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One Gallon Prep (Morning and Afternoon)

PDF Icon Click Here to download the One Gallon Morning Procedure Prep Instructions
   
PDF Icon Click Here to download the One Gallon Afternoon Procedure Prep Instructions

Please Read ALL Instructions Carefully

Also refer to the Prep FAQ below

Morning Procedure Instructions

Five Days Before Your Exam:

  • STOP taking iron and multivitamins containing iron five days prior to procedure.
  • If you are taking Coumadin or other blood thinners, contact us at 303-444-4066 regarding specific instructions as to when to stop taking these medications.
  • If you are a diabetic, contact us at 303-444-4066 regarding specific instructions.  

CONTINUE YOUR REGULAR MEDICATIONS UNLESS YOU'RE TOLD OTHERWISE

Two to Three Days Before Your Exam:

  • Purchase a one-gallon colon prep from your pharmacy. You will need a prescription from our office. The prep is unflavored; you may add one packet of Crystal Light Lemonade-Flavored soft drink mix. 
  • From your grocery store, purchase
    • Clear liquids, such as water, tea, coffee (NO CREAMER), 7-Up, ginger ale, apple or white grape juice (no juice that is red or purple), clear soup broth, gelatin (no red or purple), popsicles (no red or purple), Gatorade (no red or purple) or 100% cranberry juice (even though it's red, there's no dye in it).
    • A lemon or lime.
    • Tucks medicated wipes or baby wipes (alcohol and fragrance free) and Charmin Plus toilet tissue to minimize the expected anal irritation from wiping. 

 

If Your Colonoscopy is Scheduled for the Morning
Follow These Instructions the Day Before Your Exam:
Morning Have a regular breakfast, avoiding vegetables, pulpy fruits, oatmeal, and cereals with high fiber, nuts and small seeds such as sesame seeds. 

Noon

Have a CLEAR LIQUID LUNCH.  You may have as many clear liquids as you want.  (Listed above)

Dinner

 Have a CLEAR LIQUID DINNER.

After Dinner

Prepare, or mix together, your one-gallon prep. Carefully read the instructions for mixing the solution. Refrigerating it can help with the taste.

Begin drinking the one-gallon prep. Drink 8 ounces every 10 minutes. If this becomes difficult, drink a glass every 15 or more minutes, as you can tolerate. It’s best to drink each glass quickly rather than slowly sipping. To clear your palate of the taste, try sucking a lemon or lime wedge before and after each glass. Drink the whole gallon of prep.

Note: Yes, it takes the whole gallon of laxative solution to really do a good job. If you want an accurate examination, it is important that your preparation for the test is complete. If your colon is not well cleaned out, the test may have to be rescheduled for another day.

  • Feelings of bloating, chills, and/or nausea are common after the first few glasses, due to the large volume of fluid ingested. This is temporary and will improve once bowel movements begin. Most people have a bowel movement within an hour or two of starting the laxative. Sometimes, there may be a delay of four hours. You just need to be patient. Just remember to stay close to a bathroom.
  • Tucks/baby wipes and Charmin Plus toilet tissue may help with irritation after the numerous bowel movements.

That Evening

Continue with CLEAR LIQUIDS.
The Day of Your Exam:
Morning of the Exam You may continue CLEAR LIQUIDS up to 3 hours prior to the procedure. Take nothing by mouth – NOT EVEN CLEAR LIQUIDS – three (3) hours before your exam. However, you may take medications, with sips of water.

Things to Remember Before You Go to Our Clinic

  • Do not bring or wear any jewelry on the day of your procedure.
  • Please bring a current list of your medications and allergies (if this is written out it may expedite your check in time).
  • Please bring a photo ID and insurance card if we have not already scanned it into our system.
  • YOU MUST HAVE AN ADULT DRIVER, 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, TO DRIVE YOU HOME AFTER THE PROCEDURE WHO WILL ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOU. The person driving you must remain at the facility or be within a 15-minute distance. The nurse will notify them when your procedure is complete.  Your designated adult driver will be responsible to be present at discharge for instructions and teaching. You are not allowed to take a taxi, bus, walk home, etc. If you do not have a ride your procedure will have to be cancelled.  You will be asked not to drive, sign legal documents or consume alcohol for 24 hrs.  It might be helpful if someone stays with you for the following 6 hours after the procedure in case you are still sleepy. 
  • Plan to be at the facility a total of 1-2 hours for check-in, procedure and recovery.  Your ride will be permitted to stay with you during check in and recovery.  They will be asked to stay in the waiting area during your procedure. 

Afternoon Procedure Instructions

 
PDF Icon Click Here to download the One Gallon Afternoon Procedure Prep Instructions

Five Days Before Your Exam:

 
  • STOP taking iron and multivitamins containing iron five days prior to procedure.
  • If you are taking Coumadin or other blood thinners, contact us at 303-444-4066 regarding specific instructions as to when to stop taking these medications.
  • If you are a diabetic, contact us at 303-444-4066 regarding specific instructions.  

