Learn more about Bowel Prep
Bowel preparation is necessary before any colonoscopy, but there are several different types of prep. Talk to your doctor about the specific prep recommended for you and whether alternative options are available.
If you received sedation, it's best to start with a light meal because the sedation can cause nausea. After that, you can eat and drink normally unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
You may continue to smoke until the time of your colonoscopy, but please stop chewing tobacco at midnight the night before your procedure.
If you received sedation, you might be too tired to go to work or perform your normal daily activities. Plan to rest at home as the sedation wears off, and you should not drive for 24 hours. You can resume sexual activity whenever you feel ready for it.
There aren’t any specific limitations on your activities, but you'll want to stay close to a restroom once you start your bowel prep. Please also be sure to follow all diet and medication restrictions in the days before your procedure.
Yes. You should stop using marijuana 24 hours before your procedure in order to minimize the risk of complications.
You may have sugar (or sugar substitutes), but not cream. Avoid milk, cream, powdered creamer, and milk substitutes such as soy milk and non-dairy creamer.
Children are welcome in our waiting room as long as they are supervised by a responsible adult. Please bring snacks and material to keep them entertained as they may be waiting for several hours.
Yes. Feel free to brush your teeth, but avoid drinking the water when you rinse.
You may chew gum during the bowel prep, but please stop chewing gum after the prep is complete.
No. Please stop drinking alcohol 48 hours before your procedure. Although some alcoholic beverages are clear liquids, drinking alcohol in the days before a colonoscopy can cause you to become dehydrated.
Yes. You may drink coffee or team with sugar (or sugar substitutes), but not cream. Avoid milk, cream, powdered creamer, and milk substitutes such as soy milk and non-dairy creamer. If you cannot drink coffee or tea without cream and develop a headache as a result of caffeine withdrawal, you can take Acetaminophen.
Yes. You may drink juices or fruit-flavored drinks that do not contain pulp and are not red or purple. Beverages such as apple juice, white grape juice, and pulp-free lemonade are allowed.
Probably not. Most colonoscopies involve a mild sedative to help you relax and prevent pain. If you use sedation, you'll need to have someone accompany you to the procedure and drive you home afterward. You should refrain from driving for 24 hours after receiving sedation.
You can only have clear broth. Do not eat soup that contains noodles, meat, vegetables, cream, or cheese.
Yes, but you’ll still need a companion to assist you. Most colonoscopies involve a mild sedative to help you relax and prevent pain. If you use sedation, you'll need to have someone accompany you to the procedure and stay with you until you get home.
Yes. Follow your doctor’s instructions and finish taking all laxatives as prescribed, even if your stools are clear or you stop having bowel movements.
Unless you are advised by your doctor, antibiotics are generally not required prior to a colonoscopy.
Please stop taking iron pills 7 days before your procedure and stop taking fish oil supplements 2 days before your procedure. You can resume these supplements after your procedure. You can probably continue taking aspirin, anti-inflammatories, high blood pressure medication, insulin, antidepressants, or anti-anxiety medicine as normal, but please check with your medical team to be sure. Be sure to tell your doctor about any medications you take regularly, including blood thinners.
If you receive sedation, it’s best to take the day off since you may feel groggy after your procedure.
No. If your doctor says you need a prostate exam, that exam will need to be done separately from your colonoscopy. A colonoscopy does include a rectal exam, but your body must be in a different position for a complete prostate evaluation.
No. The vast majority of polyps do not contain any cancer. However, if left in place, polyps can develop into cancer over several years.
The head of the colonoscope is no wider than your index finger. Your doctor will thread the scope through the twists and turns of your colon via a narrow tube that's about five feet long.
Family history and the presence of polyps during a colonoscopy are the main factors your doctor will use to evaluate your risk of colon cancer. If you or a family member have been found to have polyps, or if a family member has had colon cancer, you may need more frequent colonoscopies to screen for colon cancer. Talk to your doctor about other ways to reduce your risk.
Colonoscopes are designed to be used repeatedly. There are strict protocols to ensure the scope is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before and after each use.
The procedure itself typically takes less than 30 minutes, but please plan to be at the medical center for 2-3 hours to allow time for check-in, preparation, and recovery.
For most people, doctors recommend getting a colonoscopy every 10 years. If you have a family history of colon cancer or if polyps were found during a previous colonoscopy, you may need to get colonoscopies more frequently.
You may feel bloated and you will likely need to pass gas frequently while you recover. You should not have any significant anal discomfort. If you receive sedation, you may feel groggy for a few hours. You should feel back to normal after a good night's sleep.
Yes. No matter your body size, everyone has the same size colon. Please complete the bowel preparation according to your doctor's instructions.
Yes. If you need to, you can take the liquid laxative at a slower pace, taking 15-minute breaks between glasses.
Ask your doctor. You may need to follow special instructions during the bowel prep.
