Bowel Preparation

Good Prep means a Good Colonoscopy

Poor Prep

A poor prep makes it difficult to see polyps and pre-cancerous lesions. You can see an entire wall of the colon is obscured by thick liquid stool filled with vegetable matter and corn, making a good colonoscopy impossible--thick stool like this can't be cleaned through the colonoscope!

Good Prep

A good prep allows for excellent visualization of the clean colon walls, allowing us to see every polyp that could be inside the colon. Following the bowel prep instructions helps us give you the best exam possible!

Bowel Prep Instructions

PURCHASE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS FROM YOUR PHARMACY: These are sold over the counter; you will NOT need a prescription!•FOUR (4) DULCOLAX LAXATIVE TABLETS (5MG)

•ONE (1) 238 GRAM BOTTLE OF MIRALAX POWDER

•ONE (1) 64 OUNCE BOTTLE OF GATORADE (G2 Gatorade for diabetics) NO RED/PURPLE

** 3 days prior: do not consume corn or nuts until after the procedure* *

Starting the DAY BEFORE:

WHEN YOU WAKE UP YOU ARE TO BE ON A CLEAR LIQUID DIET ALL DAY UNTIL AFTER THE PROCEDURE (do’s/do not’s below)

For your bowel prep – Start at 12:00 PM (NOON)Take the 4 Dulcolax tablets. (Please keep in mind that the cleansing process will take 4 to 8 hours or longer, so plan your schedule accordingly)

AT 2:00 PM Mix the 238-gram bottle of Miralax in the 64 ounces of Gatorade (G2 GATORADE IF DIABETIC) SHAKE UNTIL THE MIRALAX IS COMPLETELY DISSOLVED. Drink 8 ounces of the mixture every 15-30 minutes until the entire solution is gone. (If you become nauseated from the Miralax, stop and restart in an hour and continue this as needed)

AFTER MIDNIGHT: NOTHING MORE TO EAT OR DRINK!!!It is very important that the stools be clear, or else the provider will not be able to see the walls of your colon, where abnormalities may be hidden.

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Instructions for 12 oz bottle miralax dilution

DO:

•Drink water (plain, non-carbonated)

•Tea or coffee (without milk or cream)

•Strained fruit juices without pulp (apple, lemonade)

•Fruit-flavored beverages (fruit punch)

•Ice popsicles (without any milk, bits of fruit, seeds, or nuts, & NO RED OR PURPLE)

•Clear, fat-free broth

•Plain Jell-O (NO added fruit or toppings)

DO NOT:

•Eat solid foods

•Drink anything red or purple (these liquids can look like blood in the colon)

•Use artificial creamers

•Drink fruit or vegetable smoothies

•Drink alcohol

•Dairy products (regular milk, almond milk, all cheese, cream, powdered or liquid coffee creamer, yogurt, cottage cheese, butter), “artificial” dairy products (soy milk and “lactose- free” products)

•Eat anything Red or Purple

•Do not drink things with pulp (orange juice)

12 oz bottle dilution

If you are using 12 oz bottles of gatorade, you will need six total 12 oz bottles. Add two capfuls (34g) of Miralax to each bottle, and consume each bottle over approximately 45min to one hour.