CONTINUE YOUR REGULAR MEDICATIONS UNLESS YOU'RE TOLD OTHERWISE

 

Two to Three Days Before Your Exam:

 
  • Purchase a one-gallon colon prep from your pharmacy. You will need a prescription from our office. The prep is unflavored; you may add one packet of Crystal Light Lemonade-Flavored soft drink mix. 
  • From your grocery store, purchase
    • Clear liquids, such as water, tea, coffee (NO CREAMER), 7-Up, ginger ale, apple or white grape juice (no juice that is red or purple), clear soup broth, gelatin (no red or purple), popsicles (no red or purple), Gatorade (no red or purple) or 100% cranberry juice (even though it's red, there's no dye in it).
    • FULL LIQUIDS, such as milk shakes, creamy soups, pudding, yogurt, fruit juice, cream of wheat.
    • A lemon or lime.
    • Tucks medicated wipes or baby wipes (alcohol and fragrance free) and Charmin Plus toilet tissue to minimize the expected anal irritation from wiping. 
 
If Your Colonoscopy is Scheduled for the Afternoon
Follow These Instructions the Day Before Your Exam:
Breakfast and Lunch Have a regular breakfast, avoiding vegetables, pulpy fruits,

oatmeal, and cereals with high fiber, nuts and small seeds such as sesame seeds. 

Dinner

 Have a FULL LIQUID dinner You may have as many full liquids as you want.  (listed above)

That Evening

Continue with CLEAR LIQUIDS only. You are permitted to continue CLEAR LIQUIDS up to 3 hours prior to the exam.
The Day of Your Exam:
Morning of the Exam

Prepare and mix together your half gallon prep.  Carefully read the instructions for mixing the solution.  Refrigerating it can help with the taste. 

At least 6 hours prior to your procedure, prepare your one-gallon prep. Carefully read the instructions for mixing the solution. Refrigerating it can help with the taste. Begin drinking the one-gallon prep. Drink 8 ounces every 10 minutes. If this becomes difficult, drink a glass every 15 or more minutes, as you can tolerate. It’s best to drink each glass quickly rather than slowly sipping. To clear your palate of the taste, try sucking a lemon or lime wedge before and after each glass. Drink the whole gallon of prep.  

Note: Yes, it takes the whole gallon of laxative solution to really do a good job. If you want an accurate examination, it is important that your preparation for the test is complete. If your colon is not well cleaned out, the test may have to be rescheduled for another day.

  • Feelings of bloating, chills, and/or nausea are common after the first few glasses, due to the large volume of fluid ingested. This is temporary and will improve once bowel movements begin. Most people have a bowel movement within an hour or two of starting the laxative. Sometimes, there may be a delay of four hours. You just need to be patient. Just remember to stay close to a bathroom.
  • Tucks/baby wipes and Charmin Plus toilet tissue may help with irritation after the numerous bowel movements.
You may continue CLEAR LIQUIDS up to 3 hours prior to the procedure. Take nothing by mouth – NOT EVEN CLEAR LIQUIDS – starting 3 hours before your exam. You may take medications, with sips of water.

Things to Remember Before You Go to Our Clinic

  • Do not bring or wear any jewelry on the day of your procedure.
  • Please bring a current list of your medications and allergies (if this is written out it may expedite your check in time).
  • Please bring a photo ID and insurance card if we have not already scanned it into our system.
  • YOU MUST HAVE AN ADULT DRIVER, 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, TO DRIVE YOU HOME AFTER THE PROCEDURE WHO WILL ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOU. The person driving you must remain at the facility or be within a 15-minute distance. The nurse will notify them when your procedure is complete.  Your designated adult driver will be responsible to be present at discharge for instructions and teaching. You are not allowed to take a taxi, bus, walk home, etc. If you do not have a ride your procedure will have to be cancelled.  You will be asked not to drive, sign legal documents or consume alcohol for 24 hrs.  It might be helpful if someone stays with you for the following 6 hours after the procedure in case you are still sleepy. 
  • Plan to be at the facility a total of 1-2 hours for check-in, procedure and recovery.  Your ride will be permitted to stay with you during check in and recovery.  They will be asked to stay in the waiting area during your procedure. 

 

Prep Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I mix my prep with a soft drink such as Sprite or 7-up?

No, as it may alter the prep. But you can drink clear liquids in between the glasses of the prep.

2. I drank about one half of the prep and I am nauseous. Do I need to continue?

Our first recommendation is to slow down and drink smaller amounts with more time in between. Also, sipping it through a straw seems to help. Eat Jello or popsicles in between glasses to help with the taste.

3. If I can’t drink another drop and there is still dark stool being expelled what do I do?

If you are drinking the full gallon Nulytely or Trilyte, go to the pharmacy and purchase a bottle of magnesium citrate over the counter. That should finish the prep for you.

4. I do not feel well or I have started my period, should I still come in?

We appreciate a 24 hour notification for a cancellation. If you have started your period, it will not interfere with the procedure. If you are very ill, please call the office and speak to a nurse.

5. What if I drank all of the prep and I have not had a bowel movement?

Sometimes it takes 4-6 hours for the prep to take effect. Be patient, it will happen.

If you have any questions, please call our office at 303.444.4066.

Endoscopy Center of the Rockies and St. Vrain Endoscopy Center were developed by members of the medical community interested in providing quality care in a comfortable setting. Physicians of Gastroenterology of the Rockies have an ownership interest in these centers.