The Day Before the Colonoscopy

Prior to your appointment, typically one day before, you will be given a laxative type drink. There are a few options when it comes to this mixture and the patient is given one according to what works best with their body. Two of the options include Golytely® or Fleets Phospho-Soda. Golytely is usually given as a powder inside a gallon sized container. There are a variety of flavors available to make ingesting the mixture more bearable. Phospho-Soda is a bit more dangerous for certain individuals, such as children or those prone to dehydration. In either situation, you must drink this before the procedure to expel all waste from your body. If none of the bowel prep liquids get the job done then an enema will be administered. Expect to spend 3 days drinking clear fluids and resting, going to work is not recommended.

What Happens if the Laxative Doesn’t Work?

An Enema is used as a last resort and only if the liquid drink doesn’t provide the right results. In the even that the patient needs an enema, he or she should go to the doctor’s office and request one. For the CCD camera or Fiber Optic camera to run properly and visibly note any abnormalities, the intestines and bowels must be clear of obstructions. In addition, the patient is not permitted to drink any liquids contain artificial dyes. It is best to stick with water, and lemonade for replenishing electrolytes. The worst part of a colonoscopy is becoming dehydrated. Be sure to stay hydrated at all costs before the procedure.

Final Preparations on the Day of Surgery

The final step of colonoscopy preparation involves going to the appointment and relaxing. A sedative is given to the patient through an IV tube. This sedative is designed to relax the body but not put it in a complete deep sleep. The doctor will then hook the patient up to an automatic blood pressure cuff that monitors changes in blood pressure, as well as various EKG straps to monitor heart rates. These are used as a precautionary measure. The patient getting a colonoscopy can expect to hear a lot of beeping which is completely normal. The camera will be inserted and the procedure should only take an hour. If there are abnormalities then they will need to be removed promptly.