You must be accompanied by an adult family member/friend over 18 who can take responsibility for you and sign your discharge papers. If this person is not present with you at the time of your colonoscopy, your procedure will be canceled. You will not be able to drive, operate heavy machinery or return to work for the remainder of the day following your procedure.
If you have any questions, contact The Corvallis Clinic Gastroenterology department at 541-754-1988 during normal business hours (M-F 8 am-5 pm). Outside of normal business hours, call 541-754-1150 for the on-call physician.
You must take simethicone (Gas-X) 125mg tablets four times daily for three days before the procedure.
5 Days Before Your Colonoscopy
STOP:
- Iron, fish oil, and vitamin E
- NSAIDS, including Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil), Naproxen (Aleve), and similar medications
- All seeds, nuts, popcorn, beans, raw vegetables and fruits, and poorly digestible vegetables (corn, broccoli, spinach)
- Aspirin 81 mg (baby Aspirin)
- Any regular medications (especially blood pressure and/or heart medications)
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Foods such as meat, tofu, white bread, white rice, pasta, yogurt, eggs, pancakes, cheese, and dairy
Two Days Before Your Colonoscopy
- Solid foods
- Creamer/milk
- Red, orange, or purple-colored drinks
- Clear liquid diet, liquids you can see through (e.g., water, apple juice, 7-up, sports drinks, smart waters, light-colored popsicles, white grape juice, no pulp lemon juice, coffee, and tea)
- Light-colored Jell-O, clear soups/broths
The Day Before Your Procedure
- Fill the laxative jar to the gallon (or 4 liters) mark. You can add a light-colored Crystal Light to help with the taste.
- Drink 2 liters, half the container of the laxative, within 2 hours. Drink only light-colored clear liquids, protein, and electrolytes throughout the evening.
The Day of Your Colonoscopy
- Drink the remaining 2 liters of the laxative solution within 2 hours.
- If you live more than 30 minutes away, start 6 hours before arrival to avoid residual laxative effects during travel.
- Take 125 mg of simethicone (1 GAS-X tablet) after you finish drinking the last of the solution.
- You may take your approved home medication(s) with a small sip of water.
- You’ll typically experience bowel movements or diarrhea 1-4 hours after bowel preparation. If you haven’t had a bowel movement in this time, continue the bowel preparation as instructed, drink more water, and walk around. Stay close to a restroom.
- Your stool should be clear fluid (may be yellow or green, but with no solid parts) after completing bowel preparation. Even if you see clear stool early on, complete all doses of bowel preparation. If your stool isn’t clear after preparation, keep drinking water up to 3 hours before your appointment.
- You may feel nauseous or experience mild stomach cramping. It can be helpful to drink more slowly, take a break, drink through a straw, or refrigerate the solution. Severe vomiting and severe abdominal pain are not normal. Please contact us if you experience severe symptoms.
- You may experience itching or irritation around the anus due to frequent stools. You may find it useful to purchase over-the-counter Desitin, Anusol, Tucks pads, or Vaseline.
- You should complete the bowel preparation 3 hours prior to your scheduled arrival time. You are unlikely to have an accident on the way if you do not live more than 1 hour away. However, some patients feel more comfortable wearing a protective undergarment to and from the procedure.
Colonoscopy Procedure Overview
A colonoscopy is an examination of the large intestine using a flexible tube with a camera. You’ll receive “twilight sedation” through an IV to make you drowsy but still in control of breathing. The procedure typically lasts under 45 minutes, but plan to spend several hours for preparation and monitoring. Your doctor will discuss findings afterward, including any biopsies or polyp removals. If needed, lab results of polyps or biopsies usually arrive within 2 weeks. Complications such as bleeding, infection, or perforation are rare but possible. Your team will provide post-procedure care instructions. For concerns, call 541-754-1988 (M-F 8 am-5 pm) or 541-754-1150 after hours.
For severe symptoms, go to the emergency room.
Colonoscopy Preparation
To ensure clear visibility during your colonoscopy, it’s crucial to completely empty your colon with the prescribed bowel preparation. Failure to do so may result in cancellation or the need for a repeat procedure within weeks. Our recommended preparation method is both safe and effective. If you’ve had issues with this laxative in the past, notify us promptly so we can explore alternative options.
