Q. What time should I start my prep?
A.You will need to be on a clear liquid diet the entire day before
your procedure; however, you won’t need to start your prep until sometime
between 12:00 noon and 6:00 PM in the day.You will need to use the
bathroom frequently once you start the prep, so you might want to be at
home before starting.
Q. Is there anyway I can make this taste better?
A. You can try sucking on hard candy, or you can rinse your mouth with
water, mouthwash or any other beverage listed on the Clear Liquid Diet.
Q. Why should I avoid red liquids?
A. The red color can stay in the colon and potentially look like
blood.
Q. One of the medications I was instructed to take the
morning of my procedure is red, is it OK to take it?
A. Yes. Medications for blood pressure, heart medications and seizures
should be taken the morning of your procedure regardless of their color.
Q. I feel like vomiting and don’t think I can drink any more.What
should I do?
A. Without a clean bowel, the doctor will not be able to see the
inside of your colon to complete the examination. Walking and
other activities usually decrease nausea. Some patients prefer to remove
the prep from the refrigerator a half-hour before they are scheduled to
start drinking it. If you do vomit or feel nauseated, wait 45
minutes and begin drinking the solution again. If not improved,
please call us.
Q. I drank most of the solution but have not gone to the bathroom
yet.What should I do?
A. Most people have a bowel movement after an hour some patients take
2 hours or longer. If you feel bloated or nauseated, wait 30-45 minutes and
resume drinking the solution. If you still have not had a bowel
movement after drinking all of the solution, please call us for further
instructions.
Q. Is the Prep the only liquid I need to drink prior to the
procedure?
A. No, please drink an additional 4 to 8 glasses of liquids so you do
not become dehydrated. The colon prep liquid is to clean out the
colon; not to replace fluid loss.
Q. I am taking the prep and now have loose, watery stools. Do I
still need to take the rest of the prep?
A. Yes, you may have solid stool higher in the colon that needs to be
eliminated as well.
Q. I already have diarrhea before taking the prep, do I still have
to take the laxative?
A. Yes, you must take the prep as directed by your doctor. Your
colon is approximately 6 feet long, and your entire colon must be emptied
for your physician to see it clearly.
Q. I see yellow color in the toilet bowl and a few flecks.What do I
do?
A. If you drank the entire solution or if your last bowel movement was
clear enough to see the bottom of the toilet, you should be fine.
It is OK if you have some flecks of material. The yellow color is
the result of bile that normally colors the feces.This shouldn’t
interfere with the examination.
Q. My bottom is very sore. What can I do?
A. To clean the area, avoid rubbing, but gently pat with a wet
washcloth. Apply Vaseline ™, Prepartion H ™, or Desitin liberally.
Q. Is it OK to drink alcoholic beverages?
A. We strongly suggest you do not drink any alcoholic beverages prior
to your procedure since they can cause dehydration, and some wines may
thin your blood.
Q. Can I drink any nutritional supplements?
A. You may have any supplement as long as it does not contain milk or
diary.
Q. Can I chew gum or suck candy?
A. Yes, but no hard candy with soft centers or anything with red
colors.
Q. Can I brush my teeth?
A. Yes.
Q. Can I wear my dentures?
A. Yes, you may wear your dentures to the Endoscopy suite. However,
you may be asked to remove them prior to the procedure.
Q. I have been instructed not to take anti-inflammatory or blood
thinner medications several days before the procedure. What can I
take for headaches and pain relief?
A. You may take Tylenol as directed.
Q. Can I have chicken soup?
A. You may have the broth, but no chicken, noodles or vegetables are
allowed.
Q. What is the difference between a colonoscopy and a
sigmoidoscopy? A. A sigmoidoscopy views the lower third of
your colon, up to 60 centimeters, and is usually performed in the office
without sedation. A colonoscopy views the entire large intestine (colon).
A colonoscopy is performed with sedation and requires monitoring of your
breathing and blood pressure. You will need to take a laxative prep for
either procedure.
Q. Can I schedule a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy without a
physician referral?
