Colonoscopy is a procedure that allows the doctor to look inside your colon.  A thin tube with a viewing lens in passed through the anus into the colon, and the doctor can inspect the entire colon for polyps or tumors.  Polyps in the colon are common, and, if left to grow,  may eventually turn into colon cancer.  Removing them via colonscopy is the best way we know to prevent the development of colon cancer.  Timing of colonoscopy, and how often you will need colonoscopy, will be determined by your doctor.

Colonoscopy is an outpatient procedure performed under a light anesthetic, and takes usually less than 1 hour.  

For the doctor to see the colon lining clearly, the colon must be cleansed before the procedure.  This is done by a "bowel prep"  Our doctors may use one of two types of bowel preps, as listed below.

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Citrate of Magnesia prep for colonoscopy

Obtain 2 (TWO) bottles of Citrate of magnesia in your pharmacy.

On the day before your colonoscopy:

Drink ONLY clear liquids for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

At 12 noon, drink 1 (ONE) bottle of Citrate of Magnesia

****Drink at least 3 (THREE) 8 ounce portions of clear liquids following this*****

At 6 PM, drink the second bottle of Citrate of Magnesia

 

DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT!!

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CLEAR LIQUIDS ALLOWED:  Water, clear fruit juice (apple White grape, white cranaberry), boullion, plain jello, coffee or tea WITHOUT cream, milk,  or milk products, popsicles, soda (any flavor)

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NOT ALLOWED:   RED jello, RED popsicles, cream, milk, milk products, or solid foods  NO alcoholic beverages for 24 hours before the scheduled procedure.

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Miralax Prep for colonoscopy

Purchase  the following:

• 1 (ONE) box of Dulcolax Laxative tablets,

• 1 (ONE)  64 oz bottle of Gatorade  diabetics use G2. (any flavor but red)

• 1 (ONE) 8.3 oz bottle of Miralax

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On the day before surgery:

12 noon: take 2 dulcolax tablets

Drink ONLY clear liquids for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

2 PM: MIx the entire 64 oz bottle of Gatorade or G2 (64 oz) with the entire bottle (8.3 0z) of Miralax.  Drink 8 ox every twenty minutes until it is all finished

 

Continue to drink plenty of clear liquids throughout the day.

 

DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT!!

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