How do I prepare for my colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is an examination of the colon (large bowel) with a lighted flexible tube called a colonoscope. Your efforts at cleansing your colon are essential for an accurate examination.
SUPPLIES NEEDED| One Week Before Procedure
Colonoscopy Preparation with Miralax and Gatorade:
Please purchase the 3 over the counter products listed below.
- 2 Dulcolax tablets
- 1 Miralax 238 gram bottle
- 1 Gatorade (Lemon-Lime, Orange or Any Colorless Flavor) 64 oz
Read these instructions carefully at least one week prior to your exam. For more information about the benefits and risks of colonoscopy, please refer to the information pamphlet given to you, or call our office for additional information.
Please Contact your PCP/Cardiologist for cardiac clearance if any of
the following relate to your current health:
-
You are currently being treated for a cardiac condition.
-
You have a cardiac stent and are taking a prescription medication.
-
If you are currently taking any “blood thinners”; such as ASA, Plavix, Coumadin or Lovenox to receive medication.
-
You have a pacemaker or defibulator please let our office know immediately.
|
MEDICATION INSTRUCTIONS| 5 Days Before Procedure
You will need to discontinue the medication listed below:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be continued or substituted as a pain-reliever for aspirin. If you have an artificial heart valve, you need to talk to your primary care physician or cardiologist about using an alternative anticoagulant. Make sure the doctor doing your colonoscopy knows that you have a prosthetic valve.
Return to Top
DIET INSTRUCTIONS| 3 Days and 1 Day Before Procedure
-
3 Days Before Procedure - Avoid eating nuts, seeds, popcorn, grapes, green peas, beans and tomatoes.
-
1 Day Before Procedure - Start drinking clear liquids in the morning and continue throughout the day. Clear liquids include black coffee, tea with no milk, soda, Gatorade, Propel, water, clear juices (apple juice, white grape, white cranberry), clear broth, popsicles and lemon Jello (no red, blue, or purple flavors). Do not eat any solid food while on this diet. Do not drink alcohol. No dairy products. Deviating from this diet may prevent adequate preparation for the colon exam.
Return to Top
BOWEL PREPARATIONS| 1 Day Before Procedure
Start drinking clear liquids in the morning and continue throughout the day. Clear liquids include black coffee, tea with no milk, soda, Gatorade, Propel, water, clear juices (apple juice, white grape, white cranberry), clear broth, popsicles and lemon Jello (no red, blue, or purple flavors). Do not eat any solid food while on this diet. Do not drink alcohol. No dairy products. Deviating from this diet may prevent adequate preparation for the colon exam.
 
|
Step 1: TAKE DULCOLAX TABLETS - At approximately 3:00p.m.take two (2) Dulcolax tablets with 8 oz of water. Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water.
Step 2: PREPARE MIXTURE - At approximately 5:00p.m., mix the bottle of Miralax in 64oz of Gaterade (Lemon-Lime, Orange or clear liquid). Shake the solution until the Miralax is dissolved
|
 |
Step 3: DRINK ALL THE SOLUTION. - Drink 8oz of the solution every 15 minutes until the solution is finished.
|
 |
Step 4: WAIT FOR BOWEL MOVEMENT - The bowels should eventually empty a clear yellow liquid. No food, drink, or water after midnight (12:00am) the day prior to your procedure. If by 7 a.m. the bowl movement is still not clear, please call your physician at (847) 247-0187
|
Return to Top
HIGH RISKS PATIENTS| Cardiac and Diabetic Patients
-
Cardiac Patient - If you are being treated for hypertension/high blood pressure, continue to take your medication as directed. On the day of the procedure take the medication with ONLY a sip of water.
-
Diabetic Patients - If you are taking an oral hypoglycemic (“sugar pill”), do not take it the day of your procedure. If you are taking insulin, please take 1/2 of your prescribed a.m. insulin dose, the day of your procedure. Call your PCP if you have any questions about your medicine during your preparation period.
Return to Top
GENERAL INFORMATION| Day of Surgical Procedure
-
You must arrive within ½ hour to one hour before the scheduled appointment according to the guidelines of the procedure location. Your entire stay for the procedure will be about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
-
You are not allowed to take a taxi or public transportation home after the procedure. A friend or relative will need to drive you home, and someone will need to be with you for at least two hours to make sure there are no problems from the sedation or the procedure.
-
After the procedure, do not drive a car for the remainder of the day and do not make any important decisions until the following day.
-
Biopsy results are usually available within seven business days.
-
Patients with pacemakers need to inform our office when booking this appointment.
-
Patients with internal defibrillators must have the procedure at Condell Medical Center.
Return to Top |
