Hi! No you do not have to be awake. My doctor asks me and my son which we prefer, and we always opt to be put out. The doctor comes in the room and says "we're going to get started" and immediately we are knocked out for the entire thing, totally. Tell your doctor that you are nervous about this and ask him to put you out completely. If he refuses, find another doctor. There is no reason for you to be awake, and most doctors do put you to sleep for the entire thing. It will be easy to find one, and just call a GI's office and ask if they do this, and if not, move on. You will only make 1 or 2 calls to find one. Feel free to contact me me for any additional info!