WHAT PREPARATION IS REQUIRED?
The colon must be completely clean for the procedure to be accurate and complete.
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE COLONOSCOPY?
Exact instructions will be given to you when you set up your appointment.
WHAT ABOUT MY CURRENT MEDICATIONS?
Alert the medical assistant of your current medications when setting up the appointment.
CAN I HAVE MY COFFEE?
Yes, you can have black coffee with sugar the day before your procedure. No dairy, liquid or dry milk.
WHAT ARE CLEAR LIQUIDS?
Water, coffee, or tea, strained fruit juices with no pulp (apple juice, white grape juice), soft drinks, sports drinks (ginger ale, cola, Sprite, 7-Up, Gatorade). Chicken or beef bouillon/ broth low sodium, fat free. Lemon or lime Jello with no fruit or toppings. You can have hard candies. Nothing with red or purple coloring.
WHY CAN’T I HAVE RED OR PURPLE COLORING?
It can leave a residue in the bowel that resembles blood.
WHY CAN’T I EAT SEEDS BEFORE THE COLONOSCOPY OR SIGMOIDOSCOPY?
Seeds may remain in the bowel following the preparation for colonoscopy. During the procedure they may be suctioned into the endoscope and damage the instrument. Avoiding seeds for a week before the procedure will help prevent this problem.
HOW SOON AFTER THE PROCEDURE WILL I RETURN TO FULL ACTIVITY?
You can expect to return to full activities the next day. This would include driving.
