How to Prepare for a Colonoscopy: 9 Expert Tips for the Night Before

A recent report from the American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 152,810 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and 53,010 will die from this ailment in 2024.

Fortunately, proper screening can greatly prevent colorectal cancer, with colonoscopy being the most effective gastroenterology tests and procedures for this condition. In addition to identifying any notable changes inside the rectum and large intestine, this procedure also determines abnormalities like colon polyps and removes them, just like a dermatologist would remove a suspicious mole from your skin.

Colonoscopy preparation is one of the significant steps for colorectal cancer screening, and it's not optional. You must clean out your colon so the doctor can see the inside clearly!

To make the preparation easier, the Gastroenterology Associates of Tidewater list expert tips on surviving prep night.

Here's them!

1. Stick to a Low-Fiber Diet a Few Days Before the Colonoscopy

Decreasing meal size and sticking to low-fiber foods a few days before starting colonoscopy preparation helps make the procedure easier and smoother. This will impact how ‘clean out’ your night goes.

What to Eat

• Lighter-colored foods
• Pasta
• Steamed vegetables
• Chicken
• Salmon
• Rice
• Eggs
• Smoothies
• Digestive tea
• Soups

What to Avoid

• Popcorn
• Fried, heavy foods
• Nuts and seeds
• Raw vegetables
• Peas, corn, fiber-filled foods, and apple skins
• Foods that are bright red

2. Stick to a Liquid Diet, Means No Solid Foods

Follow a liquid diet, free from solid foods, a day before a colonoscopy. While following a liquid diet, you can add the below treats to your prep. Avoid liquids with red, purple, and orange dyes as they may appear like blood traces during colonoscopy and can interfere with accurate results.

• Gatorade (not orange, purple, or red)
• Crystal light
• Gummy bears
• Sprite or 7-Up
• Flavored sparkling water
• JELL-O
• Organic low-sodium broth
• Apple juice

You may also consider drinking electrolyte drinks, like Pedialyte, as they offer rich hydration before the procedure.

3. Drink Laxative Cold for Colonoscopy Prep

There are various colonoscopy prep drinks available by prescription or over the counter. But they need you to consume a quite large volume, which can cause vomiting and nausea.

If you are struggling with drinking without throwing up, the GI doctors in Chesapeake, VA, recommend drinking the laxative cold for the most pleasant experience.

4. Double Check the Time While Using Your Prep Kit

Always verify the timing for stopping liquid intake with your doctor's office, regardless of what the colonoscopy prep product packaging or instructions may suggest. This is important as it can affect the effectiveness of the anesthesia during the procedure. If your doctor advises starting the colonoscopy prep in the evening, consider beginning a few hours earlier to avoid frequent trips to the bathroom throughout the night.

Keep in mind that the time it takes for the laxative to take effect varies from person to person. Therefore, it's essential to allow ample time for it to work. Your doctor's office will provide guidance on when to start taking the pills or the laxative drink.

Some preps are completed in one evening, while others may require a "split dose" to be taken between an evening and the following morning. If you're concerned about consuming the colonoscopy prep, the "split-dose" option is often more manageable.

5. Bathroom Preparation for Bowel

Here's a list of items you need for bathroom preparation

• Wet Wipes: Consider using good quality wipes from reliable brands.
• Soft and Strong Solid Paper: Double-ply, soft toilet paper is essential during your colonoscopy prep. Look for gentle toilet paper with aloe to alleviate itching and burning, especially if you don’t use moist wipes.
• Creams and oils: Consider using Vaseline®, coconut oil, or Boudreaux's Butt Paste® to prevent or soothe irritation. Ensure that the skin is completely dry before applying oils to avoid trapping moisture, which could worsen irritation. If irritation persists, a cool, wet washcloth or a bath may also help.
• Chargers and light reading: Remember to charge your phone and have a good book or reading material ready, as you may be spending a lot of time in the bathroom.
• Stretchy pants: Elastic-waisted pants will be more comfortable once the laxative starts working, as you won’t have time to deal with buttons.

6. Split the Prep

Drinking half the liquid the night before your colonoscopy and half the morning of the test leads to a cleaner and more detailed exam and higher patient satisfaction. You can set your alarm for 4 a.m. so that the second half is finished four hours before the colonoscopy starts.

7. Complete All the Steps

Even if your stools are running clear, it's important to complete all the steps of colonoscopy preparation. Sometimes, the laxative doesn't work right away, especially on the first few trips. Many bowel preparation kits include various drinks or pills to take. Make sure to take all of them for a complete cleanout and effective results.

8. Drink Water - A Lot of It

Preparing your bowel involves drinking a large volume of liquid. It works by pulling water into the bowel, so it is dehydrating. You will feel better if you drink more water in addition to the bowel preparation.

9. Ease Back Into Consuming Solids After Confirming Your Next Screening

You might get starved after the procedure, as you are eating small portions or only liquid for a few days. But your gut requires time to adjust back and feel normal again. Avoid rushing into a heavy, greasy meal.

Start with slow parts and gradually get back to your normal diet. Avoid spicy, greasy foods for a few days if a polyp is removed.

Before leaving, confirm when your next screening is. Current guidelines say that if you have a normal, high-quality colonoscopy and don't have a family history of colon cancer, you can wait up to 10 years before the next screening.