Your physician has determined that as part of your medical evaluation you should undergo an examination known as Capsule Endoscopy. This procedure involves ingesting a small ( the size of a large vitamin pill) Given Imaging M2A Capsule which will pass naturally through your digestive system while taking pictures of the intestine. The images are transmitted to the SensorArray which is placed on your abdomen. The SensorArray is attached to a walkman-like Given DataRecorder which saves all the images. It is located in the RecorderBelt, which is worn around your waist. After 8 hours, you will remove the RecorderBelt and return it to your physician for processing. The M2A Capsule is disposable and will be excreted naturally in your bowel movement. In the rare case that it will not be excreted naturally, it will need to be removed endoscopically or surgically. In order for your physician to get the most accurate information from this examination, you will need to tell the office all medications that you take, if you have a cardiac pacemaker or implantable defibrillator, previous abdominal surgery, any problem swallowing, or any history of bowel obstruction.

1. After lunch on the day before the Capsule Endoscopy examination, start the liquid diet your physician prescribed. From 8 p.m. the evening before the Capsule Endoscopy, do not eat or drink except for necessary medication with a sip of water.
2. Do not take any medication beginning 2 hours before undergoing Capsule Endoscopy.
3. Abstain from smoking 24 hours prior to undergoing Capsule Endoscopy.
4. Male patients should shave the abdomen 6 inches (15 cm) above and below the navel on the day of the examination. If it is difficult for you to shave your abdomen, please contact your physician’s office to arrange to have this done in advance.
5. Starting at 8 p.m. the night before the procedure drink one half gallon of Nulytely, or one bottle of Magnesium Citrate as prescribed by your physician.

1. Arrive at our office at the prescribed time for your Capsule Endoscopy dressed in loose fitting, two-piece clothing.
2. At our office, you will have a pre-procedure interview. During this interview you should be informed that Capsule Endoscopy is associated with a small chance of intestinal obstruction. You will be checked-in and asked to give your informed consent.
3. The SensorArray will be applied to your abdomen with adhesive pads and will be connected to the DataRecorder which you will wear in a belt around your waist. After that you will be instructed to ingest the M2A Capsule.
4. Do not eat for 2 hours after ingestion of the small bowel capsule.
5. You will need to bring the small bowel capsule equipment to our office at 4:45 p.m. on the day of ingestion.
6. The images (approx. 57,000!!) from your small intestine will then be downloaded onto a CD and given to your physician for interpretation.

Back to Office Procedures