PREPARATION FOR YOUR COLONOSCOPY
5 DAYS PRIOR to your procedure STOP TAKING blood thinners (Coumdain, Plavix, Ticlid, Agrylin). Be certain that you take all heart and high blood pressure medication (EXCEPT aspirin or thinners) the morning of the procedure with a sip of water. If you have a history of asthma or breathing problems, please use any inhalers as prescribed the morning of the procedure. TYLENOL is OK to take prior for pain or headache.
For DIABETIC PATIENTS please follow the diabetic instruction sheet.
THE DAY BEFORE YOUR EXAM
1) Beginning from the time you wake up, you will be on a clear liquid diet. To properly prepare your bowels for the exam, you must drink at least eight (8 02.) glasses of clear liquids over the next twelve hours to prevent dehydration. You may drink more if you wish. This fluid plays an important role in cleaning your large intestine. Remember, that the bowel must be clean for a complete inspection and for the safe removal of any polyps. You may drink any clear liquids such as ginger ale, Sprite, 7-Up, thin clear broth, & clear fruit juices-no pulp (apple juice, cranberry juice, or white -grape juice). Some other acceptable food items include tea, coffee (no milk or cream), non-dairy sherbet, or Jell-0 (avoid RED Jell-O). In addition, please do not take any fiber products (Citrucel or Metamucil), Pepto-Bismol, Lactulose or Enulose on this day.
2) Mix the colyte to with one gallon of water. Place in refrigerator.
3) Start to drink the colyte around 4 pm. Drink the full gallon over the next 4 hours. Your evening meal should be limited to light liquids such as broth, clear fruit juices and Jell-O. No solid foods should be eaten.
4) Do not eat or drink after midnight, except for taking your usual medications
ON THE DAY OF THE EXAMINATION
1) Do Not Eat Breakfast.
2) 1-2 hours before leaving for your exam, Insert the Dulcolax Suppository, wait 15 minutes before evacuating.
You must have someone accompany you to and from any procedure and you cannot use public transportation. The Naugatuck Valley Surgical Center insists that you have someone with you for 24 hours after your procedure.