, light sedation or, at Welbeck London, deeper sedation given by an anaesthetist
- Home the same day
- Findings explained and your report shared on the day, with removed polyps sent for testing
Dr Ahmad chooses the technique that suits each polyp’s size, shape and position.
Polypectomy and EMR: removing polyps safely, whatever their size
The technique depends on the size, shape and position of each polyp. Dr Ahmad chooses the safest option for you, and in most cases removal happens during the same colonoscopy.
| Polypectomy | Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) | |
|---|---|---|
| Used for | Small and medium polyps | Larger or flatter polyps |
| How it is done | The polyp is removed with a thin wire loop or small forceps | A small injection first lifts the polyp away from the bowel wall, then it is removed with a wire loop |
| After removal | Usually no further steps are needed | A small clip may be placed to protect the area |
| Testing | Every polyp removed is sent to the laboratory | Every polyp removed is sent to the laboratory |
| Surgery | Not usually needed | Can often avoid the need for surgery |
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Polypectomy is used for
- Small and medium polyps
- Polyps that can be removed safely with a wire loop or small forceps
- Removal during the same colonoscopy, when it is safe to do so
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EMR is used for
- Larger or flatter polyps
- Polyps that are safer to remove after being lifted with a small injection
- Cases where it may help you avoid surgery
If a polyp is very large or complex, its removal may be planned as a separate procedure.
What to expect
How a polyp is removed during your colonoscopy.
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Finding the polyp
Dr Ahmad passes the colonoscope through your bowel and examines each polyp to decide how best to remove it.
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Removal
He removes the polyp with a wire loop or small forceps. For a larger polyp, a small injection lifts it first (EMR). You won’t feel the removal itself.
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Protecting the area
If needed, he places a small clip over the area where the polyp was removed.
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Testing and recovery
Every polyp is sent to the laboratory. You may have mild cramping or bloating afterwards, and the team will tell you which symptoms need urgent attention.
Dr Ahmad will explain which technique suits you, and the risks, before you give your consent.
Book a consultationYour appointment
What happens on the day
From arrival to going home, plan for around half a day, including preparation, the removal procedure and recovery.
Step 1: Before the day
The pre-assessment team will contact you to review your medical history and medicines. Some, such as blood thinners, may need adjusting beforehand to lower the risk of bleeding. They’ll also explain how to take your bowel preparation so your bowel is clear enough for the polyps to be seen and removed safely.
Step 2: Arrive and settle in
A nurse will admit you and check your details. Dr Ahmad will explain how the polyps will be removed, what the risks are, and answer your questions before asking for your consent. The anaesthetist will also see you to discuss your sedation options.
Step 3: The polyp removal
Dr Ahmad guides the colonoscope through your large bowel and removes any polyps using a thin wire loop or small forceps. You won’t feel the removal itself. Every polyp is sent to the laboratory for testing. If one is very large, its removal may be planned as a separate procedure.
Step 4: Recover and go home
You’ll rest in the recovery area with a drink and a light snack. Dr Ahmad will explain what was removed, and our team will tell you which symptoms need urgent attention. Results will be shared through your secure patient portal. If you had sedation, an adult must take you home, and you shouldn’t drive, drink alcohol or sign important documents for 24 hours.
Why choose Dr Ahmad for polyp removal?
Safe removal, clear answers and support at every step.
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Consultant-led care
Dr Ahmad removes your polyps himself. He is a consultant gastroenterologist with a PhD in colonoscopy, has published on the procedure and has carried out more than 4,500 procedures.
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Removed in one visit
Polyps are removed during your procedure when it is safe to do so, so you often avoid a second visit. Multiple or very large polyps may need a separate, planned therapeutic procedure.
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Your comfort matters
You won't feel the removal itself. Dr Ahmad uses modern water-assisted insertion techniques to help improve comfort, and you can choose the level of sedation or pain relief that suits you.
