The hardest thing about colonoscopy is often the prep the day before the actual screening. Here are our best tips to help you through your colon prep.
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- Try to schedule a morning appointment so you can eat sooner after the colonoscopy. Monday mornings can help you avoid taking more time off work by doing the prep on Sunday, but that day is the one in most demand by patients.
- Limit your diet a few days before your prep day. A clean colon makes it easier to find and remove polyps. Several days before the procedure, limit your diet to low-fiber foods. Eliminate raw vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds.
- The day before your procedure you must eat a clear, liquid diet. Your provider will give you specific instructions on how to prepare. Follow these directions so you don’t have to do it again.
Here are some foods to include the week before:
- White rice, pasta, bread
- Mashed potatoes, no skin
- Canned fruits and veggies
- Clear fruit juices, apple is best
- Jell-O, avoid red, blue or purple coloring
- Clear soft drinks
- Coffee and tea
- Broth
What to Do the Day Before Your Colonoscopy
You’ll be prescribed a laxative; make sure to follow the directions. Here are some more pre-colonoscopy tips:
- Use a straw for the laxative. Make sure it’s chilled to help with taste.
- Splitting the dose can make the prep more tolerable — take half at night and the rest in the morning. Follow your doctor’s directions closely, and make sure to ask your doctor any questions you have.
- Mix your prep with something that has electrolytes such as a sports drink — but avoid purple or red varieties.
- Chew on gum or hard candies between glasses.
- Stay close to a bathroom and stock it with magazines, books or a fully charged tablet.
- Use flushable moistened baby wipes for added comfort.
- Apply hemorrhoid cream or diaper rash ointment before the prep to protect your skin. Reapply as often as necessary.
Remember, if you're nearing your 45th birthday – or it has passed – it’s time to schedule a colonoscopy.
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