Colonoscopy Preparation

Address Special Circumstances First

• Are you on blood thinners such as Coumadin (Wafarin) or Plavix?
  • If you are prescribed blood thinning agents, consult with the prescribing physician to see about temporarily discontinuing prior your procedure
• Are you an insulin dependent diabetic with unstable blood sugars?
  • If so, contact your primary care provider about missing a dose the morning of your colonoscopy
• Do you have an artificial heart valve, history of endocarditis, symptomatic mitral valve prolapse or prosthetic joints?
  • If so, please inform us at the time your procedure is scheduled as you may require IV antibiotics prior to your colonoscopy. Upon arrival at the surgery center or hospital on the day of your procedure, notify the nurse immediately that you are to have IV antibiotics prior to your colonoscopy to avoid any delay in starting your procedure.
• Do you have diabetes, cirrhosis, congestive heart failure and/or kidney failure?
  • If so, you should use ONLY the Halflyte, MoviPrep, or Golytely for your prep. Please contact our office to obtain instructions and a prescription if you have not already done so.

Contact Your Insurance Provider

• Check your benefits and pre-authorization requirements

Complete Pre-Admissions testing

• Forms are available here or at our office

Arrange Transportation

• You must have someone with you to drive you home or accompany you on public transportation.
• You will be receiving IV sedation and you can expect to be drowsy for several hours the procedure.
• If you have not made transportation arrangements, your colonoscopy will be canceled and you will need to reschedule. No exceptions can or will be made.

Medications

• Do not take aspirin or any form of blood thinners for at least seven days prior to surgery
• If you are diabetic, do not take insulin or oral medication the morning of your colonoscopy
• Consult with the prescribing physician before discontinuing or skipping a dose of a prescription
  • Other medications, especially those prescribed for blood pressure, heart, and seizure, should be taken as usual with a small sip of water the day of your procedure

Food

• Avoid vegetables, seeds and salads for 2 days before the procedure
• Consume a clear liquid diet the entire day before the procedure
• Nothing after midnight the night before the procedure

Prep Solution

Instructions for Miralax prep can be found here.

• It is important to take as much of your prep as possible.
• Make sure you are near a restroom when drinking the prep. Diarrhea usually begins in 1-2 hours.
• Use soft toilet tissue or pre-moistened bathroom wipes to prevent soreness. Don’t rub, but gently pat the area and apply a protective ointment such as Vaseline or Desitin between bowel movements.
• If drinking the prep solution causes nausea, try drinking it more slowly. Walking and other activities usually decrease nausea. Call our office if nausea or vomiting is unmanageable.
• You may feel fullness and cramps after drinking the prep solution. This is normal.
• You may chew gum or suck on hard candies while drinking the solution.

The Day of Your Colonoscopy

• Take your regular medications with a small sip of water, unless otherwise noted above
• Arrive at the facility at least an hour early to check in, complete paperwork, and changes clothes. An IV will also be placed for sedation.
• You may not drive or work for the rest of the day after your procedure

If you need to cancel or reschedule, please call 513-793-9835 at least 7 days prior to your appointment to avoid a $175 cancellation fee. This courtesy on your part will also allow us to schedule another patient from our waiting list.