Procedure Preparations
Please read the information below for important instructions regarding your procedure.
- ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)
- Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Upper Endoscopy
- Capsule Endoscopy
ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)
It is necessary to have a completely empty stomach. You should fast for at least six hours (and preferably overnight) before the procedure.
An allergy to iodine-containing drugs should be discussed with your physician prior to the procedure. The physician should also be informed of any medications that you take regularly, any heart or lung conditions (or any other major diseases), and whether you have any drug allergies.
Someone must accompany you home from the procedure because of the sedation used during the examination. Even if you feel alert after the procedure, your judgment and reflexes may be impaired by the sedation for the rest of the day, making it unsafe for you to drive or operate any machinery. If a complication occurs, you may need to be hospitalized until it resolves.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
The rectum and lower colon must be completely empty of waste material for the procedure to be accurate and complete. Your physician will give you detailed instructions regarding the cleansing routine to be used.
In general, preparation consists of one or two enemas prior to the procedure but may include laxatives or dietary modifications. If, for example, you have a special condition such as acute diarrhea or colitis, your physician may advise you to forgo any special preparation before the examination.
Colonoscopy
The colon must be completely clean for the procedure to be accurate and complete. Your physician will give you detailed instructions regarding the dietary restrictions to be followed and the cleansing routine to be used.
In general, preparation consists of either consumption of a large volume of a special cleansing solution or several days of clear liquids, laxatives, and enemas prior to the examination. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. If you do not, the procedure may have to be canceled and repeated later.
Each physician has different preparation instructions depending on the age of the patient and their health history:
- Call your physician if you have any problems with your prep. If you are not adequately prepped we will not be able to do the procedure. The returns on the prep should be perfectly clear or clear yellow. Often there is a yellow bile in your colon that colors the clear fluid.
- Call your physician if you have any history of constipation. If you are constipated you may need to take some additional prep.
- Call your physician if you are taking any type of blood thinners. He may have you hold them for several days prior to the procedure. Also let the scheduling physician know if you are taking insulin or an iron medication. Your regular dose of insulin may need to be changed due to the prepping process. Iron medications are often held for several days prior to the procedure.
- Drink plenty of fluids throughout the prep period to hydrate yourself. If you wake up during the night you may have some fluids at that time. Patients tend to get a little dehydrated from the prep so you need to take in the extra fluids. We do need you to take nothing by mouth for several hours prior to the procedure but you may drink as much as you can during the actual prep.
- If you feel a sense of fullness during the prep, walk around as it increases the bowel motility and will help to relieve that feeling of fullness.
- You may chew gum or suck on hard candy to cut the salty aftertaste of the liquid preps.
Upper Endoscopy
For the best (and safest) examination, the stomach must be completely empty. You should have nothing to eat or drink, including water, for approximately six hours before the examination. Your doctor will be more specific about the time to begin fasting.
Inform your doctor several days prior to the examination of your current medications and any allergies. You should alert your doctor if you require antibiotics prior to undergoing dental procedures, since you may need antibiotics prior to upper endoscopy as well.
Capsule Endoscopy
An empty stomach allows for the best and safest examination, so you should have nothing to eat or drink, including water, for approximately 12 hours before the examination. Your doctor will tell you when to start fasting. Tell your doctor in advance about any medications you take, including iron, aspirin, Pepto Bismol, and other over-the-counter medications. You may need to adjust your usual dose for the examination.
Discuss any allergies to medications as well as medical conditions such as heart or lung disease. Tell your doctor of the presence of a pacemaker, previous abdominal surgery, or a previous history of obstructions in the bowel, inflammatory bowel disease, or adhesions.
