The day before your Colonoscopy Phoenix you’ll have to follow a strict clear liquid diet. Your doctor will prescribe a laxative to empty your bowels. These are usually osmotic laxatives and come in liquid form, which you’ll drink over the day.
You should also avoid drinking any red liquids, as these can confuse your doctor with blood during the procedure.
Preparation
A colonoscopy is an important tool in the fight against gastrointestinal issues like polyps and colon cancer. But it’s also a very uncomfortable test for many people. That’s because the prep phase can involve drinking large amounts of special laxative liquid and many trips to the bathroom.
Your gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon will give you specific instructions about the bowel prep for your colonoscopy, but it’s typically recommended that you drink only clear fluids starting the day before the exam. Those fluids should include water, juice, broth, and carbonated beverages – but avoid any red liquids that could make it appear you have blood in your stool.
You may be able to add some powdered drink mix or other flavorings to the bowel prep so that it tastes better than plain water. However, you must drink all of the bowel prep liquid to ensure it fully cleans your colon before your procedure.
Some doctors suggest that you drink part of the bowel prep solution the night before your test and the rest in the morning. Others recommend that you start drinking the bowel prep solution early on the day of your appointment and continue to drink it until just before your procedure. You must follow the instructions from your doctor carefully, as they will likely have different recommendations and instructions for bowel prep depending on what brand of solution you use.
It’s also important to stop taking any medication that causes diarrhea or contains iron several days before your colonoscopy. This is because the medications can interfere with the bowel prep or cause your stomach contents to move too quickly, making it difficult for the camera to see what it’s looking at.
It’s a good idea to wear comfortable, loose clothing on the day of your procedure. This will help you stay comfortable while you’re on or near the toilet for long periods. And remember to bring your anti-nausea medicine, if you need it, as the bowel prep can make you feel bloated and nauseated. Also, make sure that you have someone to drive you home after your procedure because you won’t be able to drive after the anesthesia wears off.
Sedation
The bowel prep phase of the procedure can be one of the most uncomfortable. You’ll likely spend several hours in and out of the bathroom as you drink a laxative formula to empty your colon. The doctor will tell you when to start and when to finish the prep, and it’s important to follow these instructions precisely. If you don’t, the doctor may not be able to see your colon properly.
On the day of your exam, you won’t be able to eat anything solid. You can only consume clear liquids like water, broth, apple juice, and Jell-O, but not red liquids because they could be mistaken for blood during the colonoscopy. You might also need to avoid some medications because they can increase your risk of bleeding during the test. Ask your doctor what you should do if you take anticoagulants, such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparins, or newer drugs that thin the blood, including dabigatran (Pradaxa) or rivaroxaban (Xarelto); or heart medications that affect platelets, such as clopidogrel (Plavix).
Some people get bloated and feel cramps while drinking their prep. If you experience this, try sipping a glass of water or another clear liquid to make yourself more comfortable. It can be helpful to have a friend or family member sit with you while you drink the prep solution, especially if you live alone. It’s a good idea to wear loose, comfortable clothing so you can sit on the toilet or lie down when necessary.
During your colonoscopy, you will be under sedation or anesthesia. A nurse will help you change into a hospital gown, then you’ll lie down on an exam table. The doctor will insert the colonoscope into your large intestine to look at your bowel tissue, and you may feel some pressure or pain as it’s advanced. Some patients also have some discomfort when the doctor injects medication into their rectum or removes polyps from their colon.
After the procedure, you’ll be able to go home shortly afterward. The sedation or anesthesia will wear off within a few hours, and you’ll be ready to resume your normal diet and activities.
Recovery
After the procedure, you’ll be asked to rest in a recovery room for an hour or so. This gives your colonoscopy a chance to fully wake up, and it also lets the anesthesia wear off. During this time, you should not drive, so arrange for someone to take you home after the appointment. You’ll want to make sure you have plenty of fluids, such as water, broth, Gatorade, or tea and coffee without milk. You may also want to add a bit of powdered lemon juice or flavoring to the fluids to improve their taste.
Some discomfort, such as gas or bloating, is common after a colonoscopy. However, this should pass within 24 hours. You may also notice some small amounts of blood in your first bowel movement after the procedure, which is also normal.
The prep phase is the most difficult part of a colonoscopy, and it begins the day before your procedure. You’ll have to drink a special liquid formula to empty your colon, and this can require many trips to the bathroom. To make the prep easier, try drinking it through a straw. Many people find the prep much more bearable this way.
It’s also important to make sure you’re not taking any medications that could interfere with the prep or sedation. For example, if you take diabetes drugs like semaglutide or tripeptide; medications to treat stomach ulcers like cimetidine (Zantac), famotidine (Tagamet), or ranitidine (Zantac); anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin) or newer ones such as dabigatran (Pradaxa) or rivaroxaban (Xarelto) to reduce the risk of clots; or heart medications that affect platelets such as clopidogrel (Plavix), you will need to adjust your dose or stop them temporarily.
Your doctor will provide you with specific instructions about how to prepare for your colonoscopy. They will usually ask you to stop eating certain foods two days before the procedure and to drink only clear liquids the day of the procedure. They may also give you a prescription for laxatives, either in pill or liquid form, to help you get ready for the procedure.
Post-Procedure Care
The doctor will remove the colonoscope and you’ll be wheeled into a recovery room or cubicle. A nurse will monitor you until the sedative wears off, usually in 30 to 60 minutes.
Once you’re awake, the doctor will talk with you about the results. If a polyp or cancer is found, you’ll discuss what the next steps will be.
You’ll likely need to start a new diet. For several days after a colonoscopy, you’ll have to stick to a low-residue diet that includes clear liquids, soup, and gelatin. Some foods, such as seeds, nuts, grains, and popcorn, may not move easily out of your colon during this period, so it’s best to avoid them until you’ve recovered. Also, do not eat red or purple foods, because they can cause your stool color to change, which can interfere with the doctor’s ability to see what’s going on in your colon.
Your doctor will probably prescribe laxatives to help you clean out your colon before the procedure. These can be taken as a pill or in the form of a powdered drink mix. If you’re taking the drink mix, it helps to have a lot of water or other clear liquid on hand. It also helps to stock up on things like popsicles, fruit juice, Gatorade, and coffee. Just make sure you’re not buying any foods or drinks with any type of red or purple coloring because these colors can cause your stool to turn a pinkish-red color that might confuse the doctor with blood.
During your preparation days, it’s important to follow the instructions exactly. This ensures that your bowel is empty on the day of the colonoscopy and that the sedative you’ll be given will work effectively. If you’re unsure about any aspect of your prep, ask the gastroenterologist to explain it in more detail.
It’s also a good idea to be honest with your doctor about any health problems or previous negative reactions to sedation or anesthesia. This information influences decisions about safely administering the sedative and avoiding complications such as bleeding from polyp removal. You should also share all of the prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbs, supplements, and aspirin you take.
