Preparing for your colonoscopy: Take the day off: It is recommended that you take the day off work on the day of your procedure. You should not make any important decisions for the rest of the day following the procedure. You should not drive for the rest of the day.
You will need to take off work the day of the procedure. Some patients who work evenings also take off work the day before the procedure to do the bowel prep.
As a general rule, it is best to take the rest of the day off from work after a colonoscopy and give yourself 24 hours to feel 100% normal again.
Following a normal colonoscopy, most patients are ready to return to work and all other routine activities 24 hours after the procedure. However, our patients should not hesitate to take more time to rest if needed.
The Day of Your Appointment
You should check your blood sugar level in the morning. Take all of your other regular medications at least two hours prior to your test. Stop taking anything by mouth (including clear liquids) at least two hours before the colonoscopy. Stop taking iron pills.
You'll still be able to work or go about your daily routine while on a clear liquid diet the day before the test, and then start the first part of the laxative regimen that evening. As a result, your time commitment is limited to the night before and the day of the procedure.
What if I've taken all my preparation and am still passing solid stool on the day of my exam? In this case, your procedure will need to be rescheduled. You may be prescribed a different preparation for your next procedure. Please call the triage nurse to reschedule your procedure with a different preparation.
This is a rough way to do it, but yes, you will have a very temporary weight loss of one to three pounds typically. But, just as with your bowel habits, these few pounds will return as well once you resume your normal diet.
For your safety, do not drive, operate machinery, or power tools for at least 8 hours after getting sedation. Your doctor may tell you not to drive or operate machinery until the day after your test. Do not sign legal documents or make major decisions for at least 8 hours after getting sedation.
It is recommended that you do not go back to work, do any strenuous exercise, drive, or sign any legal documents for 24 hours after the procedure. If you are taking any anti-coagulant medication (i.e., Coumadin, Heparin), please be sure to notify your doctor.
The medicine you received during the procedure may stay in your body for up to 24 hours. You may feel tired or sleepy and have difficulty concentrating. Once you get home, relax for the rest of the day.
Studies have indicated that colonoscopies done during the morning hours have actually contributed to more accurate findings due to a number of varying factors. Although it might not be a thrill to wake up earlier than usual, it could just help your overall health.
While everyone's body is different, most people are able to complete their round of purging before going to sleep for the night. If you're taking a split dose, you may have to wake up early to take your second dose on the morning of your colonoscopy. But you should be able to sleep in between.
The discomfort of the procedure can make it difficult to pass urine and empty the bladder. It is important that your bladder does not seize up completely. If you cannot get the urine flowing properly after six hours, contact the nurses or your doctor.
Colonoscopy Recovery: After the Procedure
The effects of the sedation could last up to a day, so you should not drive or operate any machinery until the following day. You may feel gassy or bloated for a while after the procedure because of the air that was injected into your intestine during the colonoscopy.
One type of food that is recommended after a colonoscopy is clear liquids, including water, broth, and juices. These drinks will rehydrate your body and provide the fluids you need to get back to normal.
Colonoscopy is proven to reduce colorectal cancer incidence and mortality. Due to the limitations of existing hospital gowns, the buttocks and genitals are often exposed during the procedure.
You may keep most clothing on for upper endoscopy as well as comfortable shirt and socks for colonoscopy. Women may keep their bra on for the procedure. Please do not wear lotions, oils or perfumes/cologne to the center due to the monitoring devices.
Preparing for a colonoscopy requires clearing the bowel with fasting, a laxative drink and, in some cases, an enema. While such preparation can alter the microbiome, the rich array of microbes that are present in the gut, research suggests that the microbiome bounces back in about two to four weeks.
After a colonoscopy, you will need to recover from the effects of the sedation, which usually wear off within 30 minutes, and you may need to rest after your colonoscopy preparations. You may experience some discomfort and mild pain in the abdominal area as air is relieved from the procedure and leaves your colon.
Vandersteen's last requirement before his patients can leave: “You've got to fart before you can go. Fart shamelessly and don't feel bashful. The colon needs to be inflated during a colonoscopy so I can see inside. Therefore, passing gas afterward helps to relieve any pressure or bloating you may feel.”
bowels at least 10-15 times.