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Burning Questions

The Last Gas

Dr. Paul Nassif explains the importance of colonoscopies and why he was so full of hot air.

Jan 23, 2012

On this week's episode, as many of you know, I got a colonoscopy. The American Cancer Society recommends that once you're past 50, you should schedule procedures like this regularly or risk something far more serious. I'm not past 50 yet, but I'm close enough -- and I was in the office for an upper endoscopy due to reflux anyway. So what you saw was the aftermath of me trying to be proactive and responsible.

And yes, it was a little funny to watch.

I'm lucky to know Dr. Marc Edelstein, who is not only a friend but also a great physician. He tells me that that colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening, and that screening allows doctors to find and remove any problem polyps. Since colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., it's key to catch any potential issues early.

Which brings us to the procedure.

There's not much that's pleasant about a colonoscopy. The preparation includes a liquid fast and colon cleansing beforehand (that’s the worst part) so the doctor can have a clean slate. I had to have the enema because I couldn’t finish the medicine that makes you empty your colon. Next, the anesthesiologist sedates you for the procedure. Take it from someone who's been on both sides of that mask: I prefer to be supervising the anesthesiologist rather than the other way around! It's routine for doctors to introduce air into your colon, which helps them with visibility. This air, once the procedure is completed, has to escape. Which is what you heard on Monday's episode.

So, if Adrienne says I'm full of hot air, I reply (with all due respect) that it's in the name of early detection and good health.

For more info, check out my websites RhinoplastySpecialist.com and SpaldingPlasticSurgery.com.

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Adrienne and Paul, You two are my favorite on the show. I'm glad you showed how important getting colonoscopy is. Paul, you have a great sense of humore and You and your wife are for real and not a phony couple in Beverly Hills. Adrienne, You should maybe live the cooking to your crabby chef. Love you two. Elizabeth

Thank you for sharing this personal, yet necessary procedure. Glad you checked out ok. I love you and Adrienne on this show and must admit, I was laughing out loud during this scene.

You were so funny- I laughed soooooooo hard the tears were pouring down my face. You definitely made my night

I was feeling pretty drained from the laxatives and was most concerned about the possibility of squirting in my pants prior to my own procedure. I was so embarrassed to be powerless over passing air after my colonoscopy. Absolutely no one there had told me about the part of the procedure where air is introduced and its inevitable escape. I should have been warned.

Thank you for sharing your experience. Somehow, it made me feel better. I was passing air in front of just a couple of people and you were willing to do this in front of a television audience. You are really something!

You and Adrienne always make me laugh. I love you guys.

Thank you for getting the word outl. I love you on the show. you crack me up.

Reminds me of the Johnny Cash song... ' The Ring Of Fire.'

Paul you were so funny it was a GAS. I never laughed so hard then I did this past episode when you called your lovely wife in the bathroom to assist you in giving you an enema.I was thinking yeah right. I hope you let your boys watch you after the colonoscopy . You know how boys are about the sounds of flatulence. Even if it was just hot air. You know you'd be pretty easy for funny Kyle to imitate you. I want to see it. " Adrienne, Adrienne, help. Adrienne, Adrienne, where are you. Adrienne. You're a character. A character with emerald eyes and a beautiful wife.

Well done Dr Paul! Yes, as a healthcare professional myself I know firsthand the importance of regular checkups for colon cancer. I lost a friend when she was only 38 years old! I have to say, I laughed until tears ran down my face, when you were sedated and saying, 'oh no! air is coming out!' . There are times as Nurses we get the inappropriate laughter coming on and it can be murder to suppress, especially when we look at each other! God bless you for putting yourself out there for the good of people who may not have this very important procedure done. You have lucky patients indeed, you are a true professional.

I loved this episode just for this part of the procedure. I was laughing so hard I woke my sleeping husband up. Hilarious. I like that you are informing us of the importance and don't take yourself too seriously. You are such a great man. Best of luck to you and your family and god bless you all.

You two crack me up! You're totally REAL...I have to admit...Adrienne doesn't look the Florence Nightengale type (but I'll bet she is with the children!!!). Your love shines through everything, and your combined moral foundation, built on Faith, Love and Fidelity is refreshing. God bless you both!!!!

To go through the procedure looking cute and not gross and creepy - thats an achievement! Did everything came out ok?

I expect there are lots of people with good colonoscopy stories. When I went with my mother for hers, as we were in the recovery room there was an older and obviously very "proper" woman who absolutely refused to pass gas after her procedure. The nurse kept telling her it was OK .. that everyone else in the room was doing the same thing and it was just the air but she absolutely refused. Can only assume the explosion must have registered on the richter scale when she finally did ....

