Please read and follow these instructions carefully.  A complete colonoscopy cannot be completed if your colon is not clean and you will be rescheduled.

7 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR EXAM:

• Discontinue all Iron supplements.

3 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR EXAM:

• Purchase your bowel prep at the pharmacy.
• Discontinue all blood thinning drugs (prescription and non-prescription), including Coumadin, Plavix, Xarelto, Elequis, Pradaxa, Prasugrel, Brilinta, Cilostazol, Aggrenox, Aspirin and any aspirin-containing medications (e.g. Bayer, Anacin, Excedrin, Advil, Naprosyn (Naproxen), Alka Seltzer, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve or any arthritis pain medications. REMEMBER! The physician that prescribed your blood thinner medication MUST approve this action BEFORE you discontinue these medications when you are taking them for blood thinning.   
• Avoid nuts, seeds, whole wheat bread, beans, corn, raw fruits and vegetables with seeds or skin as they may adversely influence the quality of your exam.

1 DAY PRIOR TO YOUR EXAM:

• Restrict your diet to CLEAR LIQUIDS ONLY. No solid food until after the procedure and stay hydrated.
  • CLEAR LIQUIDS INCLUDE: water, chicken/beef/vegetable broth, flavored waters, apple juice, Jell-O, Kool-Aid, coffee, tea, Sprite, Gatorade, PowerAde, Mountain Dew, Coke/Pepsi, Rootbeer, and Slurpee’s.
  • DO NOT DRINK milk or use any dairy or non-dairy creamer in your coffee or tea.
  • DO NOT DRINK anything colored RED, PURPLE, or ORANGE or that contains pulp material.
  • DO NOT DRINK alcoholic beverages.
• Using your GALLON PREP KIT the day prior to the exam follow the timeline below:
  • Morning:
    • Add water to gallon jug, shake well, and put it in the refrigerator.
  • At 5:00 p.m. complete following steps:
    • Step 1: Start half of your prep (1½ gallon). You may have small sips of Sprite or Ginger Ale along with the prep to help settle your stomach.
    • Step 2:  Drink the first ½ gallon within 2 hours of when you begin drinking. 
  • 5-6 hours before your exam (THIS MAY REQUIRE THAT YOU GET UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT) complete the following steps: 
    • Step 1: Start the remaining ½ gallon.
    • Step 2: Drink the rest of the prep within 2 hours of starting the remaining ½ gallon. Be sure to finish the prep.

*NOTE: If you become nauseated during the prep, stop for one hour and then resume. You must finish ALL the prep. There may be some discomfort in the beginning, use the restroom as needed. Please look in the toilet to see if your results are clear or yellow in color. If your bottom gets sore during the prep you can use baby wipes, Vaseline, or Desitin applied to the anal area for relief.

DAY OF YOUR EXAM:

• You may NOT have anything to EAT UNTIL AFTER THE PROCEDURE and may ONLY HAVE CLEAR LIQUIDS up until 3 HOURS PRIOR to your check in time.
• You MUST be accompanied by an adult who will remain at the facility and drive you home after your colonoscopy. You may NOT work or drive for 12 hours after the procedure. Plan on spending 2-3 hours at the facility.
• Wear comfortable clothing.  Bring your glasses, hearing aids, insurance cards and completed information forms, if applicable.  Avoid bringing valuables.

*NOTE:  If your stool is not clear or yellow in color please contact the GI Lab you are scheduled at to see what your next steps are.

MEDICATIONS:

• You may not take any medication on the morning of your procedure except for any necessary blood pressure, heart, Parkinson’s and/or seizure medication with a small sip of water up until 3 hours prior to your procedure.
• If you are on ANTIBIOTIC PROPHYLAXIS: 
  • According to the latest information from the American Gastroenterology Association and of Endocarditis (infection of the heart valve), you do not need antibiotic prophylaxis before a colonoscopy.
• If you take DIABETIC MEDICATIONS:
  • Oral Hypoglycemic medications (such as Metformin): can be taken in the morning the day before your procedure. Please do not take these medications the night before or the morning of your procedure.
  • Insulin: Please take your insulin the morning prior to your procedure. Please do not take insulin the night prior or the morning of your procedure.

OTHER INFORMATION:

• Please be aware that your scheduled procedure time is tentative and may change.
• You will receive three separate phone calls prior to your procedure: 1-Registration 2-Nurse 3-Clinic. If you do not receive these phone calls 1 day prior to procedure, please call our office immediately.
• If you need to cancel or reschedule your procedure, please call our office at least 2 days prior to your procedure at: 801-387-5620.
• If you have any biopsies or polyps removed, and don’t hear from us within 5 business days you may call our clinic to receive your test results.
• You may receive up to 4 separate bills: 1-facility 2- physician 3-pathology 4-anesthesia