Procedures & Prep Faq
At ADHEC, we know the more you know about your upcoming procedure, the better your comfort level will be. The following information provides a brief overview of some of our more common procedures.
Procedure Information
During the Procedure
During a colonoscopy, you’ll wear a gown but likely nothing else. Sedation is usually recommended. Sometimes a mild sedative is given in pill form. In other cases, the sedative is combined with an intravenous pain medication to minimize any discomfort.
You’ll begin the exam lying on your side on the exam table, usually with your knees drawn toward your chest. The doctor will insert a colonoscope into your rectum. The scope, which is long enough to reach the entire length of your colon, contains a light and a tube (channel) that allows the doctor to pump air into your colon. The air inflates the colon, which provides a better view of the lining of the colon. When the scope is moved or air is introduced, you may feel abdominal cramping or the urge to have a bowel movement.
The colonoscope also contains a tiny video camera at its tip. The camera sends images to an external monitor so the doctor can study the inside of your colon. The doctor can also insert instruments through the channel to take tissue samples (biopsies) or remove polyps or other areas of abnormal tissue.
A colonoscopy typically takes about 20 minutes to an hour.
After the Procedure
After the exam, it takes about an hour to begin to recover from the sedative. You’ll need someone to take you home because it can take up to a day for the full effects of the sedative to wear off.
Don’t drive or go back to work for the rest of the day!
If your doctor removed a polyp during your colonoscopy, you may be advised to eat a special diet temporarily.
You may feel bloated or pass gas for a few hours after the exam, as you clear the air from your colon. Walking may help relieve any discomfort.
You may also notice a small amount of blood with your first bowel movement after the exam. Usually this isn’t cause for alarm. Consult your doctor if you continue to pass blood or blood clots or if you have persistent abdominal pain or a fever of 100 F (37.8 C) or higher.
Prep FAQs
Colonoscopy preparation is an important part of the colonoscopy procedure that is often done at home, following directions given by a gastroenterologist. The preparation is often the most uncomfortable part, because light sedation or “twilight sleep” is normally used during the procedure to prevent any discomfort. Many people will not even remember what happened during the actual test.
The goal of the colonoscopy prep is to eliminate all fecal matter (stool) from the colon so that the physician conducting the colonoscopy will have a clear view of the intestinal wall.
There are several ways to achieve this, and some doctors and patients will have their own unique methods that work best for them. There are, however, three main types of preparation: Golytely (also sold under the names Colyte, or Nulytely), phospho-soda, and sodium phosphate tablets (Osmo-Prep and Visicol).
Golytely
This preparation will require a prescription from the doctor. It consists of a gallon jug with a powder mix inside. The patient will fill the jug with water and mix in the powder to make a drink. The instructions are usually to drink one 8 oz glass of the mixture every 10 minutes until the entire gallon is finished or eliminations are clear. After the first few glasses, bowel evacuation (in the form of diarrhea) will begin. Before the gallon is finished, many people find that their evacuations are totally clear and all the stool is cleaned out of the colon.
If eliminations do not become clear after the gallon is finished, an enema may be needed. Some people do experience nausea when drinking so much liquid, so the physician may prescribe an anti-nausea medication in case it is needed.
Golytely now comes in several flavors to make it more palatable and easier to drink.
Phospho-soda
Phospho-soda is a powder that is available over the counter either by itself or as part of a kit that also includes a laxative and an enema or suppository. The physician performing the colonoscopy will give instructions on which type of kit to purchase.
Three ounces of the phospho-soda liquid is mixed with water, or if the physician allows, other clear liquids such as ginger ale. After drinking the phospho-soda mixture, most patients are instructed to drink at least 3 glasses of another clear liquid. If part of a kit, the rest of the kit (laxative, enema, or suppository) will then be used according to doctor’s instructions.
This preparation usually results in a bowel movement anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 hours after it is taken. Phospho-soda is also available in flavors to make it more palatable. Most physicians will instruct patients to call their office if the preparation does not progress as expected (for example, there is no bowel movement at all or the evacuations never becomes clear).
Sodium phosphate
Sodium phosphate tablets are prescribed by the doctor doing the colonoscopy. There are two different brands, depending on which your doctor prescribes — Visicol, a 40-tablet regimen, and Osmo-Prep, a 32-tablet regimen.
With Visicol, 7 doses are taken in 15-minute intervals: 3 tablets are taken for 6 doses, and then 2 tablets are taken for 1 dose (20 tablets total). The next morning, 3 to 5 hours before the test, the same dosage is repeated (3 tablets for 6 doses, and then 2 tablets for 1 dose, in 15-minute intervals for a total of 20 tablets).
The prep begins to take effect about an hour after the first dosage of tablets is taken. A liquid diet is usually prescribed starting about 12 hours before starting the regimen. Potential side effects include bloating, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
In Osmo-Prep (the newer form), the tablets are taken the evening before and the morning of the colonoscopy. The evening before the test, 4 tablets are taken with 8 ounces of a clear liquid every 15 minutes for a total of 5 doses (20 tablets total). The next morning, about 3 to 5 hours before the test, another 3 doses of 4 tablets are taken at 15 minute intervals (12 tablets total).
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below may help you for before, during, and after your procedure.
Q. May I eat or drink on the day of my exam or procedure?
A. Do not eat or drink or use tobacco products after midnight the night before your procedure, except your colon prep as instructed. Not following these orders can be dangerous and can cause your case to be cancelled.
Q. What should I bring with me to the center?
A. Please bring your insurance card and form of payment for any co-pays/deductibles. Wear comfortable, loose clothing and low-heeled shoes. Please do not wear contact lenses, make-up, body lotion, perfume and other cosmetics. Leave ALL jewelry and other valuables at home.
Q. How long will the procedure take?
A. An EGD typically takes 15 to 20 minutes. A colonoscopy typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will then be in recovery for approximately 30 minutes. Please allow at least 2-3 hours for the entire process from registration to discharge.
Q. Will I be in pain when I wake up?
A. For an EGD, a patient sometimes has a mild sore throat, which is very temporary and promptly responds to saline gargles.
For a colonoscopy, you may feel some slight abdominal cramping or a sensation of having gas, but this is temporary.
Q. Do I need someone to take me home?
A. Yes, as your procedure will be cancelled if you have not arranged for a responsible adult to take you home. Also, we cannot discharge a patient via taxi, Uber or Lyft.
During the Procedure
- To reduce any anal discomfort, use adult wet wipes or a water spray to clean the rectal area instead of toilet paper.
- Keep plenty of clear liquids on hand to drink. Water gets boring and staying hydrated is important.
- Follow the doctor’s instructions. You wouldn’t want to have to do the prep all over again because you didn’t get it right the first time.
- Be prepared to spend most of the day before your test on the toilet.
- Call the doctor’s office for help if you have any trouble or don’t understand the prep instructions.