Preparation

Your preparation steps will vary based on the specific preparation prescribed for you. Please follow the instructions outlined below and do not follow the directions listed on the box of your preparation.

Be aware that medication and dietary adjustments may begin as early as 14 days prior to your colonoscopy. Please read your instructions thoroughly for detailed information.

Select your prescribed preparation instructions below:

• Suprep Split Preparation
• Nulytely Split Preparation

You will be at Digestive Health Center 1 to 2 hours for your procedure. When you arrive, please call us from your car. Our front office staff will ask you check-in questions, and then have you come inside to fill out some paperwork and to present your insurance card, photo identification, and medication list. Then one of our nurses will admit you and prepare you for the procedure. You will change into a gown and store your belongings in a sanitized storage container in the OR, after which the nurse will start an IV. Before any sedation is administered, Dr. Stout will meet with you for a complete consultation. When you and Dr. Stout are ready to begin the procedure, Dr. Stout will administer your sedation. Procedures generally take less than half an hour to complete. When finished, you will be wheeled to the recovery room where you will sleep off the sedation and then prepare to go home. Dr. Stout will meet with you and call your driver (if you permit) before you leave to review his findings. A nurse will call you to follow up a few days afterward to be certain you are doing well.

You will not be permitted to drive for 12 hours following your procedure due to the sedation. However, if you choose to forgo sedation, there are no driving restrictions. Additionally, you may not consume alcohol or sign any legally binding documents the day of your procedure.

We recommend taking the entire day off from work to rest and relax following the procedure. Often patients will feel back to normal later in the day as the sedation effects wear off.

You will lose a lot of fluid during the preparation process, so it is extremely important to hydrate after your procedure. Even slight dehydration can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and headache. Be certain to drink plenty of clear liquids, especially water.

If any blood work, biopsies, or stool samples are taken during your procedure, a letter will be mailed to you if your results are normal. You will receive a phone call if there is an abnormal result that needs to be discussed. It usually takes about 7 business days for the lab and pathology results to be returned and for you to be notified.

MEDICATIONS:

Do not take blood pressure medications the morning of the procedure. This may include but is not limited to Lisinopril, Toprol, Metoprolol, Lopressor, Prinivil, and Zestril. Please contact your prescribing physician if you are not sure if your medication lowers your blood pressure.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE RESTRICTIONS:

For a morning appointment, do not eat any food or drink any liquids after midnight of the previous day.

For an afternoon appointment, no food after midnight of the previous day. You may have clear liquids only until 4 hours prior to your appointment time. Clear liquids include: water, clear juices without pulp such as apple or white grape juice, clear soda, lemon/lime Gatorade, or clear broth. NO solid foods, gelatin, coffee, dark tea, dairy products, or red or purple colored liquids.

You will be at Digestive Health Center 2 to 2 ½ hours for your procedure. When you arrive, our front office staff will ask you to fill out some paperwork and to present your insurance card, photo identification, and medication list. Then one of our nurses will admit you and prepare you for the procedure. You will change into a gown and store your belongings in a locker, after which the nurse will move you to an OR and start an IV. Before any sedation is administered, Dr. Stout will meet with you for a complete consultation. When you and Dr. Stout are ready to begin the procedure, Dr. Stout will administer your sedation. Procedures generally take less than half an hour to complete. When finished, you will be wheeled to the recovery room where you will sleep off the sedation and then prepare to go home. Dr. Stout will meet with you and your driver (if you permit) before you leave to review his findings. A nurse will call you to follow up a few days afterward to be certain you are doing well.

You will not be permitted to drive for 12 hours following your procedure due to the sedation. However, if you choose to forgo sedation, there are no driving restrictions. Additionally, you may not consume alcohol or sign any legally binding documents the day of your procedure.

We recommend taking the entire day off from work to rest and relax following the procedure. Often patients will feel back to normal later in the day as the sedation effects wear off.

If any blood work or biopsies are taken during your procedure, a letter will be mailed to you if your results are normal. You will receive a phone call if there is an abnormal result that needs to be discussed. It usually takes about 7-10 business days for the lab and pathology results to be returned and for you to be notified.