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Clear answers and results
Dr Ahmad explains what he removed before you go home, and your report is shared with your secure patient portal. Every polyp is tested, and he’ll review the results with you in clinic about two weeks later.
Polyp removal quality you can check
Polyps are found and removed during colonoscopy, so these figures show how thoroughly Dr Ahmad looks for them. Results are from the National Endoscopy Database, January 2025 to October 2026 (421 colonoscopies).
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Polyp detection rate
53%
How often polyps are found. Polyps can develop into bowel cancer, so finding and removing them matters.
The standardNational minimum standard: 15% · aspirational target: 20%
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Average withdrawal time
14minutes
and above 10 minutes in every quarter
The time spent carefully examining the bowel lining on the way out, when most polyps are found.
The standardNational minimum standard: mean of at least 6 minutes · aspirational target: mean of at least 10 minutes
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Caecal intubation rate
96%
How often the camera reaches the far end of the bowel, so polyps can be looked for along the whole colon.
The standardNational minimum standard: 90% · aspirational target: 95%
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Polyp retrieval
Around99%
How often removed polyps are recovered and sent to the laboratory. The results confirm what was removed and guide any further treatment or surveillance.
The standardNational minimum standard: 90%
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Comfort
Fewer than2%
with moderate or severe discomfort
Over 98% of procedures were assessed as causing no more than mild discomfort. Around a third were performed without sedation.
The standardBSG aim: fewer than 10% of patients with moderate or severe discomfort
These figures are from Dr Ahmad’s own audited data and are not a guarantee of individual outcomes.
Book a consultation
Your specialist, Dr Ahmir Ahmad
Consultant Gastroenterologist & Endoscopist
Dr Ahmad qualified in medicine from University College London in 2010. He completed a four year specialist endoscopy fellowship at St Mark’s Hospital from 2018 to 2022, and a PhD at Imperial College London in 2023 focused on improving the quality and efficiency of colonoscopy, the foundation for finding polyps reliably. His specialist interests include complex polyp removal, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and optical diagnosis, which helps decide how each polyp is best treated. He continues to perform colonoscopy and polyp removal at St Mark’s, the National Bowel Hospital, and has carried out more than 4,500 procedures.
- Qualifications MBBS, BSc, MRCP, PhD
- Professional registration GMC 7090128 · Specialist Register
- Practises at Welbeck London · Nuffield Health Brentwood Hospital · Spire Hartswood Hospital · St Mark’s TrustPlus, Northwick Park Hospital
- Experience 4,500+ procedures
Medically reviewed by Dr Ahmir Ahmad. Last reviewed 20 October 2026.
Testimonials
What patients say
How patients felt before, during and after their procedure.
★★★★★
“I have absolute faith in Dr Ahmad, he is concise and caring at the same time and always checks to make sure that you know what’s what.”
★★★★★
“Dr Ahmir made me feel so comfortable and safe and informed throughout my consultations and procedure. I was very nervous but his professionalism and care made the entire process very comfortable and I would highly recommend him. Thank you!”
★★★★★
“Dr Ahmad was friendly and professional and very reassuring from the first moment of my consultation, taking time to explain everything. This continued on my procedure day and along with Dr Ahmad, his team at One Wellbeck were all kind and provided the support I needed when I was nervous. Everyone was really great.”
★★★★★
“Dr Ahmad is very professional and has excellent personal skills. I felt immediately impressed and assured on his high level of expertise. Took a good amount of time to throughly look at my issues. Then reacted immediately with a quick plan to move forward. Excellent professional.”
Frequently asked questions
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A polypectomy is a procedure to remove polyps, which are small growths on the lining of the bowel. It is usually done during a colonoscopy. Removing polyps matters because some can develop into bowel cancer over time. Larger or flatter polyps may be removed using a technique called endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR).
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Dr Ahmad passes a colonoscope, a thin flexible tube with a camera, through your bowel to find the polyps. He then removes them using a thin wire loop or small forceps. For larger polyps, he may first lift the lining with a small injection (EMR) so the polyp can be removed safely. Every polyp removed is sent to the laboratory for testing.
