A colonoscopy is a procedure that uses a small diameter flexible tube to look inside the rectum and colon. If polyps or other abnormal growths are seen, they are removed during the procedure. If any biopsies are necessary, they are also taken during the examination. Sedation medications are given through an IV at the beginning of the colonoscopy to make the procedure painless.
In order to prepare for a colonoscopy, a clear liquid diet is given 24 hours prior to the date of the procedure (no solid food eaten). Clear liquids include items such as soup broth, coffee without milk/cream, apple juice, sport drinks/Gatorade, jello, etc. No red or purple liquids should be consumed. The night before the procedure, a bowel preparation is ingested to cleanse the colon. Because sedation medications are given, all liquids are stopped 6 hours before the procedure time (and still no solid food). The 6 hours gives time for the stomach to empty and allows for safe administration of the sedation medications for the colonoscopy.
Please remember that driving and legal decisions are not permitted for 24 hours after the colonoscopy to allow time for the sedation medications to wear off. For safety reasons, it is necessary to have a driver on the day of the colonoscopy.
In order to prepare for a colonoscopy, a clear liquid diet is given 24 hours prior to the date of the procedure (no solid food eaten). Clear liquids include items such as soup broth, coffee without milk/cream, apple juice, sport drinks/Gatorade, jello, etc. No red or purple liquids should be consumed. The night before the procedure, a bowel preparation is ingested to cleanse the colon. Because sedation medications are given, all liquids are stopped 6 hours before the procedure time (and still no solid food). The 6 hours gives time for the stomach to empty and allows for safe administration of the sedation medications for the colonoscopy.
Please remember that driving and legal decisions are not permitted for 24 hours after the colonoscopy to allow time for the sedation medications to wear off. For safety reasons, it is necessary to have a driver on the day of the colonoscopy.