Can I eat the day of my procedure?
-No.
Can I drink the day of my procedure?
-No.
You are not allowed to have any liquids or food after midnight and the morning of your procedure. Please note that if you were given the 2 part prep and were instructed to drink the second half the morning of the procedure, please do so. However, DO NOT EAT OR DRINK anything after you have finished the prep solution. You can brush your teeth or gargle but do not swallow anything.
What is a clear liquid diet?
-You may have any clear food or drink that has no color, especially red dye, and with no pulp or food products in it.
Food Allowed:
Tea and Coffee (no milk or milk products) with sugar, honey, sweet & low, equal, etc.
Clear carbonated beverages: Sprite, Ginger Ale, 7-UP, Gatorade(clear-no red dye)
Strained fruit juices: apple, white grape, lemonade (no pulp)
Clear broth or bouillon: chicken or vegetable
Clear flavored gelatin or popsicles: Yellow or Green Jell-o ®, Italian Ices, etc
You may also have clear hard candy.
Sample Diet for the day before your procedure:
White Grape Juice, clear chicken broth, Jell-o®, Tea or Coffee
FOODS NOT INCLUDED:
No Meats of any kind.
No vegetables or fruits.
No grains or starches.
No Fats
Five days before your procedure you are not allowed to have any foods containing seeds: Sesame, poppy, strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes.
Also do not have any nuts.
*Jell-O is a trademark of Kraft General Foods, Inc.
Why do I have to drink the prep solution and why so much?
-The prep solution is designed to cause your intestinal system to eliminate any solid foods you have eaten prior to the procedure. (This is why you cannot have any solid foods after midnight and into the day of your procedure). The large amount that you will drink over the next few hours will help by flushing your system to obtain a cleaner colon. The solution is not absorbed by the body and does not dehydrate you.
How can I make it taste better?
-You can add some lemon juice or you may use an instant beverage powder such as Crystal Light (clear, yellow or green only). Please remember do not ingest anything that contains red dye with the exception of heart or blood pressure medication, regardless of color.
What should I do if I can’t drink all the prep because of nausea?
-You may try taking a large drink of the prep solution and follow it with a sip of ginger ale. The ginger ale will help with the nausea and will also clear your palette of the taste from the solution. You can also try drinking the solution every 30 minutes instead of every 15 minutes or drink through a straw. YOU MUST DRINK MORE SOLUTION THAN GINGER ALE. If the nausea becomes too severe please call our office ay 703-723-3670, have on hand the phone number to your pharmacy. Remember that the large volume of liquid helps to empty your bowel. It is very important that you have clean bowel so the doctor can see what is happening in your colon.
Do I need to continue drinking the solution if I am having loose watery stools?
-Yes, you may have solid stool higher in the colon that needs to be eliminated.
What can I do for my sore bottom?
-First, avoid rubbing, gently pat with the flushable toilet paper wipes. Apply Tucks pads.
What do I do if I’m sick?
-If you can breathe through your nose and do not have a fever, your procedure can still be done. If you are on any antibiotics or have an infection please call us at 703-723-3670.
What if I’m still passing stool in the morning of my test?
-Call our office 703-723-3670.
Can I still have the procedure done if I’m am menstruating cycle?
-Yes. If you are comfortable with wearing a tampon please do so.
