FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

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A: Since the preparation works through flooding your intestines with liquid, some abdominal cramping and bloating may occur, as well as nausea and rare cases vomiting. This will resolve the day of your procedure. Occasional weakness may occur if you have not ingested sufficient fluid with this preparation. This can be remedied by increasing your fluid intake, however you should not be drinking anything for several hours before your procedure so follow the directions you were given.
A: Your bowel movement should be watery in consistency and the color is usually tinted yellow with natural digestive juices. Small flecks of brown or colored debris is not a problem as long as it is not thick or muddy in appearance.
A: Most medications taken 1-2 hours before the beginning of the preparation should be adequately absorbed. Any sooner than 1 hour, the medication will most likely be washed away and not be completely absorbed.
A: Due to frequent liquid bowel movements, it is normal to experience some irritation. Aloe wet wipes or Desitin Ointment can be used as directed to help prevent or alleviate "sore bottom". These are over the counter products and do not require a prescription.
A. There are two reasons that you may not eat solid food the day of or the day before your procedure. First, there would not be enough time for your colon to be effectively cleansed by the prep. If you go through the effort to prep for the procedure and you are not cleansed thoroughly, your time and the physician’s time would be wasted and you would have to repeat the procedure another day. It is also unsafe to proceed forward if your physician cannot physically see the lining of the colon as he progresses the scope.  Second, since you will be sedated for your procedure, for safety reasons, it is recommended by the anesthesiologist that your stomach be empty of solid food for the entire day before your procedure and empty of liquids for 5 hours prior to your procedure.
A: We recommend nothing to eat or drink after midnight (approximately 8 hours) before your procedure date. If you want to take morning medication you may at least 2 hours before your procedure with sips of water (2 ounces).
A: Our anesthesiologists are specially trained to keep you appropriately and safely sedated during your procedure. You may have some "gas pains" or bloating after you awaken. This is from the air used to inflate the bowel during the procedure. This is normal and to be expected. Some patients do not perceive this feeling to be painful, but just a bit uncomfortable until the air passes or is re-absorbed into your system.
A: The sedation used to keep you comfortable and sleepy during your procedure can remain chemically in your system for a period of time after your procedure. For this reason, driving could be dangerous and it is the Department of Health and Anesthesia's Society's recommendation that NO driving occur for the remainder of the day of your procedure. You may resume normal activity the following day.
A: Until the next morning, you should NOT drive, operate heavy/dangerous machinery, drink alcohol, or make important decisions. If you routinely take aspirin or other blood thinning agents, the restricting or resumption of these medications will be addressed following your procedure depending on the physician’s recommendation.
A: As of May 2008, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy does not recommend prophylactic (preventative) antibiotics for any routine (screening or therapeutic) colonoscopy or EGD (upper endoscopy). This recommendation is approved by the American Heart Association as well.
A: If you take a blood thinner, you need to inform your prescribing doctor you will be undergoing an endoscopic procedure and obtain clearance to stop the medication. In some cases the doctor may not require you to stop these medications.