After a colonoscopy, eat foods that are soft and easy to digest to ease side effects such as bloating or gas. This may include eggs, white toast, and applesauce for breakfast. For lunch or dinner, choices could include lean chicken without skin, mashed potatoes, and soft-cooked carrots.
Since the menu is low in fiber, protein, and fat, many experts now say you should resume your normal eating habits within 24 hours. Still, eating exclusively bland foods does allow your digestive system to rest and recuperate following the events of the last few days.
Soft/bland foods
For the first day or two post-colonoscopy, it's advised to eat soft, bland foods that are easy to digest and aren't likely to worsen stomach upset like nausea or diarrhea. Here are some great foods to have on hand: Soup. Crackers.
The First Week after a Colonoscopy
After polyps are removed it can take up to a week for the patient to fully recover. During this time, patients should avoid all strenuous activities, which includes lifting anything over five pounds.
You can start to eat your usual diet after your colonoscopy, unless your doctor gives you other instructions. Unless your doctor has told you not to, drink plenty of fluids. This helps to replace the fluids that were lost during the colon prep. Do not drink alcohol for at least 8 hours after your procedure.
You can eat when you get home, but have light meals. Have foods that are easy to digest, such as soup, crackers, toast, chicken, fish or cooked vegetables. Do not eat foods that may cause bloating and gas, such as beans, onions, garlic, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, chocolate or spicy foods.
Since the colon's lining may be irritated, your doctor may recommend that you drink generous amounts of fluids and eat soft, mild foods for the first day or two. Foods you can eat after the procedure include: Scrambled eggs.
You may experience loose stool or no stool for up to three days following the procedure.
Eat yogurt and kefir that is high in probiotics for several days after your colonoscopy. Make sure that the label says that there are billions of live cultures contained. Take a probiotic supplement in the morning on an empty stomach.
Foods to Limit or Avoid
The American Cancer Society (ACS) also recommends avoiding the following foods to lower your risk for colon and rectal cancer: Fatty foods like butter, ice cream and cheese. Red meat. Processed meat like hot dogs, bacon and sausage.
Post-Colonoscopy Complications
Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms after your test: Severe pain or cramping in your belly. A hard belly. Trouble passing gas or pooping.
Bleeding is one of the most common complications of colonoscopy, accounting for 0.3-6.1% of cases[35,36].
Complications related to colonoscopy include, but are not limited to, the following: Continued bleeding after biopsy (tissue sample) or polyp removal. Nausea, vomiting, bloating or rectal irritation caused by the procedure or by the preparatory bowel cleansing.
Some colonoscopies are done using gas and air as a patient preference, which can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded for a short period. After sedation, you may feel a little more tired for the rest of the day and will be advised to avoid driving for 24 hours, or operating any machinery and avoiding alcohol.
You can enjoy pizza a few days before the procedure, but afterward, it is strongly recommended that you wait for a couple of hours before consuming pizza. Pizza can be quite difficult to digest after a colonoscopy. It is smart to give your colon time to heal before you go back to eating as usual.
Your physician may recommend maintaining a soft, low-residue diet after your procedure. For example, this consists of low-fiber foods and dairy, which are very easy to digest and don't produce much stool. Here are some foods and drinks you can have after a colonoscopy: water.
Don't drive or make important decisions or go back to work for the rest of the day. You may feel bloated or pass gas for a few hours after the exam, as you clear the air from your colon. Walking may help relieve any discomfort. You may also notice a small amount of blood with your first bowel movement after the exam.
By the end of your prep, your stool should become a clear, yellow-tinged fluid.
When will I stop moving my bowels? Most people stop moving their bowels about 2 – 3 hours after finishing the solution. People are different and some have liquid movements until the time of the procedure. The instrument used during the colonoscopy will suction out any liquid left in the bowel.
Colonoscopies performed in the afternoon (PM) have been shown to have lower adenoma detection rates (ADR) compared to those in the morning (AM). Endoscopist fatigue has been suggested as a possible reason. Colonoscopies tend to be technically more challenging in female patients.
Your doctor may also recommend you follow a soft, low-residue diet immediately after the procedure. This consists of a limited amount of dairy, plus low-fiber foods which are easy to digest and produce less stool. Foods and drinks to have the day after your colonoscopy include: drinks with electrolytes.
Following your colonoscopy
The air pumped into your colon may cause continued bloating and cramps for an hour or so. You should, in fact, pass gas during and after the procedure to relieve the lingering cramps. You'll feel groggy after the procedure and should arrange to have a friend or family member take you home.