Paul-

You are a real sport! And I must say, adorable while waking from anesthesia ;-)

I remember taking my mother in for her colonoscopy and she was too embarassed to 'let it all out' while she was in the hospital for fear of not being 'ladylike'. I'm glad you let viewers know that EVERYONE who gets a colonoscopy, including Adrienne, passes gas after recieving one. The hospital staff encounters this after every procedure, so it's no big deal to them.

My mother 'held it all in' while she was at the hospital and by the time I drove her home, she was keeled over and had bad cramping because of it.

Thanks!

Paul,

I absolutely LOVE you and Adrienne! You two are great together, even though you're the Bickerson's. Both of you are intelligent, level headed, talented, successful, fun loving, friendly, compassionate and understanding. THAT makes for great TV, because RARELY do we get see one person who possesses all of those qualities on a consistent basis... yet we get to see TWO people who do. Don't ever leave the show.

You are a brave man to put yourself out there with the test. It isn't pleasant or pretty to do but you possibly saved a life by showing it is not as bad as we imagine it will be. I have really enjoyed you this season. You are so reasonable and calm during the storms of hissy fits. I loved how you gently but firmly confronted Kim and Taylor.

I had a colonoscopy about a year ago, unfortunately, I was awake for the entire procedure, not something I would recommend! The pain was horrible! I was in a lot of pain afterwards as well. I agree that it is something that needs to be done, but it isn't always a "simple" procedure. You definitely do not want to be awake during it! I love watching both you & Adrienne! Glad your tests all turned out well.

Excellent! I was watching the show with my best friend who is recovering from colon cancer treatment. The procedure was all too familiar and it was nice to actually see this on television. Mainstream media glosses over this stuff which, like life, is honest and hysterical at the same time. Paul, it was like watching our favorite uncle endure and that makes it okay for us to endure as well. You are a great person and we loved watching you on the show.

My gosh, Paul, what a pleasure to be able to send a blog directly to you! You and Adrienne were an absolute riot. I always thought that the campfire scene in "Blazing Saddles" was only so-so (not typically my type of humor), but you had me laughing out loud!

Thank you for reminding us of the importance of having this procedure done regularly. And bless you for doing it with humor--there's no room for fear when you're laughing!

You were lucky, medications don't work on me so I was totally awake for the whole procedure. I can tell you that you want to be out for it.

I was wondering about the enema! I just had it done and I know there was NOTHING left to clean out by the time I got in for my procedure. Everyone should go in. It really isn't a big deal. But why would you want her to help you with the enema???? lmao!

Love you for enduring a colonoscopy on the show. You rock!

My husband and I both agree that you're our favorite on this show! Kudos!

Thanks for the best laugh ever! Love you and Adrienne for keeping it real.

Dr. Paul, Keep being you! You are so much fun to watch and a voice of reason amongst the ladies. Jess

You were hilarious and a good sport! It was awesome...I am still crying of laughter!

Paul, you had me crying I was laughing so hard. Everytime you said "Oh noooo" I started laughing uncontrollably. I love you!

I LOVE Paul & Adrienne!!! The colonoscopy was hilarious but also a must! I wish the Beverly Hills wives were on all year long :(

Not only are you totally hot - you are a really good guy! Best wishes!

i love you paul!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love you, Paul! If I had the means, I'd fly to LA tomorrow to have you as my plastic surgeon - my dream. Your bedside manner is amazing and you seem like such a caring surgeon.

Glad your colonoscopy gave you a clean bill of health!

How great you are to share this with everyone. It is not what I would call a humorous moment, but more of an embarasssing one. The great thing is that everyone has the same result with the air and it is nice for people to see even a DR. on TV has to "let the air" out.

I called my 50 yr old hubby in the room to replay your hilarious scene and he laughed hard and went back to his man cave. A little while later, he said he should probably think about setting up an appointment. Wow! Thank you for enlightening all of us and I'm sure many others will do the same. Who knows, your funny scene and very brave experience may have saved a life!

Thanks for sharing - it was such a funny, made-for-tv but not-made-for-tv moment! I've really enjoyed your contributions both seasons and hope to see you and Adrienne back in season 3. I wish she was nicer to you though. Your Bickersons dynamic is fun to watch, but it seems like it's a bit more real than that. She needs to loosen up a bit sometimes. I suggest some sort of family adventure-destination trip, with some healthy competitive activites and some adult-time. Hard to schedule, I'm sure, but it would probably be an awesome family bonding experience!

