BOWEL PREPARATION FOR COLONOSCOPY OR SURGERY

BREAKFAST: have a light breakfast and drink plenty of water.

MORNING: drink plenty of water.

LUNCH: take a “Clear Liquid diet” and drink plenty of water.

AFTERNOON: drink plenty of water.

DINNER: take a “Clear Liquid diet” and drink plenty of water.

7.00 p.m. day before procedure: Start drinking the FIRST HALF of the laxative at 7 pm and finish the entire bottle in 4 hours. It is best to drink an 8-ounce glassful every 10-15 minutes. Rapidly drinking a glassful will do a much better job than sipping an ounce or two at a time. Chilling it or mixing CrystaLite may make it easier to drink. You will have consumed several glassfuls before having the first bowel movement and this may make you slightly bloated. You may experience nausea, abdominal fullness and bloating. If this occurs, stop drinking temporarily or drink each portion at longer intervals until these symptoms disappear.

Do not eat or drink after 12 midnight (except medications, see below) 4 Hours prior to arrival at the hospital take the SECOND HALF of the laxative.)

Soups and broth: chicken or beef bouillon

Jell-O, all jelly products (avoid red color and purple) • Soft drinks (orange, ginger ale, cola, sprite, 7-up, Gatorade, Kool-Aid, CrytaLite®) • Strained fruit juices without pulp

Water, tea or coffee (no milk or non dairy creamer)

If you are taking Coumadin, Plavix or any other blood thinning medications, you will need to stop it a few days before the procedure. Ask your surgeon about it.

You may take all your medications on the morning of surgery even though you have been asked to avoid eating or drinking after a certain time. Just use a small sip of water for your medications. However DO NOT take your diabetic medications.