Prep for a colonoscopy, or colonoscopy preparation if you prefer, worries some people more than the actual colonoscopy procedure itself. They hear stories about not being allowed to eat for 24 hours, and gulping down a gooey, distasteful “colonoscopy prep” drink that results in multiple trips to the bathroom during the evening before.
Those who have recently been through a colonoscopy may embellish the details sometimes, but it’s true that you usually have to fast the day before. It’s also true that you need to drink a pretty potent laxative the evening prior to your procedure. But millions of people before you have managed the steps for colonoscopy preparation, and colonoscopy prep is not as horrible as some people like to make it sound. Keep in mind, this a colonoscopy procedure is designed to detect early signs of colon cancer – so a little effort and sacrifice are well worth it.
There are basically two important parts to getting ready for the procedure itself: fasting and bowel prep. These steps are designed to ensure that your colon is as clean as possible so your doctor to see the walls clearly. This is how he or she can detect any signs of disease.
The day before your appointment for the procedure, you’ll need to abstain from eating. Your doctor may advise you restrict intake for a longer period, depending on your situation.
But don’t believe stories you hear that you can’t eat anything at all the day before. There are certain things that are on the “okay” list. Admittedly, they’re not every filling, but at least they help a bit.
Most doctors will let you eat gelatin or Popsicles® as long as they’re not in flavors that are colored red or blue. These are the colors that can linger in the colon and obscure signs of problems. You’ll also be allowed to have diet soda, fat-free bouillon or broth, and hard candy such as Life Savers or lemon drops. Certain types of strained fruit juice are allowed too, as are plain coffee or tea.
You should also drink lots of water because the bowel preparation part of the process (described below) will drain a lot of fluids from your system.
Definitely stay away from dairy products, including milk, ice cream, or any kind of cream soup.
Doctors who perform colonoscopies usually give their patients an extensive list of do’s and don’t's well in advance of the day of the appointment.
You’ll also have to do what’s commonly called “bowel prep,” or bowel preparation, the day before your colonoscopy. Your surgeon will prescribe a highly effective laxative for you to begin taking the evening before. There are several popular brands including Golytely®, Fleets Phospho-Soda® and Movi-Prep®. It’s important to follow the instructions carefully.
As mentioned above, these laxatives not only clear out the solids in your system, but they absorb a lot of fluids too. So in between doses, you should drink three to six 8-ounce glasses of water. Your doctor may want you to drink even more than that if possible.
It won’t take long before you feel as if you have a bad case of diarrhea. Stay near and bathroom and be ready to spend some time there.
Depending on your doctor’s preference and your personal situation, you may be permitted to drink clear liquids up to several hours before the operation. The procedure itself takes less than an hour, and these days it’s usually done under anesthesia. There are rarely any after effects and no discomfort. You are generally permitted to leave the doctor’s office after a few hours of recovery.
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