Colonscopy prep tips****UPDATE****

Another vote for the pills. They're huge horse pills, but so much easier to get down than the prep. You will take 28-32 pills, but you don't taste anything but the water you use to swallow them. Some doctors won't prescribe them, but I would check w/yours.

Good luck and get ready for the best nap of your life. The procedure is super comfy. You'll be napping and in less than 15 minutes you'll be awake and feeling really calm.

One thing that hasn’t been mentioned yet - for that last day of only clear liquids, you might want something NOT sweet, like broth to drink. I know that I tend to get tired of the sweet things like Gatorade or apple juice or whatever you’re mixing your prep with.

Because like the colonoscopy pre-prep diet it’s easier to pass low fiber foods until things heal up.

I had asked my doctor about this, but he said that the pills don't always work as well, then people have to do it again. Clearly they work for some - but throwing this out there.  I would not want to have to do it twice!

Mine is coming up on October 25th. I've had one before so I know what to expect but still not looking forward to it. My mom had very early stage colon cancer and my great grandfather died of it so I keep up to date on it. I was clean as a whistle in my first one and I hope I still am! Good for you for getting it done!! Glad it all went well!!

To help with the chafing, apply A&D or Balmex before you start eliminating. Having the barrier in place before you even start, along with frequent reapplication, will go a long way toward relief.

To reduce the amount of wiping needed, I recommend a bidet bottle or peri bottle. Cynpel Peri Bottle for Postpartum Essentials, Feminine Care | The Original Portable Bidet (Pack of 1), Blue a.co/d/7J44YYs

These work great to gently rinse away the residue after elimination, especially since it will be petty much liquid. After rinsing, take as much time as you can to air dry, and you will only need “light pats” to finish drying.

When my mom had her last two colonoscopy’s, she drank clear protein drinks once she had to go all clear. She found Premier Protein clear that wasn’t red, but I couldn’t find it in my area when I had to go for mine. She showed it to her doctor at her last appointment before the procedure, and he approved it. I’m due for one this year, and I’m going to share this one with my doctor to see if it will work. I’ve tried the lemonade before and it tastes pretty good. Mom found that the protein drinks helped her avoid feeling so weak and hungry that last day before she had to go to water only. https://us.

us.myprotein.com/sports-nutrition/clear-whey-isolate/12095867.html

Ate right after. Stool a bit soft, but able to control, nothing like during the prep and by the evening/next day back to normal.

I was pretty worn out after mine. I ate and then napped and watched movies the rest of the day.

I felt fine, but agree with the effects of the anesthesia can vary from person to person. It's never bothered me (until my knee surgery) but I know several people who react strongly to it. Once I ate I felt normal and like I'd had a good nap.

Yikes! Ive never had to go beyond half the jug. (Maybe 1 8oz glass over half).

I was starving absolutely starving. So I grabbed a very light meal. I think it was crackers and maybe some soup and then I slept all afternoon.

I wonder if this has been updated. My husband's dr. said that is is quite easy that they just cauterize the blood flow to the hemorrhoid.  He just had his colonoscopy last week.

I think all polyps are sent to the lab, at least all of mine and anyone I know have been. 

I’m wondering if it’s to discuss the possible genetic issue. Since you were under anesthesia he may want to meet with you personally. My father died from primary colon and stomach cancers, which puts all of his offspring at risk. I started my colonoscopies early and have them frequently. Also, it puts us at higher risk for a few other cancers so we need to be screened for them. I know it seems scary but I am so happy to have the knowledge, because a colonoscopy is actually a way to help prevent this specific cancer so it makes me feel like I’m in the driver’s seat. Take things out before they turn cancerous. 

And, not to scare you, it could also have been pre-cancerous, I’ve recently found out most if not all of mine (23 with 3 colonoscopies) have been. I misunderstood the terms originally. If that’s the case, the important part is that it was removed. And that you do follow-up exactly as the doctor recommends, including eating as recommended (high fiber, low red meat) and make sure you get your next colonoscopy right when he wants you to. My understanding is that colon cancer is generally slow growing, so by getting regular procedures you take out the polyps before they become a bigger issue.