About

This procedure enables your surgeon to examine the lining of the colon. A bendable, lighted tube about the thickness of your little finger is inserted through the rectum and is advanced to the other end of the large intestine.

This page is a small summary of the information needed when you are having this procedure. Please click the link below to download more in-depth pamphlets.

Preparation

There will be food and fluid restrictions before your procedure. Your surgeon will inform you on which preparation pamphlet you must follow.

Arrange for a driver to bring you home after the colonoscopy. Because you receive sedating medication during the procedure, it is unsafe for you to drive or operate machinery for 8 hours after the procedure.

Recovery

After your colonoscopy you will stay in a recovery room for about 30 minutes for observation. You may feel some cramping or a sensation of having gas, but this usually passes quickly.

You can resume your normal diet.

Read your discharge instructions carefully. Certain medications, such as blood-thinning agents, may need to be avoided temporarily if biopsies were taken or polyps were removed.

How do I get ready for this test?

7 days before your test:

• Stop all blood thinning medications if you take them. This includes Aspirin and Plavix. If you have questions about any medications you take, call your doctor or the Endoscopy Unit.

• Fill the colonoscopy preparation prescription that the doctor gave you. You will be getting:
  • 4 Ducolax tablets
  • 1 bottle of Prep drink

1 day before the procedure

1. In the morning, begin a clear liquid diet which includes;
   soup broth
   black tea
   black coffee
   jello,
   popsicles
   fruit juices (clear with no pulp)
   water
   Gatorade
   ABSOLUTELY NO SOLID FOOD, NO MILK OR MILK PRODUCTS AND NO LIQUID THAT IS RED OR PURPLE IN COLOUR.
   Drink as much as you can throughout the day (a minimum of 5 litres and up to 20 litres of clear fluids).
   Do not drink just water alone. Too much plain water can be harmful. Include other clear liquids in your diet.

2. Take two Dulcolax tablets at 3 pm.

3. Take the first packet of Pico Salax and mix with five ounces of cold water at 4:00 PM followed by as much clear liquid as possible (2 to 4 liters).

4. Take the second packet of Pico Salax and mix with five ounces of cold water at 10:00 PM followed by as much clear liquid as possible (2 to 4 liters).

5. After midnight you can drink clear fluids (8 ounces or 500 ml only) up to 2 hours before your procedure.

6. You can take your regular morning medications with a sip of water.

You may want to wear protection for the loose stools that you will have. Talk to someone at your pharmacy for help with these products.

Follow your doctor’s instructions about taking oral diabetes medication or insulin on the morning of your test. Call your doctor in advance for advice.

Coming to the hospital on the day of your test

Bring all health insurance information to the hospital such as:

• Ontario Health Insurance Plan card.

• Any other health insurance papers such as Blue Cross or Metropolitan.

• A list of the current medications you take.

Arrive at the hospital 1.5 hours before your procedure.

If you do not speak English or French, please bring one person who can interpret for you.