One of the best things about RHOBH, the husbands stay out of the spotlight. Lisa, Kyle and Adrienne are blessed to have such great guys.

Ok, maybe Paul was in the spotlight this time and I bet there have been hundreds of colonoscopy's scheduled just from watching the show. We look forward to the other guys procedure!

Yay - we got to hear from Paul!!! Paul, you are a breath of fresh air on this show and you crack me up!!! Thanks so much for sharing the colonscopy, I know for some it could be embarrassing but you were hysterical and you made me think of scheduling my own!!! I just turned 50 and had one appt. but canceled that - today I call!!! Thanks for sharing and being a fun guy to watch on tv!!! Adrienne's a lucky girl!

You are the cutest thing! You always make me laugh.

We love you Paul, and my husband is scheduling his colonoscopy. He is overdue and had told me he had one earlier. Well, thanks for the heads up not to have my 11 year old son around since everything funny has to do with passing gas for him-gee when does that humor quit ! I also enjoy seeing you laugh with Brandi, we love you !

Will be missing you for a while. Hope you will be back for Season 3!

You and Katie Couric have probably saved thousands of lives. Thank you for reminding us that this procedure, while not especially fun, is very necessary. Well done!

Paul you are the best one on the show. What a super hero you are to have a colonoscopy on the show and let others know there is nothing to fear. But just know that your beautiful wife Adrienne may be a touch of class....not ass (yours). This part of the show was so funny. I had to get my husband to watch the rerun with me. He has refused to have a colonoscopy but now has promised to schedule one. Thank you Paul.

This was by far the FUNNIEST moment in Housewives History! Even my husband enjoyed this episode! Adrienne reacted the way I would have and I had tears of laughter during that entire segment! Glad it all 'came out' okay and that you are healthy!! It's been a gas this season!

Paul, You were hilarious the way you kept saying "Oh no!". It was so cute. Even my husband who almost never cracks a smile got a kick out of it.

you know what we all have to get them in our life and i think you for sharing your experience with us....i must say i have never laughed so hard on the passing air and uh oh's.............it totally made my day getting a belly laugh as we have all been there...... and asking her to help with the enima...classic really

Ironically I was scheduled for my colonoscopy the following day after this episode aired. I watched you and Adrienne and it gave me such a laugh while I was drinking that awful prep. I had several polyps removed so lucky me gets to do it again next year. And I truly mean lucky me!

Thanks for sharing. This easy procedure for the patient saves lives!

Paul I was hysterical laughing watching this episode because you were making such a joke about passing the air, but I have to commend you for allowing that to be filmed. It not only shows that a renowned Beverly Hills plastic surgeon is not only a real down to earth guy with a great sense of humor, but also the importance of having this procedure done. Kudos to you! I myself being over the age of 50 can't seem to muster up the courage to have it done (that damn prep just scares the "s__t" out of me)! You and Adrienne are by far my favorite couple on any of the RHW shows! Stay true to who you are! Janet

I just wanted to say how much I respect you for letting them film your colonoscopy. Having lost my mother to colon cancer when she was 51 (I was 13), and more recently a friend who was 52, I know the importance of early detection. I have had the procedure twice (I'm 45 now) and although it's not fun, the alternative is much worse. I hope you're back next season! Please continue being delightfully funny and adorable.

Thank you for sharing your experience with the colonoscopy. It is important for all of us to see the lighter side of medical care.

Dear Dr. Paul, My husband is almost 50, & I can't wait to show him this clip of you getting a colonoscopy! You are AWESOME! I am making an appointment for he & I because of you showing what happens, along with your good sense of humor! I have always liked you from day one, season one! You are very handsome, funny & smart! At the white party you were the hero of the night. I have been in a similar situation, & it's just not right for someone to take litigating lightly. You always gave us a break with some comedy, & I thought your night of beauty for the ladies was so generous & every woman's dream, along with the caterer going around offering snacks to the ladies! That's the kind of drama I want to watch during your show! You are a rock star all the way! Love, a true Paul fan!

OK Paul, thanks for explaining why you had to have the enema right before the procedure!!!! I'm an African-American woman & chose to have my 1st 1 @ age 46 due to the high rate of colon cancer in my ethnic group. But I know so many, who put this necessary screening-off well into their late 50's & 60's, which is very irresponsible & frightening. Thanks for bringing more awareness to this important health screening!!!!!