I had eight days till my colonoscopy appointment. I’ve never had one before and have been reading the paperwork; I need to fast for 24 hours and take a laxative to flush the system.
I wondered if I should try to eat less in general during the next 8 days in order to avoid laxatives at the end of next week and to make fasting simpler.
Anyone have any thoughts on this, or general suggestions for a colonoscopy, as this is my first time? Thanks!
Ah, the dreaded colonoscopy preparation! It’s like preparing for a first date with your colon. But don’t worry, with a little humour and expert help, we’ll get you through it in no time.
First and foremost, let us discuss the importance of fasting prior to a colonoscopy. Your colon is like a lengthy, meandering tunnel that must be completely clear for the doctor to get a good look inside. And the only way to get that level of clarity is to let your digestive system to rest and clear out all the “debris,” if you know what I mean.
So, how long should you fast before the big day? So, the general rule of thumb is to start fasting at least 24 hours before your scheduled procedure. This means no solid foods, no dairy, and no anything that might leave a trace in your colon. You can, however, have clear liquids like water, tea, coffee (without milk or creamer), and even some sports drinks to keep you hydrated.
You MAY (check with your doctor, right?) have to stop taking aspirin, NSAIDs, and blood thinners at least five days in advance. Stop eating seeds, particularly tomatoes, three days ahead.
I had a procedure at 8 a.m. and could only drink clear fluids the day before. I couldn’t have water after 5 a.m.
You want to make sure the preparations are completely correct because it is a shame to go through the difficulty and discomfort if the doctor cannot see what he needs to see.
Good luck. No fun, but an important diagnostic and therapeutic process.
I can provide you with broad advise based on my experience with this operation.
It is customary to begin complete bowel evacuation (emptying) the day before your colonoscopy. This is accomplished through a variety of preparations supplied to you.
This ensures that when doctors implant the camera, you are practically free of any obstruction, allowing for clear images of your intestinal health.
After the clearance process begins, refrain from eating or drinking anything except water until the procedure is done.
After being transferred to a recovery room, you will be given some food and drink to keep you going until you are sent home.
Best wishes and good health.
Your colonoscopist will prescribe the bowel preparation and give you specific instructions, including fasting. Some bowel preps will make you feel bloated for a long period, while others will not. There are reasons to prefer one type over another in specific instances, and your colonoscopist is the person to consult about fasting.
I’ve met enough folks who claim to have vomited and inhaled some of the vomit during the procedure to believe that a longer fasting period following the completion of the bowel preparation fluids (say 8-12 hours) may be safer. However, it is critical to drink enough of water (ideally with electrolytes, such as Staminade) near the end of the bowel preparation.
When I had a colonoscopy ten years ago, I had to take a strong laxative the day before the surgery. I was then allowed to consume “low impact” meals (white bread with butter, tomato soup, etc.) until around lunchtime, following which I had a second dosage of laxative and fasted until after the procedure.
I’m not going to lie and say that a colonoscopy is enjoyable, but the preparation is, in my opinion, the worst part. You spend the most of the day shitting water, and you can’t eat a proper meal until someone shoves a tube up your bum.
Before a colonoscopy, you can and should drink plenty of water because the bowel preparation will cause you to lose a lot of fluid.
Before your colonoscopy, you will fast in phases. In the first step, you will avoid eating fiber-rich foods or foods with strong food colouring. You can still eat foods like white bread and potatoes. The second stage will include even more restrictions. Hunger will last around a day or less, depending on what the doctor allows you to eat.
It is a good idea to walk energetically before taking the bowel prep in order to clear out as much as possible beforehand.
It is “no solid foods” 24 hours prior to the surgery. Clear fluids (simple coffee, tea, strained juice, clear soup, gelatin, etc.) are allowed until 2 to 4 hours before the colonoscopy procedure, along with laxatives.
Recent clinical investigations suggest that a low residue diet (<10 g fiber/day) is just as effective as a clear liquid diet before a colonoscopy procedure.
Consult your gastroenterologist for specific instructions.
However, if you are going to receive IV pain medications and sedatives, you should fast for at least 5-6 hours. These medications cause nausea in many people, and you don’t want to puke up or feel ill throughout the procedure. If an anaesthesiologist is involved, you will be requested to fast for a minimum of six hours.
If you know for certain that you will not be given any oral or IV sedation/pain medications during the colonoscopy, the fasting duration may be reduced. But see your doctor first.
You can fast for longer than the required period, which is often 24 hours for solid foods (depending on your doctor’s orders). You should not stop drinking water. You are permitted to consume clear liquids such as soda, clear fruit juices, and clear broths that contain calories, as well as certain colours of jelly. Again, instructions may differ slightly from doctor to doctor. Do as yours says.
It is important to note that the colon prep solution can dehydrate you (as will any violent diarrhoea), so you should drink plenty of water.
The OP’s question regarding “safely fast” seems unclear. You only fast with water. In my case, it lasted 18 or 20 hours. However, the doctor authorised me to have one sip of orange-flavored drink (Fanta / Mirinda) six hours before the treatment. My difficulty wasn’t fasting, but rather not drinking morning coffee. Without coffee by 11 a.m., I would have a bad headache, which is what happened.
The day before the surgery, as soon as you awaken. No eating, only clear liquids, coffee without cream, and a tablet or liquid to cleanse your bowels. The earlier the better because if they see too much crap, they will cancel. On the day of the procedure, consume a little water. The treatment normally takes only 20 minutes.