Colonoscopy Prep

Yes! There are many indications for a patient to be on blood thinning medications. These medications have to be held prior to your procedure in order to minimize any risk of bleeding. Each blood thinner has a different half life, therefore, its ability to stay in your blood stream varies from drug to drug. Please bring up your medication list with your provider and they will help you understand what to hold and when to begin holding such drugs prior to your endoscopic procedure.

Yes. Iron pills can lead to constipation and its advised to stop taking them 7 days prior to a colonoscopy. You do not have to hold iron supplements before an upper endoscopy. This will help optimize the quality of your bowel preperation prior to your procedure.

This is individualized patient to patient. Some medications are held, some the medication doses are halfed, and others may be continued. Please discuss your diabetes type/status, and medication list with your gastroenterologist and/or your endocrinologist prior to your procedure.

If you take your anxiety or blood pressure medications in the morning then it is advised to take them on the morning of your procedure with a small sip of water. We want your mental health and your blood pressure to be optimal leading upto the procedure itself.

There are MULITPLE prep options: Miralax, Suprep, Clenpiq, Golytely, Moviprep, Sutab, Plenvu. Those who have a known history of constipation are often advised to do a “two day prep”. Each practice and provider may have personal preferences. At MGI our default options is the miralax bowel prep. Please go to our website for detailed pre procedure patient instructions. We have taken the time to carefully explain how to use any pertinent bowel prep. Our website: www.manhattangastroenterology.com > patient information > procedure instructions.

Avoid Red, Purple, or Orange

This is a common problem and there is an easy and stress free answer. The default product that we use “Miralax bowel prep” is all available over the counter. Meaning no prescription is requires. Please go to our website: www.manhattangastroenterology.com > patient information > procedure instructions > colonoscopy > Miralax Prep. It will outline what to purchase over the counter and how to use it in great detail.

For some patients there is a delay in colonic activity up to 2-4 hours. Lets first go over the fundementals: The standard model for bowel preparation is “split prep model” where you take half the prep the day prior and half the prep 5 hrs prior to the procedure. If you take the first half the day before, and do not see any colonic activity within the ifrst two hours, then go ahead and finish the 2nd half of your bowel prep the day before your procedure. Now 5 hours prior to the procedure you should take a product called “magnesium citrate” ( a liquid solution, 10oz bottle). This additional component should optimize your bowel preperation.

Same as the above answer. If you have finished the full miralax prep, and then magnesium citrate, and your stool is still not clear yellow then contact your GI provider and let them know this information. It is possible you may need to reschedule your procedure and come up with an extended bowel preparation strategy.

Same as the above answer. If you have finished the full miralax prep, and then magnesium citrate, and your stool is still not clear yellow then contact your GI provider and let them know this information. It is possible you may need to reschedule your procedure and come up with an extended bowel preparation strategy.

Typically after your colonoscopy is done most of the liquids will be removed using the colonoscope. You may have some residual liquids stools for a a few hours after the procedure. Overall it should not last more than 24 hours after the procedure.

Yes. Research has shown that doing a “split prep” model helps provide a much cleaner colon. The biggest benefit to the split prep is the “bile” that enters into the empty colon can stain it yellow and obscure the doctors views. The “split prep'” which encourages you to take the 2nd half 5 hours pre-procedure eliminates this bile from the colon and provides the best visibility for your doctor. This yields the most optimal exam.

Yes. Please follow the instrucitons as listed on our website. www.manhattangastroenterology.com > patient information > procedure instructions

The send half of your bowel prep is 5 hours pre-procedure. That will provide ample time to drink the product, use the restroom, tidy up, and commute to the office.

If you are having a difficult time with the bowel prep then take a 30 minute break, wait for the nausea to subside. Then restart with drinking a smaller quantity at a time, take longer interval breaks in between each cup of bowel prep product.

Yes. Do your best to finish the prep. If you are having a difficult time with the bowel prep then take a 30 minute break, wait for the nausea to subside. Then restart with drinking a smaller quantity at a time, take longer interval breaks in between each cup of bowel prep product. As long as your stools are looking clear yellow then you did your job!

No, you should stop consuming any clear liquid diet at that point.

If you had solid food >24 hours prior to your procedure then you should be in the clear. If you had solid food <24 hours before your procedure its likely that your bowel prep will not be adequate and visualization will be impaired during the colonoscopy. Please contact your provider. Its very possible they will want you to reschedule.

Magnesium citrate will be offered as part of a “two day bowel prep” only for specific patients who have pre-existing history of constipation. If you have a history of kidney disease you should avoid this product so please make sure to let your GI provider know such details.

The bowel preparation itself should not affect your hemorrhoids. However, the frequent use of your rectal muscles in order to pass your bowel movements can irritate your hemorrhoids. This should not impede you from doing your bowel prep and your provider can you manage your hemorrhoids afterwards.

No. It should not impede you from having a successful procedure.

If you have a pre-existing history of constipation please let your GI doctor know. There are 2 day bowel preps for these situations and we have these instructions listed on our website.

Begin a LOW FIBER Diet including: white or sour dough bread, white rice, pasta, eggs, chicken, turkey, fish, cheese, yogurt, milk, ice cream, pudding, canned or cooked fruit/vegetables without skin or peel (carrots, cucumbers, potatoes) , pureed fruits/vegetables (smoothies, strained puree soups), creamy peanut or almond butter. Please note this is listed in detail in our bowel prep instructions.

General expectastion is that you will be in our practice 2-3 hours door to door. Please keep in mind that delays can occur for a variety of reasons and we aim to do our best to keep you on schedule.

Most procedures are scheduled for 30 minute intervals.

After having sedation for your procedure it is advised to have an escort to get you home safely. Above all else patient safety comes first.

In our practice it is advised to arrive 30 minutes prior to your procedure in order to get registered, review and sign consesnts, get changed and triaged, and have a health care provider get your initial pre procedure vitals along with IV line access. This takes a minimnum of 30 minutes and if you do not show up 30 minutes pre-procedure then you will automatically be late and will delay everyone elses procedure that comes after you.

Yes you are asleep for your procedure. The idea is to keep the patient comfortable, pain free, while under direct supervision of an anesthesiologist.

Yes.

Complications are generally very rare and can include, infections, bleeding, abdominal bloating, and nausea. A rare but important complication is called a perforation: where the mucosa of the digestive disease lining is torn from mechanical tension of the instrument. These often require urgent hospitalization and surgical correction of such a perforation.

Read more about #1 Prep Instructions for Your Colonoscopy