Do I Need to Have Special Preparation Before Colonoscopy?

Yes. It is vital to reduce stool production and cleanse your colon and rectum the day before a scheduled colonoscopy. This is called Bowel Prep. This ensures that residual stool were expelled, and a colonoscopy can be performed accurately and safely without interruption from residual stool. A suboptimal bowel prep may result in missing an important finding, or worse, repeating a colonoscopy at another time. After a consultation, Dr Yeh tailors a bowel prep regime for you and a detailed instruction will be provided.

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What Happens After Colonoscopy?

You will be escorted to the recovery room where you will be frequently monitored until the sedative effect has worn off. You may feel bloated from gas inflation during the colonoscopy, and it is common to frequently pass flatus during your recovery. It is illegal to drive under the influence of sedative medication. Therefore a relative or a friend shall pick you up after the procedure. It is also wise to arrange someone to supervise you for 24 hours after a colonoscopy. It is safe to drive a motor vehicle or operative machinery 24 hours after the procedure.

 

What is the Theoretical Risk of Colonoscopy?

Colonoscopy has a very safe profile with low risk of complications. Although it is rare, perforation of the colon can occur during colonoscopy. This complication may require a surgery to repair the damage.

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Colonoscopy Preparation

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Colonoscopy: PICOPREP x3  Bowel Preparation (Available "over the counter" from your pharmacy)

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1.The Bowel Preparation is essential for a successful procedure. The Bowel Preparation Regime aims to reduce the stool production and to eliminate the residual stool in the colon and rectum. It improves the accuracy of investigation and minimises the risk of bowel injury during the procedure. The examination may need to be repeated if the bowel preparation is inadequate.

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Please don't hesitate to call 02 9737 9536 if you have any question or any difficulty regarding to the bowel preparation regime

If you schedule a gastroscopy at the same date, please also refer to Gastroscopy Preparation.

 

One Week Before the Scheduled Colonoscopy

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1. ​Cease the medications as per Dr. Yeh's instruction
   a. Stop Aspirin, Plavix or Warfarin for one week (such as Cartia, Astrix, Disprin, Asasantin, or Isocover)
   b. Stop Non-vitamin k Oral AntiCoagulants (NOAC such as Pradaxa, Eliquis, or Xarelto) for 72 hours
   c. Stop SGLT2 Inhibitors, a new diabetic medication, for 72 hours (such as Dapagliflozin, Forxiga, Empagliflozin, Jardiance, Canagliflozin, or Invokana)
    

2. Ask your GP about whether to take the other regular medications, such as blood pressure, heart or diabetic medications, insulin and diuretics. If you are scheduled to see an anaesthetic doctor or nurse in the Pre-admission Clinic, you will receive advice regarding your medications.                                                                                                                                        

3. Arrange a relative or a friend to pick you up after the procedure. It is illegal to drive under the influence of sedative medication. It is safe to drive a motor vehicle or operative machinery 24 hours after the procedure.                                         

4. Ensure there is close supervision by your relative or friend for 12 hours after discharge home.

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One Day Before the Scheduled Colonoscopy

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Start CLEAR FLUID DIET in the morning. You can drink a mixture of the recommended clear fluid below.

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1. The Recommended Clear Fluid
   Water
   Gatorade
   Fruit Juices (Apple or Pear)
   Clear Chicken Broth
   Black Tea or Chinese Tea
   Black Coffee
   Plain Jelly
   Lemon Cordial
                                                                                                                           

2. ABSOULATELY NO MILK or SOLID FOOD (such as bread, meat, rice, noodles, cereals, egg, fruit or vegetables)                       
    

3. It is recommended to drink one to two glasses of clear fluids every hour to maintain hydration.                                               
    

4. If preferred, Each PICOPREP sachet can be mixed with 250ml of water and refrigerated for 1–2 hours before you need to drink it. It makes the mixture more palatable.                                                                                                                                    
    

5. Mix the FIRST sachet of PICOPREP with one glass of water and drink it between 2pm - 3pm. Then drink another two glasses of clear fluid over the next hour.
                                                                                                                                    

6. Mix the SECOND sachet of PICOPREP with one glass of water and drink it between 4pm - 5pm. Then drink another two glasses of clear fluid over the next hour.
                                                                                                                                      

7. Mix the THIRD sachet of PICOPREP with one glass of water and drink it between 6pm - 7pm. Then drink another three glasses of clear fluid until bedtime.                                                                                                                                                      

8. Follow the Fasting Instruction from the Booking and Admission Unit of the Hospital.

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On the Day of the Scheduled Colonoscopy

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1. Dress casual clothes. Don't wear jewellery and lipstick. Avoid wearing nail polish and artificial nails. Leave valuables at home.
    

2. You can drink a glass of water two hours prior to your scheduled hospital admission time. Follow the doctor's instruction about taking your essential medications with sips of water.
    

3. Inform a relative or a friend to pick you up after the procedure. Remember that It is illegal to drive under the influence of sedative medication. It is safe to drive a motor vehicle or operative machinery 24 hours after the procedure.