Colonoscopy Bowel Prep Instructions
Suprep
Split-Dose
Your checklist
Find a driver.
You can't drive yourself home. If you don't have a driver, we will cancel your colonoscopy.
Ask about medication.
You may need to change or stop some medicines.
Ask your doctor about:
- Blood thinners
- Diabetes medicine
- Weight loss medicine
Get bowel prep medicine.
- Pick up your Suprep Bowel Kit from the pharmacy.
- Buy Gas-X (simethicone). You need 4 tablets.
Get clear liquids.
You will drink clear liquids the day before your colonoscopy.
- Water
- Clear broth
- Apple juice
- Coffee or tea (no milk)
Check your insurance.
We are not responsible for checking your coverage.
Call us to cancel.
You must call us if you need to cancel or reschedule. There is a $100 cancellation fee, unless you call more than 3 days before your colonoscopy.
Follow all instructions.
This document has your bowel prep instructions. If you have question call 555-555-5555.
Bowel prep instructions
3 days before your colonoscopy
No high-fiber foods today.
Eat food that moves quickly through your body.
OK to eat:
- Cooked fruits
- Cooked vegetables
- Tender meat
Do not eat:
- Raw fruits
- Raw vegetables
- Seeds and nuts
Medication changes.
Ask your doctor what to stop or change before colonoscopy.
You should stop:
- Fiber supplements
- Iron supplements
- Vitamin E
- Fish oil
- Antidiarrhea medicines
Ask your doctor about:
- Blood thinners
- Diabetes medicine
- Weight loss medicine
- Aspirin
2 days before your colonoscopy
No high-fiber foods today.
Medication changes.
Drink extra water.
Your body needs more water during bowel prep.
1 day before your colonoscopy
Do not eat any solid food.
You can only drink clear liquid.
Clear liquid diet.
OK to have:
- Water
- Clear broth
- Apple juice
- Coffee (no milk)
- Tea (no milk)
Do not have:
- Solid food
- Red or purple liquid
- Milk or cream
Medication changes.
Drink extra water.
Your body needs more water during bowel prep.
Start drinking your bowel prep at 6:00pm.
You can prepare this early in day and put it in the fridge if you want to drink cool liquid.
Pour 1 bottle of SUPREP into the mixing container.
Add cold water up to the 16-oz line on the cup.
Mix the liquid.
Drink all 16 ounces.
During the next hour, drink 2 more 16-ounce containers of plain water.
Stay near the toilet. The prep gives you diarrhea.
Day of your colonoscopy
Do not eat any solid food.
You can only drink clear liquid.
Clear liquid diet
Do not use any drugs.
Your colonoscopy may be cancelled.
Marijuana, tobacco, and other drugs can cause problems with bowel prep and anesthesia.
Drink the rest of your bowel prep 5 hours before your colonoscopy.
You will need to wake up early if your colonoscopy is in the morning.
Pour 1 bottle of SUPREP into the mixing container.
Add cold water up to the 16-oz line on the cup.
Mix the liquid.
Drink all 16 ounces.
During the next hour, drink 2 more 16-ounce containers of plain water.
Stay near the toilet. The prep gives you diarrhea.
Stop drinking all liquids.
You must not drink or eat 2 hours before your colonoscopy. If you do, we might cancel your colonoscopy.
- Do not drink anything.
- Do not eat anything.
- Do not chew gum.
What to bring...
You need to bring:
- Insurance cards
- List of medicines
- List of past surgeries
- Inhalers (if you have)
Do not bring or wear:
- Jewelry
- Piercings
- Valuables
- Underwire bra
Get here early.
Your check in time is 1 hour before your colonoscopy.
You need time to:
- Check in and fill out forms.
- Meet with a nurse.
- Talk with the GI doctor.
- Meet the anesthesiologist
Your colonoscopy will take about 30 minutes.
During this time:
- You will be sedated.
- The doctor looks in your colon with a scope.
- If the doctor finds polyps, they will be removed.
After your colonoscopy, you stay for 1 hour.
During this time:
- You need time to wake up.
- We give you water and a light snack.
- Your driver must pick you up. You can't go home alone.
About colonoscopy
We look inside your colon.
A test that looks inside your colon (large intestine).
The doctor uses a camera.
The camera is on the end of a long, thin, flexible tube. The tube goes inside you and sends video from inside your colon to a screen.
The doctor can:
- Remove polyps to prevent cancer.
- Look at problems in your colon.
- Find the cause of bleeding, pain, or diarrhea, or other problems.
Colon cancer can be found early.
A colonoscopy lets your doctor find cancer before it spreads.
If they find cancer early, it can be removed.
If colon cancer is not found early, it can spread to your liver and other parts of your body.
Common questions
I started the prep but haven't pooped yet. What should I do?
This can be normal. Some people poop in 30 minutes. Others take several hours. Keep following the prep as instructed. If you have not started to poop after several hours, call us at 555-555-5555.
How do I know if my bowel prep is working?
Your bowel prep is working when your poop becomes liquid and clear or yellow. Your poop will be similar to urine, with no solid material. If your poop is dark, brown, cloudy, or thick, this means the colon is not clean yet.
Can I stop taking the bowel prep as soon as my poop is liquidy and clear?
No. Finish all of the bowel prep exactly as instructed. The full prep is needed to clean the deeper parts of your colon. If your colon is not completely clean, the doctor might not see polyps and you might need to repeat the colonoscopy.
What should I do if my stool is still cloudy or solid after finishing the prep?
If your poop is cloudy, brown, or solid after you finished all the prep, call us at 555-555-5555
What should I do if I feel nauseous, have cramps, or vomit?
This can happen during bowel prep. Take a break for 30 minutes. Then, continue the prep at a slower pace. It can also help to walk around. It is important to continue the prep once symptoms improve. If you do not complete the prep, we might need to reschedule your colonoscopy.
Which medications should I stop before my colonoscopy?
Follow the specific instructions provided by your GI team or primary care doctor. You should not stop prescription medications without instructions from your doctor.
Why do I need someone to drive me home after my colonoscopy?
You will be sedated for your colonoscopy. It will make you drowsy and slow for the rest of the day. For safety, you cannot drive yourself or use public transportation alone. A responsible adult must take you home. If you do not have a driver, your colonoscopy will be rescheduled.
When will I get my results?
The doctor usually discusses initial findings with you in the recovery area after the procedure. If biopsies or polyps were taken, those results are not immediate. Written results are typically sent by mail or through your patient portal within 1-3 weeks. If there is anything urgent or concerning, the doctor will contact you directly.