For your safety, it is critical to follow the pre-procedure fasting instructions. If you eat or drink too close to your procedure, it may be cancelled or rescheduled. Sedatives given during the procedure affect your body’s ability to keep food and liquid in your stomach, which could cause serious complications such as aspiration. Refer to your specific procedure instructions for exact fasting times.
Stop the prep for about 30 minutes, then resume slowly and in small sips.
The following suggestions may help reduce nausea:
If you cannot finish the full prep or vomiting continues, contact the office at (208) 343-6458.
After completing your bowel prep, your bowel movements should be clear or yellow liquid with no solid stool. This means your colon is adequately cleansed and ready for the procedure. Most patients continue to pass this liquid right up until the procedure itself.
If you are still passing formed stool or dark brown fluid after finishing your prep, your procedure may need to be rescheduled. Please contact our medical staff as soon as possible at (208) 343-6458.
No. Alcohol can cause dehydration, which worsens the dehydration that commonly occurs during bowel prep. It is important to stay well hydrated with water or clear fluids instead.
Yes. If you are constipated when starting prep, the prep may not work as effectively, possibly leading to poor bowel cleansing and the need to reschedule. If you do not normally have at least one bowel movement per day, call the office ahead of time at (208) 343-6458 to discuss special prep instructions.
Yes. Menstruation does not interfere with having a colonoscopy.
No. Only patients are allowed in the procedure room. After your procedure, your physician will speak with your family member, friend, or designated contact in the recovery area.
Sedation used during colonoscopies and upper endoscopies can cause grogginess and slowed reflexes for up to 12 hours. You must arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and stay nearby if they want to hear your results. Rideshares such as Uber or Lyft are not recommended due to sedation effects.
A sore throat after an upper endoscopy is common and can last a few days.
To ease discomfort:
If your insurance requires a referral or prior authorization, our billing office will make every effort to obtain it before services are rendered. If you choose to proceed without required authorization, insurance may deny coverage. If you are a Medicare patient, you may be asked to sign an Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) acknowledging financial responsibility if insurance does not pay. If you are enrolled in a commercial insurance plan you will be asked to sign a non-covered services form.