Starting five days before your procedure, be sure to follow a low-fiber diet, and avoid high-fiber foods such as whole grains, foods containing olestra (found in many snack foods), legumes, nuts, seeds (including those in fruits, such as strawberries or tomatoes), fruit and vegetable skins, dried fruit, raw vegetables, and cooked corn, broccoli, and brussels sprouts.
Starting on the day before your procedure, avoid all solid foods and consume only clear liquids.
You can continue drinking clear fluids up until 2 hours before your arrival time. Starting 2 hours before your procedure, do not consume anything at all (including water or other clear liquid fluids).
Colonoscopies are extremely common and considered to be a very low-risk procedure. Rectal bleeding is the most common complication. It can occur right away or after a week or two, and is more likely if large polyps are removed. It typically resolves on its own, but call your doctor right away if the bleeding becomes more severe.
More rarely, patients experience rectal perforation or a condition called post-polypectomy syndrome. These conditions can cause a high fever, pain, and nausea, and may require hospitalization or surgery.
To minimize these risks, doctors undergo extensive training to learn how to safely remove polyps and how much pressure to use when advancing the scope.
Finally, it is also possible that polyps may be missed, even with the most meticulous exam. Studies show that missed polyps are typically very small and not dangerous.
If your anus becomes irritated during bowel prep, apply diaper ointment, petroleum jelly, hemorrhoid cream, or other creams to your anus before going to the bathroom and reapply frequently. Avoid products containing alcohol, which can worsen the irritation.
There are a few things you can do to make the prep more palatable. Try adding a flavored powdered drink packet, chilling the prep before drinking, using a straw, or licking a lemon wedge after drinking.
While you’re on a clear liquid diet, you may drink water, coffee or tea (without cream), broth, caffeine-free soda, sports drinks, fruit-flavored drinks, and juices that do not contain pulp. Avoid all beverages that are red, purple, or blue in color. Beverages such as apple juice, white grape juice, and pulp-free lemonade are allowed.
Please avoid all solid food, alcohol, dairy products and dairy substitutes.
There are different kinds of bowel prep. In a “split” preparation, you take half of the liquid laxative the night before your procedure and half the morning of your procedure. Taking the laxatives in this way can help clear your colon more completely than taking all of the laxatives in one day.
By the end of your bowel prep, your stools should be yellow (like urine) and clear enough to see the bottom of the toilet bowel. If your stools are not clear, you may be asked to reschedule your colonoscopy and repeat the prep at another time.
Your doctor will typically remove any polyps with biopsy forceps or with a wire loop inserted through the colonoscope. The polyp tissue will then be examined under a microscope to check for cancer. Your doctor will discuss any findings with you after the procedure.
It should be safe for you to have a colonoscopy if you have a pacemaker or ICD. However, please check with your cardiologist first to be sure. On the day of your colonoscopy, bring your device information card with you. Your medical team may need use special precautions to prevent complications.
Most colonoscopies involve a mild sedative to help you relax and prevent pain. If you have extreme anxiety, let your medical team know and we can discuss whether you may benefit from deeper sedation.
Hemorrhoids will not interfere with your colonoscopy, but we want to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. If you have painful hemorrhoids or a fissure, let us know and we can apply some local numbing medication before inserting the scope.
A colonoscopy will not affect your Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Don't worry. Your period will not interfere with your colonoscopy. You can wear a pad or use a tampon for your procedure.
It can take a few hours for the laxatives to work through your system. Continue following your bowel prep instructions and drink plenty of clear liquids. If you haven’t had a bowel movement by the morning of your procedure, please call the clinic for instructions.
A biopsy is when the doctor takes a small sample of tissue to look at under a microscope. Biopsies are often used to determine if cancer cells are present.
Your doctor may take a biopsy of your digestive tract tissue if abnormalities are seen during your procedure. Because there are no sensory nerves in the lining of your gastrointestinal tract, this biopsy will not hurt.
A bowel prep (also known as a bowel preparation or colon prep) is a process used to clear your colon before a colonoscopy. This process is important for your safety and for the success of the procedure. There are different types of bowel prep. Generally speaking, you’ll be asked to take large doses of laxatives, which will cause you to have frequent bowel movements and diarrhea. Once your stools are clear (typically after 4-8 hours), you’re ready for your colonoscopy.
In addition to taking laxatives, you’ll need to comply with certain restrictions on eating and drinking in the days leading up to your procedure. This is important to ensuring your colon is completely clear.
A colonoscopy is a minimally-invasive procedure used primarily to screen for colon cancer. Your doctor inserts a small camera through your rectum to look at the inside of your large intestine for signs of colon cancer, abnormal growths, ulcers, and areas of inflammation or bleeding. If abnormalities are found, they are typically removed during the colonoscopy and then the tissue is analyzed to diagnose any problems.
A polyp is an abnormal growth of tissue in the colon that looks similar to a wart on the skin. Most polyps are not cancerous, but certain polyps can develop into cancer if they are not removed. If polyps are found during a colonoscopy, they are typically removed if possible.