A. Only if you are over 50 and are due for a screening
colonoscopy.When you call to schedule this appointment, you will be asked
to come into our office for a brief, no-charge pre-procedure visit where
a nurse will review your medical history and medications, and explain the
prep.If, however, you are having digestive issues, you will need to see a
Physician or Physician Assistant for a consultative appointment.
The Physician will then recommend the appropriate procedure to help
diagnose your problem.
Q. How long will my procedure take?
A. Patients should allow 1 to 2 hours from the time they arrive until
they leave the facility. Each patient responds differently to the
medications and this means that some patients may take slightly longer to
recover.
Q. How long will I have to wait for the results of my procedure?
A. The doctor will generally speak with you or a family member or
provide you with written preliminary results before you go home. If
biopsies were taken or polyps removed, it will take 5 to 7 days to
receive the results from the lab. Once the office has received the
results and they have been reviewed, the doctor will send information to
your referring doctor and send you a letter with the results, along with
any recommendations for follow up. If you do not receive results or
hear from us with 2 weeks after your procedure please contact us.
Q. Will the procedure hurt?
A. Patients having an Endoscopy procedure receive I.V. sedation
(usually Fentanyl and Versed). The medication takes effect quickly
promoting relaxation, drowsiness and forgetfulness. You may feel bloating
when air is injected to improve visibility, cramps when the colonoscope
is rounding a turn, and/or a hand pressing your abdomen to straighten the
colonoscope. While you may experience some discomfort, our goal is to
keep you as comfortable as possible. Many patients have no recollection
of their procedure afterward because of the effects of the IV Sedation
you are given.
Q. Is it necessary that I have a driver for a sedated procedure?
A. Yes. It is essential that you have an adult driver (18 or older)
that remains with you during the procedure. You will be sedated and
should not operate any machinery including an automobile. The effects of
the sedation will affect your memory for a short time; therefore, the
physician will speak with your driver about the results of your procedure
and to explain any necessary follow-up. We will not perform your
procedure if you arrive without an adult driver. You do not need a driver
if you are scheduled for a sigmoidoscopy.
Q. Is it OK to have the colonoscopy during my menstrual cycle?
A. Yes, the procedure can still be performed. You may use a Tampon
during the procedure.
Q. How can I find out when I am due for a follow-up procedure?
A. You will receive a reminder notice from our office 1-2 months prior
to the time you should have your screening procedure. The notice will ask
you to call our office to schedule the needed procedure. If you do not
receive a notice when you feel you should or have any questions, it is
always best to call the office and ask to speak to a Procedure Scheduler.
Q. What are your office hours and phone number?
A. Our office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Our phone number is (336) 768-6211. For billing information, please call
(336) 765-4090 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Please feel
free to use voice mail as a means of communicating with our scheduling
and clinical staff, as they are frequently away from their desk or
assisting patients on other calls. Please leave a complete message that
includes your name and phone number so we can access your medical record
and be prepared to respond to your questions when your call is returned.
Q. Do I need a referral to be seen?
A. If you are a patient insured through a managed care plan (HMO, PPO,
Point of Service), you will generally need a referral. Please check with
your primary care doctor before scheduling the appointment. If you are
insured with a plan that does not require a referral and have a
gastrointestinal disorder, you do not need to have a referral from your
primary care doctor. Please contact our billing office (336-765-4090) if
you have any questions about your particular insurance carrier.
Q. Who should I ask for when calling the office?
A. There are over 50 staff members in our office, so it is helpful if
you know which department you need to speak with. The following are some
guidelines that will assist us in processing your call promptly:
- Ask for Scheduling
- to make or cancel an appointment, questions about the time or
location of your appointment.
- Ask for the
Billing department for questions about your billing statement or
referral.
- Ask for Medical
Records for copies or records requests.Please call 5 days in
advance if you are picking up records. If leaving a voice
mail, please spell name and leave date of birth and phone number.
- Ask for the Triage
Nurse - if you have questions about test results, procedure
preparation, or other clinical issues.
Before the Procedure Prep Related Questions