Endoscopic procedures require careful preparation on the part of the patient in order to be effective. You can download instructions for each type of preparation in this section.
Our patients are walked through each step of the process when they schedule their endoscopy or colonoscopy.
Please be sure to follow the directions of your provider and call us at 203-281-4463 if you have any questions about what to do.
Please read over these instructions carefully. If you have not prepared for your colonoscopy properly, your appointment will need to be rescheduled for a later date.
Our first concern is your health and safety. You will be given sedatives to help you relax during your colonoscopy, and these medications affect your body’s ability to hold food and liquid in your stomach. If you eat or drink on the day of your colonoscopy, there is a risk that food or liquid will travel up into your esophagus, where you could breathe it into your lungs. This can cause pneumonia and lead to life-threatening complications. If you eat or drink anything on the day of your colonoscopy, your colonoscopy will be rescheduled. On the day of your colonoscopy, you should only drink the last few glasses of laxative preparation and a small sip of water with approved medications.
You may be sleepy, uncomfortable, nauseated, or simply not yourself for several hours after your colonoscopy. In addition, your reflexes will be poor as a result of the sedatives that will be given to you. For this reason, you will not be able to drive (or operate heavy machinery) and you will need someone to accompany you and make sure that you get home safely. If you do not arrange for transportation to the endoscopy center, your colonoscopy will be rescheduled.
Alternative laxative preparations are available. However, they contain sodium phosphate, a chemical that can cause health complications, especially if you are older or have heart or kidney problems. Your gastroenterologist will help you decide which laxative preparations are safest and most effective for you.
Take a thirty minute break, and then try again. Drinking the liquid laxative more slowly may also help. For instance, if you are using NuLytely, GoLytely, Colyte, or Miralax, try drinking four ounces every 15-20 minutes. If you continue to have problems, call the office at (203) 281-4463.
The liquid laxative should take effect within three hours. If you don’t begin to have frequent and loose bowel movements within that time, a Dulcolax rectal suppository from the drugstore may help. Place one suppository in your rectum; repeat in an hour if needed. If you continue to have problems, call the office at (203) 281-4463.
Stop taking them immediately and call the office at (203) 281-4463. These medications increase your risk of bleeding, which is why we recommend that you stop taking them seven days before your colonoscopy. Our staff will help you determine whether or not your procedure will need to be rescheduled.
Though the procedure itself is only 20 to 30 minutes, you should expect to be at the Endoscopy Center for a total of 90 minutes. A nurse will meet with you for approximately 30 minutes before your colonoscopy. She will review your history, medications, and allergies; start an intravenous (IV) line; and attach special monitoring equipment to your skin. After your colonoscopy, you will rest in the recovery room under observation for another 30 minutes. If you do not arrive at the endoscopy center on time, your colonoscopy will be rescheduled.
The gastroenterologist who performed your colonoscopy will meet with you briefly while you are resting in the recovery room. You may not remember this meeting due to side-effects from the sedatives that will be given to you, so you will be given the option of scheduling a follow up visit at the time of discharge.
You will be given a hard copy of the preliminary results at the time of discharge. However, it will take about one week to receive the results of any polyp biopsies or removals.
