Colonoscopy prep in Lubbock, TX
Colonoscopy prep in Lubbock, TX
Preparing for a colonoscopy could be challenging but it’s important to prepare for your colonoscopy procedure adequately.
If you prepare well for your colonoscopy in Lubbock, your doctor will be able to see inside your colon. Clearly, the colonoscopy procedure will go faster, and you will get accurate results.
Below are four steps on how to prepare for a colonoscopy:
Plan Your Prep Routine
Planning is the first step to preparing for a colonoscopy. After scheduling your appointment for the procedure, the doctor provides you with the necessary information to get ready.
Read them before your appointment, and call your doctor if you have any questions.
Clear your schedule for the evening before and the day of your colonoscopy, and get someone to accompany you on your appointment day.
Shop for necessary supplies several days ahead to ensure that you have everything you need before the procedure.
Adjust Your Diet
One of the best ways to help your colonoscopy process is by eating light 3 or 4 days before the procedure. Your diet should be white bread, pasta, rice, well-cooked vegetables without skin, and fruit without skin or seeds.
Avoid seeds, raw veggies, nuts, whole grains, popcorn, fatty foods and tough meats. Discontinue the use of vitamin supplements.
Review any prescription medicines you use regularly and any over-the-counter anti-inflammatory or blood thinning meds you use with your doctor to know if or when to discontinue them.
The Fast
The day before your procedure, you can’t eat anything solid. You’re only to consume liquid food.
It is essential to stay hydrated by drinking lots of clear liquids, such as sports drinks, clear juice like apple and white grape, and clear broth. Stay away from cream-filled coffee, as the dyes can discolor the colon and make the lining challenging for the doctor to see.
Avoid alcohol and drinks that are opaque. The real fast takes place two to four hours before the procedure. Be sure not to drink or eat anything 2 to 4 hours before your colonoscopy procedure.
The Purge
The night before your colonoscopy, you must take laxatives to clear your digestive tract. You’ll need to drink half of the liquid laxative mixture in the evening, and the other half is to be taken at about 6 hours before your appointment.
Once the laxative starts working, you’ll experience forceful and frequent diarrhea. You may have cramps and feel bloated.
One-week Colonoscopy Diet
During your preparation, it’s better to have your 1-week pre-colonoscopy diet planned down to make the entire process seamless. There are plenty of great-tasting foods you can still enjoy while staying away from a specific diet.
A 1-week colonoscopy diet can include smoothies, soft fruits, vegetable soups, and scrambled eggs.
Below is a sample menu for days leading to the colonoscopy procedure as recommended by the Colon Cancer Alliance.
- Breakfast: Take Greek yogurt with bananas and honey
- Lunch: Take Omelet with a side of sliced honeydew
- Dinner: Take vegetable broth with steamed veggies
- Dessert: Take Jello or gelatin without added fruit
What can you not eat five days before a colonoscopy?
Avoid eating the following foods for five days before your colonoscopy:
- Nuts, seeds, dried fruits, peas, and dried beans.
- Whole grains and cereals.
- Fresh fruits and raw vegetables.
- Pulpy fruit juices.
Three Days Before Your Procedure
By the time it’s three days before your colonoscopy, you should start preparing by doing the following:
- Starting on a low-fiber to help your colonoscopy prep.
- Discontinue the use of supplements and anti-diarrheal medication.
- If you are taking medication for diabetes and cardiac conditions, follow the instructions you’ve received for managing those medications during the procedure preparation.
- Avoid foods containing red, blue, or purple dyes that may interfere with the test.
Two Days Before The Procedure
It’s essential to drink plenty of fluids two days before the procedure. Drink 2 liters (about 8 to 10 glasses) of clear fluid: water, sports drinks, apple juice, beef or chicken broth. You need to start having smaller meals and stop consuming solid food.
One Day Before The Procedure
A day before the colonoscopy is an essential period when prepping for a colonoscopy. During this time, you will be on a liquid-only diet to allow your body to purge the remainder of the waste remaining inside of your colon.
Although you are expected to consume a lot of liquids, you shouldn’t consume any alcohol or milk products.
Day of the Colonoscopy
You can’t eat and drink on the day of the colonoscopy. You will need to bring someone to drive you back home after the procedure because you can’t drive for a day if you’ve been sedated. On the day of the procedure, your doctor or nurse will discuss certain things with you, and you will need to sign the consent form.
