INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLONOSCOPY If you are ... - Mydoctor.ca

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLONOSCOPY
If you are taking medication, and in particular, blood thinners (including asa or asa-containing products or medication
for bone loss), please notify your physician for additional instructions. Stop aspirin, advil, ibuprofen, vitamin E,
blood thinners and calcium 10 days prior to test, unless otherwise instructed.
Please notify this office as soon as possible at 905-714-0080 if you are unable to keep your assigned appointment.
Please note: if you are booked for an elective procedure and an urgent procedure needs to be scheduled, your
procedure may be rebooked. If you experience increased symptoms (i.e. bleeding, abdominal pain), please
notify our office. Your procedure may need to be moved to an earlier date.
Appointment: ______________________________ Time: ______________________________
Place:
Minor Operating Room - Outpatient
Welland County General Hospital
Third Street, Welland, ON
I. Please arrive for your appointment one hour before the scheduled time at ___________. Please bring your driver
with you.
2. Report to the Admitting/Central Registry Department.
3. Bring your Ontario Health Card with you.
4. Please make sure you have a ride home if you are booked for a Colonoscopy. A mild sedative is given.
5. The recovery room nurse will call your ride when you are ready to go home.
FOR THE DAY BEFORE YOUR SCOPE : _____________________
Please make sure you read all of the instructions and follow the instructions carefully for the day before your
scheduled procedure.
Purchase one (1) box of Pico-Salax at your pharmacy. (Note: two packets are contained in one box.)
Individual responses to this type of product may vary; this prep may cause several bowel movements. It often works
within 30 minutes, but may take as long as 3 hours. Please remain within easy reach of toilet facilities.
AT 12:00 P.M.
1. Mix one packet of Pico-Salax with 120 ml. (or 1/2 glass of water) and drink it.
2. Follow with one bottle of Gatorade.
AT 6:00 P.M.
1. Again, mix one packet of Pico-Salax with 120 ml. (or 1/2 glass of water) and drink it.
2. During the evening, drink at least three (3) more 240 ml. portions of “clear liquids” or more if
desired.
3. If your colonoscopy is booked for after 12:00 p.m., you may have clear fluids up to four (4) hours before
the colonoscopy.
If your colonoscopy is booked for the morning, you may have nothing after midnight the night before.
THE DAY BEFORE YOUR EXAMINATION:
During the day (on the day before the scope), drink only 'clear fluids' for breakfast, lunch and dinner. No solid foods,
milk or milk products are permitted.
Clear fluids include the following (except liquids coloured red or purple):
Strained fruit juices without pulp (such as apple, white grape, lemonade).
Water
Clear broth or bouillon.
Coffee or tea (without milk or non-dairy creamer)
Gatorade, Kool-Aid (or other fruit flavored drinks)
Jello (without added fruit or toppings)
Popsicles- no red or purple.
Carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks.
If you are taking medications and, in particular, blood thinners, (including ASA, ASA-containing products OR NSAIDS
or medication for bone loss), please notify your physician for additional instructions.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT COLONOSCOPY AND POLYPECTOMY
What is the purpose of this test?
To examine the lining of the large bowel.
How is it done?
A long flexible tube (colonoscope) is inserted into the rectum and advanced through the large bowel (colon).
How long will it take?
The test will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
What preparation is needed?
Follow the instruction sheet carefully for the day before the examination. No dairy products or solid food until
the test is over.
What can I expect during the test?
You will be given an intravenous injection to make you sleepy and relaxed. While you are lying on your left
side, the tube is inserted into the rectum and gradually advanced through the colon. The doctor will be examining the
lining of the bowel. The tube is then withdrawn. You may feel uncomfortable during the test because air is used to
inflate the bowel. Abnormalities suspected by x-ray can be confirmed and biopsies (tissue specimens) can be taken.
Polyps may be found. These are abnormal growths of tissue which can bleed and turn into cancer. The doctor will
discuss this with you before removal. If removal is indicated, the doctor will pass a wire loop or snare through the
scope and sever the attachment to the polyp from the intestinal wall by means of electrical current. You should feel no
pain during the removal of the polyp.
What can I expect after the test is over?
You may feel bloated. Outpatients will be allowed to go home, but you must not drive home as you have
received medication. Unless your doctor tells you differently, you may resume your diet one hour after the test.
Are there any complications from colonoscopy and polypectomy?
Colonoscopy and polypectomy are safe and associated with a very low risk when performed by physicians
experienced in these procedures. One possible complication is perforation in which a tear through the wall of the
bowel may allow leakage of intestinal fluids. This complication usually is managed with antibiotics and intravenous
fluids but may require surgery. Bleeding may occur from the site of biopsy or polyp removal. It is usually minor and
stops on its own or can be controlled by cauterization through the scope. Rarely, transfusions or surgery may be
required. Localized irritation of the vein may occur at the site of medication injection. A tender lump develops which
may remain for several weeks to several months, but goes away eventually. Very rare risks include drug reactions
and complications from unrelated diseases such as heart attack or stroke.
Please notify the office as soon as possible if you are unable to keep your assigned appointment.
If you have any questions, please call Dr. Willard's office - 905-714-0080.
PLEASE NOTE:
IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED THAT YOU TRAVEL FOR ONE WEEK AFTER A
COLONOSCOPY. IF TISSUE IS TAKEN FOR A BIOPSY OR A POLYP IS REMOVED,
IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED THAT YOU TRAVEL FOR TWO WEEKS AFTER THE
PROCEDURE.