It is a synthetic fat made from soybeans and cottonseeds that is often found in processed snacks such as chips, popcorn, and crackers. It leaves a waxy film inside your colon. Please avoid products containing olean or olestra starting five days before your colonoscopy.
Typically you’ll be asked to start by lying on your left side. After the scope is inserted into your rectum, your doctor may ask you to turn onto your back or stomach to help the scope pass through the twists and turns of your colon.
Call your doctor right away if you experience a high fever, increasing abdominal pain, or nausea. These symptoms can indicate an intestinal perforation, which requires immediate medical attention. Also watch for rectal bleeding, which can occur within 1-2 weeks after a colonoscopy. If the bleeding doesn't seem to go away or becomes severe, please contact your doctor.
Please bring your health insurance card, a photo ID, and copies of any relevant medical records, including records from previous GI procedures. You do not need to wear anything special, but expect to change into a gown before the procedure. If you wear dentures, you may be asked to remove them, depending on the type of sedation used for your procedure.
You may take a short break from taking the laxatives if you feel nauseated. Try drinking ginger ale or another clear liquid to help settle your stomach. Once your nausea subsides, continue your prep at a slower pace. Be sure to drink plenty of clear liquids to avoid becoming dehydrated. If you are unable to complete the prep, please contact us right away.
If you must drive more than 2 hours to reach the medical center, you might want to consider staying overnight locally to avoid having to make frequent bathroom stops as you finish the bowel prep during your trip.
You should begin to have frequent bowel movements and diarrhea within a few hours. Typically, it takes 4-8 hours to completely empty your colon. Plan to be near a restroom during this period. You’ll need to continue drinking the liquid laxative until your prep is complete. Also be sure to drink plenty of clear liquids to stay hydrated.
Your doctor will use a small scope (a colonoscope) to take pictures of the inside of your colon throughout the exam. Your doctor will use these images to identify any abnormalities and can refer to them later if needed.
Most colonoscopies involve a mild sedative to help you relax and prevent pain. If you use sedation, you'll feel the scope as it is inserted into your anus, but you should feel little to no pain during the procedure. You may also experience mild bloating or cramping, which should subside quickly after the procedure. This is because your doctor will instill air into your colon to help move the scope and maximize the camera's viewing area. Let your medical team know if you feel any discomfort, and we'll do our best to help.
Because your colon was completely cleaned out for the procedure, it may take 2-3 days for you to have a normal bowel movement afterward.
Your doctor will tell you the results of your colonoscopy shortly after the procedure. If a biopsy or bacterial analysis is needed, it may take a few days to receive your full results.
If your procedure is scheduled with Miralax prep, this is an over the counter prep. Please refer to your procedure instructions to purchase your prep supplies.
If your procedure is scheduled with GoLytely or Suprep, this is a prescription prep. Your prescription has been sent to your pharmacy of choice.
This is to ensure that your stomach is empty before you undergo anesthesia. An empty stomach lowers your risk of complications during the procedure.
Starting five days before your procedure, you are asked to avoid certain “high-residue” foods that can remain in your colon for a long time. Be sure to follow a low-fiber diet, and avoid high-fiber foods such as whole grains, foods containing olestra (found in many snack foods), legumes, nuts, seeds (including those in fruits, such as strawberries or tomatoes), fruit and vegetable skins, dried fruit, raw vegetables, and cooked corn, broccoli, and brussels sprouts. If you eat these foods close to a colonoscopy, the residues in your colon can clog the medical equipment and disrupt your exam, which could mean you’ll have to undergo a second bowel prep and colonoscopy.
Starting on the day before your procedure, avoid all solid foods and consume only clear liquids.
You can continue drinking clear fluids up until 2 hours before your arrival time. Starting 2 hours before your procedure, do not consume anything at all (including water or other clear liquid fluids).
Most colonoscopies involve a mild sedative to help you relax and prevent pain. The sedative will not necessarily put you to sleep and you can stay awake if you like, but it’s also fine for you to fall asleep during the procedure.
Most people need only a mild sedative to help them feel comfortable during a colonoscopy. Some people prefer deeper sedation, which requires the assistance of an anesthesiologist. General anesthesia is rarely needed for a colonoscopy. It is also possible to have a colonoscopy without sedation. Talk to your doctor about which approach is right for you.
No. Colonoscopies are an outpatient procedure and you should be able to go home afterward.
If you receive sedation, you should not feel any pain during the procedure or need any pain medication afterward. If you do not receive sedation, you may experience some mild discomfort.
No. It is safe for you to be at home alone after your colonoscopy.
It depends. For most people, the sedatives used are sufficient to eliminate pain. Numbing medication is typically only needed if you have painful hemorrhoids or anal fissures.
Most insurance plans cover colonoscopies. Please get in touch with our financial counselors to confirm your insurance coverage and learn how much you'll need to pay out of pocket.
Some people feel dehydrated or nauseated during the bowel prep. It's important to drink as much clear liquid as you can tolerate to avoid becoming dehydrated. If you feel nauseated, you may take a short break from the laxatives and then restart your prep at a slower pace once your nausea subsides.