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Capsule Endoscopy
Preparation Instructions

Check in:

  • 7:45-8:00AM with our front office staff

  • If you arrive later than 8:00 am, we will be unable to proceed with the Capsule Endoscopy.

 

About Capsule Endoscopy:

A Capsule Endoscopy is a procedure in which a small wireless camera inside a vitamin-sized capsule, is swallowed and takes thousands of pictures of your gastrointestinal tract. The pictures are then transmitted and saved to a recorder on a belt that is around your waist.

 

What to bring and do prior to your procedure:

  • You should plan on being at our facility for at least 10 minutes.

  • Read prep instructions THOROUGHLY.

Weight Loss/Diabetes Medications:

  • GLP-1 Agonists: including Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), Victoza, Saxenda (liraglutide), Adlyxin (lixisenatide), Ozempic, Wegovy (semaglutide subcutaneous), Bydureon BCise (exenatide extended-release), Byetta (exenatide), Rybelsus (semaglutide tablet), Stop the oral or injectable medication one week prior to your test.

If you have diabetes, follow these instructions:

  • Long-Acting Insulins (ex. Lantus, Basaglar, Semglee, Toujeo, Insulin Glargine): Do not take any long-acting basal insulins the day before or the day of your procedure.

  • Rapid-Acting and Regular Short-Acting Insulin (ex. Lispro, Humalog, Admelog, Regular Insulin): If your blood sugar is high and you need to take a correction, take ½ or 50% of your usual correction. This applies to the day before and the day of your procedure.

  • Insulin Pump: Decrease basal rate by ½ the day before and the day of your procedure. Do not administer bolus doses.

  • Other Diabetic Oral & Injectable Medications (ex. Metformin, Glipizide, Sulfonylureas, Tradjenta, Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV (DPP IV) Inhibitors, Januvia, Janumet, Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors): Do not take the day before or the day of your procedure.

  • Check your blood sugar at same intervals as usual, and additionally, if needed: If your blood sugar is less than 60, please take glucose tablets at any time before your procedure with a sip of water.

Procedure Cancellation Notice Requirements:

  • Procedure cancellations must be made three (3) business days prior to your appointment.

  • Failure to provide the required advance notice will result in a $50 Total Cancellation Fee. 

Checklist to Ensure Proper Preparation

To ensure the proper completion of your procedure, we strongly suggest that you PRINT OUT this document and check off each of the instructions as you complete them.

 

5 days before your exam: 

☐  DO NOT take products that contain iron such as multi-vitamins or iron supplements. 

☐  Contact our office if you have specific concerns with the medications you are taking: 303-604-5000

1 day before your exam: 

☐  You may have a regular breakfast in the morning, but after 9 am, begin a clear liquid diet.

☐  If you have diabetes, please see Diabetes instructions above.

☐  You can have clear liquids up until 10 pm - NO solid foods.

☐  AFTER 10 pm, please take NOTHING by mouth, not even medication.

☐  Do NOT smoke or chew tobacco 24 hours prior to your exam, it may cause issues with your procedure.

☐  The charts below will show you clear liquid diet examples of what you can and cannot drink: 

CLEAR LIQUIDS - YOU CAN DRINK:

  • Gatorade, Pedialyte, Powerade, Kool-Aid 

  • Gatorade G2, Propel, Crystal Light 

  • Broth, Popsicles 

  • Jell-o, Juice without Pulp (ex. Apple Juice) 

  • Black Coffee

  • Tea, Water  

  • Clear Sodas (ex. Sprite, Ginger Ale) 

  • Sparkling water

DO NOT DRINK:

  • NO red or purple liquids 

  • NO Milk or non-dairy creamers 

  • NO Alcohol

  • NO Broth or soup 

  • NO Juice with Pulp (ex. pineapple juice) 

  • NO Liquid you cannot see through 

  • NO Apple Sauce 

  • NO Smoothies 

The day of your exam:

☐  No medication should be taken before 10 am the day of your exam. You CAN resume medications 2 hours after ingesting the capsule.

☐  Please wear comfortable, loose, two-piece clothing.

☐  Do NOT arrive to your exam later than 8:00 am. We will not be able to proceed if you do.

☐  At the office, you will ingest the capsule, and have the equipment attached to you.

☐  You may have clear liquids 2 hours after swallowing the capsule.

☐  You may have a light meal 6 hours after swallowing the capsule.

☐  PLEASE RETURN TO THE OFFICE BETWEEN 4:00-4:15 PM TO HAVE THE EQUIPMENT REMOVED.  This should only take a few minutes.

 

Instructions/expectations following the exam:

☐  After ingesting the capsule and until it is excreted, you should not be near any electromagnetic fields, such as an MRI device or amateur (ham) radio.

☐  We will not need the pill after it is excreted.

☐  It will be approximately 2 weeks before the report is available. Your provider’s nurse or medical
      assistant will contact you with the results. If you have any questions, please contact our office: 303-604-5000

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