You will be asked to change into a hospital gown, and you may be administered sedation or painkillers. Then, the colonoscopy procedure begins. The procedure can take up to 30 to 45 minutes.
Foods to Avoid After the Colonoscopy Procedure
There are certain foods that you need to avoid after colonoscopy to promote recovery. These are especially foods that are hard to digest and anything that might irritate your bowels, such as spicy foods and those high in fiber. Heavy, greasy foods may also increase feelings of nausea after sedation post-procedure.
Foods to avoid after your colonoscopy include alcoholic beverages, steak or any tough, hard-to-digest meat, whole grain crackers or crackers with seeds, raw vegetables, legumes, brown rice, fruit with the skin on, dried fruit, such as raisins, coconut, spices, such as garlic, curry, and red pepper, highly seasoned foods, fried food, and nuts.
7 Things to Avoid Before a Colonoscopy
Things to Avoid Before a Colonoscopy
- Avoid drinking liquids that contain purple or blue coloring, as it can stain the colon and affect the colonoscopy results.
- Avoid drinking alcohol before a colonoscopy.
- Avoid raw vegetables and fresh fruits days before your colonoscopy. Stay away from high fiber diet when preparing for a colonoscopy
- Milk is one of the liquid foods to avoid before a colonoscopy.
- Don’t use nicotine in any form within 24 hours of your appointment.
- Don’t take iron supplements: It can darken your stool, making it difficult for the specialist to examine your colon.
- Avoid chewing gum or taking tobacco in the hours leading to your appointment.
Best Practices for Taking Care of Your Colon
- Consume a high-fiber diet and eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Drink enough water for your Colins and stay hydrated.
- Exercise your body frequently to promote consistent bowel movements.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
How To Make Your Colonoscopy Prep a Bit Easier
How To Make Your Colonoscopy Prep a Bit Easier
Find the proper prep for you. Prepping for Colonoscopy isn’t one size fits all. Once you know the foundation principles, you can customize the prep with the help of your doctor to make prepping easier for you.
Read your prep instructions thoroughly one week before your colonoscopy, write all you need to do down and get the necessary things, including food and laxatives.
5 Things to Make Colonoscopy Prep More Comfortable
- Carefully plan out your prep routine.
- Spice up your liquid diet creatively. Take see-through liquids that you enjoy.
- Mix your colonoscopy prep lemon-lime Gatorade or Crystal Light to add flavor and make sipping more enjoyable.
- Make your bathroom comfortable for the last step in the preparation process.
- Wear comfortable clothes.
FAQ
What is the prep schedule for a colonoscopy?
Preparing for your colonoscopy starts several days in advance. It includes changing your diet and using laxatives to clear out the content of your colon.
How long does it take to fully clear bowels for colonoscopy?
It takes about 12 to 18 hours to fully clear bowels for colonoscopy.
How painful is colonoscopy prep?
Colonoscopy prep can be painful, and most people often say it’s much more complicated than the procedure itself.
Will I poop all night with colonoscopy prep?
If you start the purge step on time, you won’t have to poop all night with colonoscopy prep.
Does it hurt to poop after a colonoscopy?
You may experience slight discomfort in your rectal area after colonoscopy, but pooping doesn’t hurt after the procedure.
How long is recovery after colonoscopy?
You recover from a colonoscopy within 24 hours.
Can I drink water 1 hour before the colonoscopy?
No, you can’t drink water for an hour before the colonoscopy.
What is the most effortless prep for a colonoscopy?
A sulfate-free and flavored formula, such as Nulytely or Trilyte (PEG), is the most effortless prep for a colonoscopy.
Dr. Islam Extended Colonoscopy Prep in Lubbock, TX
Colonoscopy prep is essential to achieve the maximum results from a colonoscopy. It isn’t easy, but it has to be done for the tremendous success of the colonoscopy. If you find it difficult to prep for a colonoscopy on your own, you can contact Dr. Sameer Islam for your colonoscopy prep.
Dr. Islam is an experienced gastroenterologist practicing in Lubbock, TX. He is a digestive health specialist and has received many awards for his many successes in his practice.
He has successfully performed many colonoscopies and helped many patients with colonoscopy prep.
He can help make your colonoscopy prep painless and as easy as possible.
Book an appointment with Dr. Islam today to get professional assistance and make your colonoscopy prep a success.