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Follow the instructions from your doctor and the pre-assessment team. These usually include taking your bowel preparation, adjusting certain medicines, such as blood thinners, and avoiding food and drink before the procedure. Your instructions will depend on your health and the type of polyp removal you need.
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No. You won’t feel the removal itself, and sedation or pain relief is available if you want it. Afterwards, you may have mild cramping, bloating or wind, which usually settles within a day or two.
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A polypectomy is generally safe, but like any procedure it carries some risks. The most common is bleeding, which can happen during the procedure or in the days or weeks afterwards. Rarely, the bowel wall can be damaged (a perforation). The risk depends on the size and position of the polyps, the technique used and your general health. Dr Ahmad will explain the risks, and how they apply to you, before you give your consent.
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Most people recover within a few days and can return to normal activities soon afterwards. You may have mild cramping, bloating or a little light bleeding for a short time. If you have heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain or a fever, contact the clinic or seek urgent medical help straight away. If you had sedation, you’ll need an adult to take you home, and you shouldn’t drive, drink alcohol or sign important documents for 24 hours.
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They are sent to the laboratory, where they are examined under a microscope. The results show what type of polyps they were and whether any further treatment or follow-up is needed. Dr Ahmad will review the results with you in clinic.
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Yes, new polyps can develop over time, even after complete removal. This is why some people are advised to have follow-up colonoscopies. Dr Ahmad will recommend a plan based on what was found.
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It depends on your insurer, your policy and whether the procedure is medically necessary. Check your cover with your provider before your appointment, and our team can help with the information they need.
Get in touch
Have a question about colonoscopy? We’re happy to help.
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Call now
Phone
07435 081678Dr Ahmad’s secretary, office hours
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Locations
- Welbeck London, Marylebone
- Nuffield Health Brentwood Hospital, Brentwood
- Spire Hartswood Hospital, Brentwood
- St Mark’s TrustPlus, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow
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Send an email
Email
clinic@drahmirahmad.com
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Clinic times
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Monday
12:00–14:00Welbeck London
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Tuesday
08:00–09:00St Mark’s TrustPlus
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Wednesday
10:30–12:00Spire Hartswood14:00–16:00Nuffield Health Brentwood18:00–20:00Welbeck London
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Alternate Saturdays
09:00–11:00Spire Hartswood or Nuffield Health Brentwood
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Monday
Get in touch
Have a question about colonoscopy? We’re happy to help.
-
Call now
Phone
Dr Ahmad’s secretary (office hours): 07435 081678
-
Locations
- Welbeck London, Marylebone
- Nuffield Health Brentwood Hospital, Brentwood
- Spire Hartswood Hospital, Brentwood
- St Mark’s TrustPlus, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow
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Send an email
Email
clinic@drahmirahmad.com
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Clinic times
- Mon 12:00–14:00 (Welbeck London)
- Tue 08:00–09:00 (St Mark’s TrustPlus)
- Wed 10:30–12:00 (Spire Hartswood), 14:00–16:00 (Nuffield Health Brentwood), 18:00–20:00 (Welbeck London)
- Alternate Saturdays 09:00–11:00 (Nuffield Health Brentwood)
Advice after your procedure
Office hours
Contact Dr Ahmad’s secretary on 07435 081678 or at clinic@drahmirahmad.com.
- Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm
Out of hours
Contact the hospital where you were treated for advice:
- Spire Hartswood Hospital 01277 232525
- Nuffield Health Brentwood Hospital 01277 695695
- Welbeck London 020 3653 2004
- St Mark’s TrustPlus, Northwick Park Hospital 020 8864 3232
Looking for a polyp removal specialist?
See Dr Ahmad at Welbeck London in Marylebone, Nuffield Health Brentwood Hospital or Spire Hartswood Hospital in Brentwood, Essex, or St Mark’s TrustPlus at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow. Consultations are available in person, by video or by phone.