Colonoscopy
CALL TO SCHEDULE (937) 578-2020
A colonoscopy is a procedure where a long, thin camera is inserted through the rectum to evaluate the entire inner lining to your colon and sometimes the very end of the small intestine. This allows your doctor to inspect the colon to identify issues such as polyps, bleeding, ulcerations, or other abnormalities. During the procedure, the doctor can remove polyps or take biopsies of abnormal tissue for further examination.
Who needs a colonoscopy?
Current recommendations for a colonoscopy are that everyone should have a colonoscopy starting at age 45, with follow-up depending on results of the scope. If you have an immediate family member with a history of colon cancer, your screening should start 10 years earlier than their age at diagnosis or 45, whichever is sooner. There are some familial/genetic conditions where we recommend a colonoscopy even earlier. The goal of a screening colonoscopy is to prevent development of colon cancer or to at least catch it while it is still small and more easily treatable. Patients who experience bowel movements or anemia without an obvious cause will be recommended for a colonoscopy to try to find out more.
What are the risks?
Risks of a colonoscopy include bleeding, missed lesions, incomplete colonoscopy, perforation, and need for further procedures. It is normal to have small amounts of blood in your bowel movements for 2-3 days if polyps were removed, but it should be a little, not a lot. If it is a considerable amount, please call us. The risk of perforation, or a small hole/tear in your colon, is less than 1%. It is normal to have some cramping and bloating immediately after the surgery but this should quickly dissipate. If you have increasing pain and bloating, sometimes accompanied with a low grade fever, we want to know immediately.
Will I be sedated?
Yes! You will have sedative medications through an IV that will make you sleep but you will still be breathing on your own. It is ok if you wake up and you are in the procedure room. Sometimes the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will need to lighten your sedation momentarily to let you take some deeper breaths but our team is with you the whole time and they will give you more medication once it is safe. Usually people do not even remember briefly waking up during the procedure but if you do, don’t worry! We are with you and you are safe.
CALL TO SCHEDULE (937) 578-2020
What to expect when scheduling your colonoscopy.
- A referral from your primary care provider is required.
- Central Scheduling will reach out to you via phone within two business days of receiving the referral to schedule your colonoscopy.
- During this phone call:
- You will be asked about any prior colonoscopies – if you’ve previously had one, the date of your last colonoscopy would be helpful (but it’s not required).
- You will verify your personal and insurance information. Please have your insurance card available.
- We encourage you to call your insurance company, to ensure your colonoscopy is a covered benefit of your plan. During the call, Central Scheduling can provide specific diagnostic and procedure code information to you.
- If your insurance changes prior to the date of service, please call Central Scheduling at (937) 578-2020, as soon as possible to notify them of the change. Our team will need the name of your plan, effective date, subscriber ID, and subscriber name.
- For future ease, we recommend uploading your insurance card to your MyChart account.
- Central Scheduling will follow-up with you via phone three weeks prior to your colonoscopy, to validate insurance information and confirm the date of the procedure.
- Once confirmed, you will receive MyChart messages that serve as reminders leading up to your colonoscopy.
Preparing for Your Colonoscopy
There are several steps in the colonoscopy preparation process – 14 days prior, 7 days prior, 5 days prior, 2 days prior, the day before, and the day of your procedure. Below, we’ve provided guidance on medications, diet and supplements, step-by-step bowel prep instructions, and additional information to ensure you’re ready for your procedure.
Weeks Before Your Colonoscopy
Prescribed Medication Recommendations
14 days prior to your procedure, stop taking:
- Adipex
- GLP1’s/Semaglutides
- Exanetide (Byett, Bydureon)
- Lixidenatide (Adlyxin)
- Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus)
- Liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza)
- Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
- Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)
Dietary and Supplement Recommendations
7 days prior to your procedure, stop taking and eating:
- All vitamins & supplements
- Nuts, seeds, and granola
Blood Thinner Recommendations
Check with your prescribing physician for instructions if you take blood thinners.
