Live-saving Screenings

Colonoscopy is one of the most effective test methods used in the early detection of colorectal cancer. Your doctor will recommend screening for colorectal cancer starting at age 45 if you don’t have health problems or risk factors that make you more likely to develop colorectal cancer. Most people survive colon cancer if it is caught early, but only five percent of people survive colon cancer if it is caught late.

During the colonoscopy, you will be asked to lie on an exam table. You will be given medications to help you feel relaxed. Your doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera on the end into your rectum to examine your colon for abnormalities and disease. A colonoscopy can show irritated and swollen tissue, ulcers, polyps, and cancer.

There are many steps in preparing for your exam so that you have a clean colon. This guide will help you get ready.

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Endoscopy Main Line:
(409) 772-4798After hours: (409) 772-2222

Preparing for your colonoscopy 

Preparing for your colonoscopy is a process. Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • You will need to restrict your diet and take your bowel prep medicine to clean out your colon.
  • You may also need to change your medication routine if you take medicines like aspirin, Plavix®, clopidogrel, anti-inflammatory medicines, blood thinners, diabetes medicine or fish oil. See the full medication hold list and the colonoscopy prep instructions.

Why is it important to follow your prep medicine instructions?

Your doctor must be able to see inside your colon in order to do the test. If your colon is dirty on the inside, your doctor may not be able to see important things, like polyps or cancer. If your doctor cannot see, you may have to do the test again.

Think of your colon this way:

  • When it is clean, it’s like a nice day where you can see for miles.
  • When it is dirty, it’s like a foggy day. It’s hard to see and hard to drive.

You will have lots of diarrhea from the bowel prep. This will start anywhere from a few minutes to three hours after you start your prep. So plan to be home, and plan to be near a toilet.

Most people have bloating and abdominal discomfort. This is normal. Many people have nausea. Do not be alarmed if you feel these symptoms. If you have nausea and vomiting, please call endoscopy to let your GI doctor know:

Endoscopy Main Line:
(409) 772-4798After hours: (409) 772-2222

Medication Instructions

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  • 7 DAYS prior to the procedure
     STOP TAKING
    • Herbal and workout supplements
    • Over the counter medications such as:
      • Fish oil
      • Pain relievers (ex. Aleve, Motrin, Advil, and Ibuprofen, or Aspirin—unless directed otherwise by your surgeon) 
    • Oral weight loss medications (ex. Phentermine, Adipex, Fastin)
     CONTINUE TAKING, as needed
    • Acid reflux medications (ex. Pepcid, Protonix and Prilosec)
    • Tylenol for pain
  • 3 DAYS prior to the procedure
     STOP TAKING
    • Certain diabetes medications that end with “gliflozin” (ex. empagliflozin, canagliflozin, and dapagliflozin. Trade names are Invokana, Farxiga, Jardiance, and several others.) Only stop these types of diabetic medicines. Continue all other diabetic medications.
  • 1 DAY before procedure
     STOP TAKING
    • Long-acting Insulin, take only ½ dose the night before surgery
    • Certain high blood pressure medications called:
      • ACE inhibitors (ex. Benazepril, Captopril, Lisinopril)
      • ARBs (ex. Losartan, Olmesartan, Valsartan)
    • Recreational drugs, alcohol, and tobacco
  • DAY OF PROCEDURE
     STOP TAKING
    • Insulin
    • Oral diabetic medication
    • Diuretics (aka “water pills”)
    • Fiber or bulking agents
    • Medications that require you to take with food or milk
     CONTINUE TAKING, as needed Medications that SHOULD be taken on the day of surgery with a sip of water
    • All other blood pressure medications (excluding those listed above such as ACE Inhibitors and ARB)
    • Asthma Inhalers (bring these with you)
    • Acid reflux medications (ex. Pepcid, Protonix and Prilosec)
    • Clonidine
    • Gabapentin or Lyrica
    • Thyroid medications
    • Regularly scheduled prescribed pain medications such as norco
  • Blood Thinning Medications

    Whether to continue or stop taking your blood thinning/anticoagulant medications is determined by what type of surgery you are having and your surgeon’s preference. You will be instructed by your surgeon regarding stopping blood thinning medications.

Colonoscopy Prep Medicine Instructions

Your doctor will prescribe a specific prep medicine tailored to you.

The day of your procedure

Remember: You must have a responsible adult bring you 18 years or older, stay and drive you home the day of the procedure. Your driver must be present at the time of check-in for your procedure. You will not be allowed to travel home alone in a taxi or by bus. If you arrive without a responsible party, we will have to reschedule your procedure.

Please leave all valuables and jewelry at home.

Upon your arrival to the Endoscopy Unit

After you have completed your registration, you will be called back to the pre-operative area and prepared for your procedure. You may bring one visitor back with you when the pre-op area is ready for them.

You will be with us for approximately 2-4 hours. (The exam itself lasts approximately 30-45 minutes.) When your procedure is completed, you will be taken to a room where you will rest until your sedative has worn off. Once you are alert, your physician will speak with you.

After your procedure

You will be monitored for a short time before being released to go home. You must have a responsible party, 18+ years old, to drive you home after the procedure, if you received anesthesia. You may feel groggy for a while after your procedure, this is normal.

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  • Side effects

    Your procedure itself can cause several side effects, such as:

    • Abdominal cramping
    • Bloating
    • Gas
    • Some slight rectal bleeding

    These side effects are usually mild and go away on their own within a day or two.

    If the bleeding continues or the stool contains a large amount of blood or blood clots, call the Endoscopy main line immediately.

  • Post anesthesia - Home Care
    After your procedure you should be watched by a responsible adult for 8 hours. This is to monitor for any adverse effects of the procedure and medications you were given.
    Don’t drink any alcohol for the next 24 hours
    Don’t drive or operate any dangerous machinery or make important business or personal decisions during the next 24 hours.
  • Follow up care

    Follow up with your healthcare provider as advised. Also follow up with your provider if you are not alert and back to your usual level of activity within 12 hours.

  • When to seek medical advice

    Have someone call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

    • Drowsiness gets worse
    • Weakness or dizziness gets worse
    • Repeated vomiting
    • Severe or ongoing pain from the procedure that’s not eased by the pain medicine (if prescribed)
    • Fever
  • When to Call 911

    Have someone call 911 if you have any of the following.

    • Shortness of breath
    • Chest pain
    • Loss of consciousness or you cannot be awakened

Our Locations

Endoscopy Main Line:
(409) 772-4798After hours: (409) 772-2222
Endoscopy, Angleton Danbury Hospital
Endoscopy, Clear Lake Hospital
Endoscopy, League City Campus
Endoscopy, UHC Galveston

Contacts & Resources

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