Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Bowel prep for colonoscopy

Has anyone else here been required to do a colonoscopy before their surgery, and if so what was your prep?

My cyst is pushing on the bowel, the gyn/onc is afraid that its endo and the endo could get inside the bowel (although I have no symptoms that it has done that).  So he wants a colonoscopy before the lap to be sure.

Just got the colonoscopy prep info.  They want me on clear liquids for TWO days before the colonoscopy!  1st day no solid food, just clear liquids with a laxative at night.  Second day, more clear liquids and 3 more doses of fleet phospho soda.  Third day, nothing before colonoscopy.

I have never heard of anyone having a clear liquid diet 48 hours out from a colonoscopy.  I have bowel prep instructions for the laparoscopy to remove the cyst, that only requires clear liquids the day before, and 2 doses of fleet phospho-soda.

Any info, anyone?
12 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Sorry, just realized I didn't answer your question about the gallon jug.  I have a 12 oz bottle to take Saturday night, then I have to take three 1 oz doses throughout the day on Sunday.

Such good advice on this forum!  I never would have known about the baby wipes or vaseline or hard candy.  I will be prepared!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks, Miami!  I was SO ticked about not eating on Saturday, but what you said makes sense, perhaps it will be easier.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have ulcerative colitis, so i have had quite a few colonoscopys.

Two day prep is so that when u take the oral, that it doesn't hurt when you expell what is inside you. The less you eat, the less you will have to expell that day. I have even gone as far as not eating for 3 days so i don't have to drink as much of the oral stuff.

Did you get the gallon jug or the small bottle? The small bottle is much easier.

Tips: get some hard candy to pop in your mouth after you guzzly each glass of fluid. Drink the fluid fast in just a few gulps. Also try to push as much water as possible so you do not become dehydrated during prep...makes for a tough iv stick if you are.

Vaseline works good, and also get some baby wipes (the ones for the toilet) as toilet paper will rub u raw after going so many times. Apply vaseline after each BM.

The colonoscopy itself is no big deal, way more embarrassing than anything. With a good doc, you will wake up and ask when they are going to start!

And just for a good laugh, I had medical students in my room for my first ever colonoscopy!!! talk about embarrassing!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had to do a bowel prep before my surgery, but no colonocopy.  I had to be on clear liquids the day befor my surgery, and had to drink 1 GALLON of the bowel prep.  They gave you good advice when they said to stay close to the bathroom.  I did not know about the Vasaline, but wish I had.  If it will stop the burning and soreness, do it.  I will be thinking about you and praying for you.  Kasie
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks so much for all the great feedback!

I omitted the best part of all of this:  MY COLONOSCOPY IS THE DAY AFTER MOTHERS DAY.  Guess my husband is off the hook with for a big meal!

Yes, I was told no red or green colored drinks.  Limits the Gatorade flavors!

I just think it's wierd that the prep for the colonoscopy is much more than for the actual laparascopy... but I guess they're not planning to be inside my bowel during the laparascopy.

I'm supposed to go to my niece's First Communion Saturday, the first day of the clear liquid.  I haven't told the rest of the family about this, but I guess if I go with my own supply of Sprite and Ginger Ale they'll know something's up!  Luckily I don't have to take the first dose of laxative until Saturday night after we get home.

Sunday, the 2nd day with all the fleet drinks, my daughter has a dance competition.  All her dances are at night, 6:45pm to 9:30pm, with awards at 10:00pm (on a school night, no less...).
Anyway, I'm thinking that I'll drink the stuff at 8am, noon, and save the 3rd dose till after the competition.  It's only 10 minutes from my house, do you think I can watch the competition from 6:45 to 10:00 with a couple of bathroom trips?  If I haven't had any solid food since Friday and no Phospho drink since noon, shouldn't I be pretty empty by then?  Or am I kidding myself?

Thanks so much for all the feedback!  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
oh and I just remembered, they don't like you eating red jello!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had one in December, because I was very amemic.  Yes it is two days, and if you eat, they won't get a good result and they will cancel the test and not be happy with you!

YES it is clear liquids for two full days.  The first day isn't too bad, the second day is tougher.  The fleet tastes very salty.  They tell you to mix it with something but what I did is... I just chugged it fast (throw it back do not swill it around in your mouth) and then I drank a lot of water and broth to get the taste out of my mouth and rinse it down.  You will not be going anywhere for those two days, you have to stay close to the bathroom.  Especially the second day and evening of the second day.  It was going to the bathroom (just liquid, sorry to be graphic) every ten minutes during the last hour before the procedure.  You are really cleaned out.  
You can have:
fat-free bouillon or broth, clear fruit juice, water, plain coffee, plain tea, diet soda, gelatin.  No sugar.
By the third day you don't care any more!  You just want to get it over with....
You are not out very long, they run an IV, you are in a twilight sleep and really just kind of out of it.  They work quickly! When you wake up you feel quite OK.  They give you a light snack, muffins, tea, etc.  You can go eat more when you leave.  My doctor (she is great) came and saw me right away and showed me about a dozen pictures! and talked to me about it.
Stock up some good reading and rent a stack of DVDs, to kill time in the two days, you feel pretty icky and can't really do much, just rest.... but it is a great test to get done.
Love, Katie

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
NOTE!
I forgot, one of the nurses told me to put vaseline, or something like it, around you rectum before you take the laxative.  She spoke from experience when she said that stuff tends to burn the area.  I did that and was not sore at all.
Helpful - 0
132752 tn?1273342273
I had to do the 2 day clear liquid deal 48 hours before the colonoscopy I just had.  I also had to do a "low residual" diet the day before the clear liquid.  When is your surgery?  Hang in there!
peace,
Anne
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Who ever is doing your colonoscopy is probably asking you to do two days prep to make very sure you are cleaned out.  Probably because of the problems you have been having they anticipate that you need extra help cleaning out.  I have to do the same two day prep before my surgery.  One day was long enough when I had my colonoscopy a few years ago.  They could not get all the way around my bowel because I still had stool in one part of it.  Better to be safe than sorry.  If they give you the same drugs I had the test it self was easy.  Don't remember a thing until the recovery room.  Some gas for a few days after but that was it.  They use gas to inflate the bowel to get a good look.  Have you ever seen Robin Williams do his routine about this test.  I saw it shortly after I had mine and I was laughing so hard I could barely get my breath.  It was on Robin Williams on Broadway.  You should go out and rent it.  Laughter helps eveything.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The best piece of advice I can give you is stay close to a toilet!! and when you start to feel the slightest twinge of a bowel movement, get to the toilet asap. The best thing about this stuff is it totally cleans you out.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Holy ****!!! You're gonna be starving!:-( My husband had one a few years back and he said he doesn't remember having to fast for that long. He thinks he only fasted for maybe 12 hours before and then had to do the Fleet thing.

I hope you don't have to do that. I would die if I couldn't eat for that long!

(((hugs)))

Becky
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Ovarian Cancer Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Learn how to spot the warning signs of this “silent killer.”
Diet and digestion have more to do with cancer prevention than you may realize
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.