How to Prepare for a Colonoscopy


Step 1: Plan Your Prep

Your doctor is your best source of information about how to get ready. When you schedule the procedure, you’ll get instructions. Read them over well before your appointment, and call your doctor if you have any questions.
Clear your schedule for the evening before and the day of your colonoscopy, and make plans for someone to go with you the day of the colonoscopy.
Shop for some key supplies several days ahead, too. Your list may include:
  • A prescription or over-the-counter laxative specified by your doctor
  • Low-fiber food
  • Sports drinks, juices, and broths
  • Moist wipes

Step 2: Tweak Your Diet

You can help the cleansing process by eating light 3 or 4 days before the procedure. Doctors recommend low-fiber foods that are easy to digest and leave your system quickly.
You can have:
  • White bread, pasta, and rice
  • Well-cooked vegetables without skin
  • Fruit without skin or seeds
  • Lean meat, chicken, or fish
  • Eggs
Don’t eat:
  • Seeds, nuts, or popcorn
  • Fatty foods
  • Tough meat
  • Whole grains
  • Raw vegetables
  • Fruit with seeds or peel
  • Corn, broccoli, cabbage, beans, or peas

Step 3: The Fast

The day before your procedure you can’t eat anything solid. you can only consume clear (see-through) liquids.  It is important to stay hydrated by drinking lots of clear liquids, such as sports drinks, clear juice like apple and white grape, and clear broth. Soda is OK, and so are coffee and tea, but without cream.

Step 4: The Purge


The night before your colonoscopy you’ll take strong laxatives to clear your digestive tract. The method recommended for most people is called split dosing. You’ll drink a half-gallon of liquid laxative in the evening. Then you’ll get up about 6 hours before your appointment to drink another half-gallon.
You probably won’t enjoy the taste of the solution, but there are tricks to help get it down:
  • Mix it with something flavored, like a sports drink or powdered drink mix.
  • Keep it well chilled.
  • Drink it through a straw placed far back on your tongue.
  • Follow it with a sip of something good tasting.
  • Suck on a lemon slice or piece of hard candy after drinking.

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