Preparation For Colonoscopy
Diet and Preparation Prior to Colonoscopy
Preparation for the colonoscopy procedure starts in the first consultation with your physician. Issues such as reviewing the medications you are taking, your current diseases and other important medical conditions are among the things that need to be done for preparation. Be sure to ask all your questions to your physician who will perform the colonoscopy and start preparing for your procedure without doubt.
Before The Procedure
- The intestines must be empty and clean for the success of colonoscopy. Thus, solid food intake should be stopped 48 hours before the procedure and only clear liquid-soft foods should be consumed.
Clear, light colored fruit juice, seedless compote, tea, meat and chicken stock, chicken, banana and boiled potatoes can be consumed 48-24 hours before the procedure.
Only clear, light colored fruit juice, seedless compote, tea, meat and chicken stock (chicken, banana and boiled potatoes cannot be consumed anymore) can be consumed 24-8 hours before the procedure. - Please start drinking the solution prescribed by your physician at 15:00 the day before the procedure and finish it around 19:00. You will be instructed in detail by your physician depending on type of the medication.
- The medication basically causes diarrhea and cleanse your bowel. Therefore, drink an ample amount of water after taking the medication (be sure to drink 2.5-3 liters of water until 12:00 p.m., unless you are diagnosed with heart failure).
- You should be hungry and thirsty from 12 o'clock the night before the colonoscopy procedure (do not eat or drink anything, including water, as if you are fasting).
- You are advised to have a companion.
- Please bring the report and test results listed below with you if performed before:
- Gastroscopy and colonoscopy reports and, if available, pathology reports of those procedures
- Abdominal USG, CT and MRI
- Hemogram if available
- Results showing Vitamin B12 and iron level
- You should absolutely consult your physician prior to the procedure if you have serious rhythm or conduction disorders in heart, pacemaker, severe respiratory distress and any other important disorders.
Other issues you should pay attention to:
Blood thinners and anticoagulants: A biopsy sample can be collected if warranted and polypectomy (polyp removal) can be performed if present during endoscopic examinations such as gastroscopy and colonoscopy. Therefore, blood thinners (Aspirin, Coraspin and Ecopirin containing acetylsalicylic acid; Tromboliz and Drisentin containing dipyridamole; Plavix, Plavidol, Atervix containing clopidogrel etc.) and anticoagulant drugs (Coumadin [warfarin], Xarelto [rivaroxaban]) should be discontinued 5-6 days before the procedure, and short-acting blood thinners should be started instead.
IT IS MANDATORY FOR YOU TO CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN WHO STARTED YOU ON THESE MEDICATIONS ONE WEEK BEFORE THE PROCEDURE (unless it will be regulated by your physician who will perform the endoscopy)
Other Medications: As you will be fasting, please do not take your anti-diabetic medications (again, you should firstly consult your physician who started you on these medications and discontinue appropriately). You can take your medications of vital importance. In the morning of the procedure, if your blood pressure is NORMAL or HIGH, take your hypertension medications; however, please do not take them if it is LOW. Discuss your important disorders or diseases with your physician prior to the procedure, if any.
After The Procedure
Driving: You should refrain from driving on the day of procedure as you will be given sedatives.