Although considered the least pleasant part of a colon exam, the prep is one of the most important. A good preparation of the colon is required for the endoscopist to adequately visualize the bowel surface for polyps, tumors, abnormal vessels and other abnormalities.  A poorly prepped colon increases the likelihood that abnormalities could be missed or that the exam may not be completed.  Please see below for recommendations for preps and suggestions if you have problems with your prep.

Prep instructions:  These preps are meant to be started the day before your exam, unless otherwise instructed.  Different preps are recommended for different situations.  Your physician has chosen a prep that should work best for your needs.  All of our preps are listed below.

*Remember that you will need someone to drive you home from your exam if you have received sedation medications.

Clear Liquids:

Bullion broth, Jell-O, Tea, Apple juice, Coffee, Orange juice without pulp, Clear sodas, Popsicles, Grape juice, Cranberry juice

NuLYTELY/TriLytely/Half Lytely Preps

Please advise us if you are taking aspirin, NSAIDs or blood thinning medications.  These usually will need to be discontinued prior to your procedure.  Also, please be sure to let your physician or nurses know if you are on medications for Diabetes, prior to your exam.  These may need to be held or adjusted.

Note: the Half Lytely prep consists of the same solution, but is only half the volume.

The NuLYTELY should not be mixed sooner than 48 hours before the procedure.

Stay on a clear liquid diet the day before your colonoscopy, including breakfast.

Beginning at 3 PM the day before the procedure, don’t eat or drink anything other than the NuLYTELY.

Drink 8 oz glass of NuLYTELY every 15 to 20 minutes, until all of the prep has been consumed.

You may have a clear liquid supper once you have finished the prep.

DO NOT EAT OR DRIINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT.           

Medications may be taken with a small sip of water the morning of your exam (at 6 am).

Note: Sometimes patients will experience some nausea with the preps. This can be treated usually by slowing the process some. Instead of drinking a glass of the prep solution every 15 minutes- give yourself about half an hour to let your stomach settle. Then begin drinking the prep once more, but at a slower rate- perhaps a glass every 30 minutes. If you continue to have problems, or if you begin vomiting despite slowing the process- you should switch to an alternative prep.  If this is necessary- I generally would advise obtaining two bottles of magnesium citrate (over-the-counter) and drink one bottle the evening before the procedure, and the next early in the morning the day of the procedure (5 to 6 am).  Please inform your endoscopist/physician or nurse of the problems you had with the prep when you arrive.