5 days prior to your procedure, patients usually stop taking:
- Clopidogrel (PLAVIX)
- Warfarin (COUMADIN)
- Prasugrel (EFFIENT)
2 days prior to your procedure, patients usually stop taking:
- Apixabaan (ELIQUIS)
- Rivaroxaban (XARELTO)
- Dabigatran (PRADAXA)
Over-the-Counter Medication Recommendations
5 days prior your procedure, stop taking:
- Advil
- Aleve
- Ascriptin
- Celebrex
- Clinoril
- Diclofenac
- Empirin
- Feldene
- Ibuprofen
- Indocin
- Indomethacin
- Medipren
- Motrin
- Naprosyn
- Nuprin
- Piroxicam
- Sulindac
Colonoscopy Prep Instructions
Your provider will assign you one of five bowel prep options.
- If you are assigned a prescribed bowel prep option (SUFLAVE®, SUPREP®, SUTAB®, and GoLYTELY®), it will be sent to your preferred pharmacy. Please ensure you pick up your prep at least two (2) days prior to your procedure.
- If you are assigned the over-the-counter bowel prep option (MiraLAX®& Dulcolax®), please ensure you shop for the necessary bowel prep items at least two (2) days prior to your procedure. Consider stopping by Dave’s Pharmacy and grabbing their convenient over-the-counter prep kit that includes everything you’ll need to complete the process, and at a discounted price.
Once you have identified which prep your provider selected, please review the corresponding colonoscopy prep instructions below.
Prescribed Bowel Prep Options
SUFLAVE® Bowel Prep Instructions
SUPREP® Bowel Prep Instructions
SUTAB® Bowel Prep Instructions
GoLYTELY® Bowel Prep Instructions
Over-the-Counter Bowel Prep Option
MiraLAX® & Dulcolax® Bowel Prep Instructions
The Day Before Your Colonoscopy
Start your bowel prep by following your assigned bowel prep instructions.
Maintain a clear liquid diet ALL DAY – no solid foods until after your procedure.
The following clear liquids are approved:
- Water
- Strained fruit juices (without pulp) including apple, orange, white grape, or white cranberry
- Limeade or lemonade (without pulp)
- Coffee or tea (DO NOT use any dairy or non-dairy creamer)
- Chicken broth
- Gelatin desserts without added fruit or topping (NO RED, BLUE, OR PURPLE)
DO NOT consume:
- DO NOT drink milk
- DO NOT eat or drink anything colored red, blue, or purple
- DO NOT drink alcoholic beverages
- DO NOT smoke or use smokeless tobacco after midnight
The Day of Your Colonoscopy
Your procedure will be DELAYED or CANCELED if you eat. This includes gum, mints, or any tobacco products.
Clear liquids only – do not drink any liquids for the last 2 hours before your procedure in order to be eligible to receive anesthesia.
- You must be accompanied by an adult at the time of your procedure.
- One visitor is permitted in the preoperative area (no children).
- You must have someone to drive you home.
- Bring your insurance card and a valid photo ID.
- If you have a Living Will, Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare, or a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR), please bring them with you.
- If you have an implanted stimulator, you must bring the remote device to turn the stimulator on/off with you on the day of your procedure.
- Bring a list of your current medications with you.
- If you are diabetic, please check your blood sugar level before arriving.
- Remember the following:
- Leave valuables at home including jewelry, money, etc.
- Remove contacts and/or dentures or bring a case to put them in during your procedure.
Transportation – Make arrangements for a responsible adult driver to accompany you on the day of your procedure and to drive you home. You can expect 2-4 hours after check-in. If your driver cannot be confirmed when you arrive, we will not be able to provide sedation, and your procedure may need to be rescheduled.
After Your Colonoscopy
You may not drive/operate heavy equipment or power tools the day of your colonoscopy.
You may return to work and all other activities the following day without restrictions.
If you notice increased pain and bloating, call your surgeon. If it is after-hours, you can ask to speak to the surgeon on-call. If it is a more minor issue, you can call and talk to one of the nurses during business hours the next day. However, if you have sudden severe chest pain, shortness of breath, or are feeling increasingly sick or lightheaded, you should call 911 and be taken to the emergency room right away.
