Your doctor has recommended a colonoscopy. Follow these instructions and the instructions for the bowel cleaning preparation prescribed to you to ensure that your colon in cleaned out adequately. Removing all waste material from the colon prior to colonoscopy is important to allow your doctor to carefully examine the lining of you colon.

The entire day prior to your colonoscopy, you should be on a clear liquid diet. Clear liquids may include such things as fruit juices without pulp (apple, white grape, lemonade), water, clear broth or bouillon, coffee or tea (without milk or nondairy creamer), Gatorade or Kool-Aid, soft drinks, plain Jell-O (not red and without added fruits or toppings), iced pops (blue, green, yellow, orange or pink are okay). You may drink up to 6 can of Boost or similar nutritional supplement. You should not have liquids with red dye. Liquids that are red or purple should be avoided. You should not have any solid food, milk or dairy products.

You should follow the instructions for the particular bowel cleansing regimen you were prescribed by your doctor. Instructions can be found in the Bowel Cleaning Prep section of this website.

You may take your regular prescription medication. Your specific medications may have been adjusted by your doctor. Be sure to let you doctor know if you are taking medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, or blood thinners such as coumadin (Warfarin), aspirin, or Plavix. Let your doctor know if you are taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for arthritis or pain such as ibuprofen, or naproxen.

You should take nothing by mouth after midnight the night prior to your procedure.

On the morning of your procedure you may take your prescription medications with water unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. You may brush your teeth. If your procedure is scheduled for after 12PM, you may have a light clear liquid breakfast. You should not take any Boost or nutritional supplements on the day of the procedure.

Arrive at the endoscopy suite at the time given to you by the scheduling staff of our office. Be sure to have someone available to drive you home from the procedure and stay with you for about 4 hours after the procedure is done.

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