Colonoscopy Prep Question

They should have given you a detailed list of what you have to stop eating and when. Things like popcorn and nuts are cut out a few days prior if I remember correctly.

Just do what you normally do until prep time. No reason to cut out certain foods or eliminate meats or anything. Just follow the prep.

I've done this several times - drink it cold through a straw. Depending on what doctor you go to they will let you do different thing. This last time I got to drink 2 bottles of magnesium citrate (best kind of prep to drink in my opinion) and could eat ice cream and pudding the day before. That made my life so much better!! Needless to say, I ate a whole pint of Hagen Daaz.

Does not matter what you eat even the day before the prep. When you are done there is just nothing left in your body. No point in making yourself miserable before that! Have fun!

You can go to the event two day's out.

The next day you will be doing the pre-procedure work. Your doctor should have given you a sheet of what to do and what products to get and take and times to use to clean out your system. No red dyes of any kind are allowed. Jello, white grape juice, apple juice and broth can be consumed. The key is to stay hydrated while doing this clean out as it makes it easier to fine veins in arms for the IV.

I just escorted my husband to his annual yesterday. All went well.

Make sure you have someone drive you home. His doctor will not do the procedure if there is no one to take a patient home and to sign the sheet for responsibility.

Rescheduling may be that you won't be able to do the procedure until next year. It would be well to just do it and get it over with before the holidays.

I have had it done and was fine the next day. It is just the prep work that is necessary to clean the system for viewing.

the other S.

Don't worry about your event. Go. The stuff you drink will clean it ALL out. Just make sure you drink all of it just like the directions tell you to do. It's easier if you drink it cold, by the way.

Be close to the bathroom the whole time. Another tip is to have a towel underneath you lengthwise and another one covering your lap, instead of wearing pants. You may not have time to pull your pants down before getting to the toilet, and then you just soil them. Just grab the towel in the front and back and run. That way, you're covered and if you soil the towel, you can just grab another one waiting for you in the bathroom.

Make sure that you don't eat anything heavy after you get home. Soup is best. And try to have someone with you until you finish eating. Best for you to just go to sleep. Whatever you do, DON'T be alone taking care of kids! You need time to rest up for you without having any responsibilities. The hospital papers tell you not to sign any legal documents or make legal decisions after the procedure. There's a reason - it's the medicine they give you to put you to sleep. So don't be alone with children either. Your head just isn't quite in the right place, even though you don't necessarily know it.

The next day, walk around and move as much as you can. You're all bloated because of the air they pump into you, and you need to pass gas a lot. Moving around will help you with that.

Good luck!

When I had mine done, the doctor gave me a piece of paper that specifically broke down exactly what I was to do on each day. It had a list of things you could eat and drink and when to start the liquids, meds, etc. So not sure why you are asking on here. If your doctor/nurse didn't give that paper to you, then you need to contact them. It's not something you want to screw up and have to do again.

i suggest you stop listening to 'some people', including us, and ask this very important question of your doctor. you will have received instructions. follow them.
an event 2 days prior should be fine IF you're not going hogwild. it makes sense to keep your diet as clean as possible prior to the procedure. but your doctor will give you the information you need.
khairete
S.

Most instructions that come either from the doctor or with the prep solution will tell you. I work in food science with liquid nutrition and fiber, and we find that most people eliminate red meat and highly fibrous products (like corn), as well as reduce (not eliminate) things likely to cause constipation (cheese, etc.) so the prep solution doesn't have to "fight" against a more difficult "clogging" or bloating situation. Also, if you don't overeat for a few days before, you won't feel quite so deprived when you are eating light.

And ask your doctor if there's a choice of preparations. Some people use a pretty vile preparation that is thick and has to be cold, and they have to drink a ton of it. On the other hand, there is a small bottle of something from the pharmacy - I think it's called magnesium citrate - that comes in a lemon flavor (and maybe one other), is pretty thin, and does the job. If there's a choice, you might be happier drinking 24 or 30 ounces than a gallon!

It's just a question of not irritating your rear end too much from frequent and heavy bowel movements beforehand - so gradual helps, but you can probably still go to an event if you are careful the rest of the day before and after.

I think you should be fine. I had to have a colonoscopy and drinking the special liquid they give you the day before will completely clear you out. I was not told to cut back on anything or eat any differently the week before. The day before was my only prep day. So I would not have worried about some event two days before the procedure. You can always call your doctor and she what he/she says about it.

The exact prep will vary based on your doctor's instructions.

My doc told me to eat a lite breakfast the day before but nothing but clear liquids after 10 am (and nothing with Red dye). Around 4 pm I had to drink that awful stuff, continue clear liquids. Nothing after midnight. A suppository in the morning.

You may find the day of and after your procedure you want to eat a little lighter than normal but otherwise no restrictions.

I'm pretty sure it's going to take more than clear liquids to clean you out sufficient for a colonoscopy. You are going to need a super laxative from hell as well as drink about a gallon of nasty stuff. They need to see through your waste to get a good view. You better check with your doc for instructions. I question the doctor that says food and water are okay!!

I remember being told to do a low fiber diet for two days before your day of clear liquid. It makes the cleanse a little easier if their isn't a lot of fiber in your system. Also cut out anything that can cause gas.

My day of clear liquids I drank chicken broth. It helped me feel like I had eaten something.

One of the best pieces of advice I got was to chew either orange or lemon flavored gum right before and right after I had to drink the cleansing stuff. It helped to mask the flavor. Also helps to drink it when it is cold.

Be sure to have a clear schedule once you start drinking. I was indisposed for several hours. My kids had to pretty much parent themselves that night.

Have a driver to take you home and plan on not doing much afterwards. I slept most of the day because of the anesthesia.

I was going to say th same as Suz ask your doctor who will be performing it. It could depend on what they are looking for specifically. I get them done regularly due to a family history of problems and I only do the day before cleaning out that disgusting drink. Never had a problem. Good luck

Do as normal until the day prior unless your dr instructs you differently.

Read your instructions. You must have gotten some.

My husband's instructions were to start modifying his diet two weeks beforehand, as I recall, with certain foods eliminated two weeks out (meat, maybe?), then more one week out, then several more two days before, then the gallon of stuff the day before. He had a detailed list of instructions from the doctor. I myself would be inclined to reschedule the colonoscopy instead of interfering with the event, however if you are the kind of person who could go to an event without eating much, that's an option too.

I think this example shows why you need to ask your doctor, as there seem to be very different philosophies.

Hello
I've yet to go for mine (even tho I know I should).....However, when hubby has his, he needs to modify his diet some, gradually, for a few days before -- something about a nonresidual diet and slowly removing veggies and fats and eating what seems like just pasta the day (or maybe 2) before.....But then again, he's not 50 yet and goes as a follow up to colon cancer and his diet may be different as a result...(yeah, I know, I really should go) With that said, check with your doc...Good luck!!

The doc should give you meds to take to clean you out. What you eat the day or so before really won't make a difference. The clear 7-UP like drink or the brown syrupy drink will clean you out very very well.