Colonoscopy

The following information aims to assist you in preparing you for your colonoscopy procedure, provides helpful hints as you are taking your bowel preparation, briefly provides what to expect when you go home and when to seek medical help.

For a successful colonoscopy it is important the bowel is completely empty. An empty bowel means the doctor is more likely to see the lining of the bowel and detect any problems. Poor preparation may mean the procedure will need to be repeated on another day.

Carer

It is important to arrange to have a ‘Carer’ to care for you when you leave hospital. Every patient who has a procedure performed under sedation or general anaesthetic and is leaving hospital within the same day as their procedure needs to be handed over to a carer (over 18 years of age). This person will be responsible for your wellbeing and recovery for up to 12 or 24 hours depending on the type of anaesthesia received. 

Work arrangements

It is important that you re-arrange your normal activities and take time off for:

• the preparation of the procedure
• the day of the procedure
• the day after your procedure (if instructed).

A medical certificate will be provided on discharge for yourself and the person responsible for picking you up from hospital and caring for you at home

Medications and your procedure

Some medications must be stopped prior to your procedure. These instructions will be given by your doctor and listed on your bowel preparation instructions. Ensure you check and follow these instructions.

Being prepared

You will need to start a low fibre diet some days before your procedure. See the bowel preparation instructions that you have been given.

This reduces the fibre in your bowel, which makes it easier when you start the 2-day bowel cleansing regime. Refer to the diet plan for items you can and cannot eat.

Some additional items you may wish to have are:

• protective cream, e.g. Lanoline or Vaseline (to apply around your anal area to reduce irritation)
• Moist toilet wipes (may also soothe the area after using toilet paper).

Diet preparation and bowel preparation

It is important to follow the diet and bowel preparation instructions that have been provided to you. 

For a successful colonoscopy it is very important that the bowel is cleaned well. This will enable the doctor to clearly see the lining of the bowel.

Is your bowel clean?

Poor preparation may mean that the procedure will be stopped and you will have to repeat the preparations and procedure another day.

Helpful hints and tips

• If you become ill or have severe pain seek medical advice from your general practitioner or nearest emergency medical centre.
• Hydration is essential for effective colonoscopy prep
• Drink the solution through a straw
• Add diet lemon cordial to the preparation mixture
• Keep warm
• Some people find that drinking the solution very quickly and then using a “chaser” such as apple juice helps the prep go down easier
• If you feel nauseated while taking the preparation, stop for half and hour.  Have a hot drink and walk around.  Resume drinking the solution more slowly.
• If you have haemorrhoids (piles) use your haemorrhoid cream to  reduce discomfort
• Stay near a bathroom
• If you feel bloated, try walking around. Suck some peppermints or drink peppermint tea.

Failure to have a bowel motion 

People vary in the time it takes to have a bowel motion after commencing the bowel preparation. To help relieve any concerns about your progress the following information will help guide you.

Day before your procedure:

If you have not had a bowel motion and you are not experiencing pain or vomiting,continue drinking.

Day of your procedure:

If you are scheduled to arrive at hospital before 7.30 am and you have not had a bowel motion or your bowel motions are not clear, go to the hospital as planned and at the admission desk ask to speak with a nurse as soon as possible regarding concerns about your bowel preparation.

If you are scheduled to arrive at hospital after 7.30 am and you have not had a bowel motion or your bowel motions are not clear, please phone 07 3163 1630 and speak to the endoscopy unit nurse who will provide you with further instructions.

Severe pain and vomiting

If you have severe pain or vomiting, or you are unwell and concerned about your health, it is wise to attend your nearest emergency department or phone an ambulance on 000 in order to be assessed by medical staff.

On the day of your Colonoscopy

It is suggested for your own safety and comfort, that before and after you procedure you:

• Wear loose comfortable clothing.
• You MUST NOT drive yourself home.
• You MUST have an escort home by a friend or relative.
• You MUST have someone with you for the remainder of the day as well as overnight.
• Please bring a plastic bag to store your clothing during your hospital stay.
• Please bring your Medicare, Pension or Healthcare cards if you have them.
• On receiving your colonoscopy appointment date, use a calendar to mark the days before the procedure to start your low fibre diet and bowel preparation.
• Gentle movement such as walking around the house will assist in the prep working well.

Please do not wear:

• Makeup or nail polish
• Jewellery
• Perfumes

Please do not bring valuables or large sums of money with you. The hospital cannot accept responsibility for these items.

Smoking: please STOP smoking at least 24 hours before your procedure

Alcohol: DO NOT drink any alcohol (including beer) for 24hrs prior to your procedure.

Drugs and medicines:

• Please follow any medication plan instructed by the Doctor or Nurse during your consultation.
• It is important to advise the department of any medication changes

X-rays and Scans: Please bring all private x-rays and scans associated with your current visit and ensure that you take them home with you when you are discharged.

Planning for going home after the procedure

Before you go home, a nurse will speak with you and your carer about what to expect. You will be given a copy of your procedure report and discharge instructions. A copy of this report will be sent to your GP. Your procedure and results are to be discussed at a follow up appointment with your GP (allow seven days for pathology reports to be available). You may receive a phone call or if you are required to attend the hospital outpatient department for follow up, an appointment letter will be sent to you.

Important information for after your procedure

After you leave the hospital, if you have any non-urgent concerns please speak with your GP or contact the procedure department directly. If you or your carer notice any of the following please present to your nearest Emergency Department or phone an ambulance on triple zero:

• persistent bleeding from bowels or black tarry bowel motions
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• rapid heart beat, dizziness
• increasing drowsiness, including difficulty rousing from sleep
• increasing persistent pain unrelieved by medication
• inability to keep fluids down
• high fever
• have any other concerns where you feel you need medical assistance.

Clear fluids

The low fibre diet

Please plan your meals from the foods to choose lists below.  If you do not see foods you eat in the “YES” column please do not eat it.

Mater acknowledges consumer consultation in the development of this patient information.

Mater Doc Num: PI-CLN-420057

Last modified 19/2/2021.
Consumers were consulted in the development of this patient information.
Last consumer engagement date: 01/9/2020

For further translated health information, you can visit healthtranslations.vic.gov.au/ supported by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services that offers a range of patient information in multiple languages.