Preparing for a Colonoscopy

*** Important Update: This video was originally published in 2010. Current procedures and preparations for a colonoscopy may have changed since then. Therefore, please consult with your physician to understand the precise protocol you should be following prior to your procedure. This video is intended for reference and general information purposes only.***

Prepare for your colonoscopy with these simple tips from Dr. Lynn Butterly, Director of the Colorectal Cancer Screening Program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States -- yet it's one of the few we can prevent. Prevention and detection are the keys to beating colorectal cancer.

The colonoscopy uses a thin, flexible tube through which your doctor can detect polyps with a tiny camera, and even remove them without discomfort in a matter of seconds. Preparing as effectively as possible for a colonoscopy gives your doctor the best chance of finding even the smallest polyps.

Your doctor will prescribe you the "prep" medication that you will drink beforehand, but you will also want to have other materials on hand for the "clear liquid diet" that you'll have to be on as well.

Clear liquids include apple juice, ginger ale, Jell-O, broth or bouillon. Hard candies may even be OK as well.

You also may want to have extra toilet paper, special wipes, or magazines or books.

Drink one glass every 15 minutes or so until you feel full, then take a break to let it work through your system. Don't get discouraged as you work your way through the jug; just remember, possibly having undiscovered colorectal cancer will be harder than this preparation!

The "split prep" is another option. You would do most of your prep in the afternoon and night, then finish the prep first thing in the morning, if your endoscopy center recommends it. Remember that you have to finish the prep at least an hour and a half before your appointment.

You can flavor your prep with a colorless flavor of Crystal Light (flavor each glass, not the whole jug). We encourage you to use more than one flavor for variety's sake.

Again, your own endoscopist may have different recommendations than what we have suggested here. Check with your provider for specific instructions.

Dartmouth Health, New Hampshire's only academic health system and the state's largest private employer, serves patients across northern New England. Dartmouth Health provides access to more than 2,000 providers in almost every area of medicine, delivering care at its flagship hospital, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) in Lebanon, NH, as well as across its wide network of hospitals, clinics and care facilities. DHMC is consistently named the #1 hospital in New Hampshire by U.S. News & World Report, and recognized for high performance in numerous clinical specialties and procedures. Dartmouth Health includes its Dartmouth Cancer Center, one of only 51 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the nation, and the only such center in northern New England; Dartmouth Health Children’s, including the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, the state’s only children’s hospital and clinic locations around the region; member hospitals in Lebanon, Keene and New London, NH, and Windsor, VT, and Visiting Nurse and Hospice for Vermont and New Hampshire; and more than 24 clinics that provide ambulatory services across New Hampshire and Vermont. Through its historical partnership with Dartmouth and the Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth Health trains nearly 400 medical residents and fellows annually, and performs cutting-edge research and clinical trials recognized across the globe with Geisel and the White River Junction VA Medical Center in White River Junction, VT. Dartmouth Health and its more than 13,000 employees are deeply committed to serving the healthcare needs of everyone in our communities, and to providing each of our patients with exceptional, personal care.

[beckybell]

I have had this done 4 times. My doctor allowed banana pop-cycles before the prep and that really helped. I found that if the prep is cold and drinking it with a straw made it much easier. Once you pass clear fluid you are done. I used to drink the whole thing and it was awful. Now, I drink until I only pass clear fluid and I'm done. This probably saved my life because a huge pre-cancerous polyp was found and removed.

[kaahinyare]

I did mine today.
I had to drink 4L of Peglyte the day before.
Just drink it every 15 minutes, try not fill your tummy once or you will puke.
The prep was not really that bad.
The actual procedure went very smooth and it’s really fast.
Good luck to everyone.

[josephshanley]

As a colon cancer survivor and a veteran of about 10 colonoscopies I recommend eating less a day or two before the test, don't starve yourself just eat less. And since starving and waiting sucks try to get the very earliest appointment available.

[TheLimbReaper]

Had my first colonoscopy this morning. Prep is no fun - unless you enjoy doing a garden hose out the butt impression for 12 hours. The actual procedure was a cake walk. Was under in a flash and had the best restful nap ever. Bottom line. This is nothing to be afraid of. The Dr. told me he removed 5 polyps. Hopefully they biopsy benign and all will be well. To me, those are now 5 less chances for a cancer.

[denisemaples]

One more helpful tip, as you drink the prep have a cup of coffee and take a sip after each drink of prep the bitterness helps with the intensity of the sugar prep

[robertahosey]

I had my colonoscopy on this past Thursday. And it’s true what they say, the prep is the hardest part. My advice is to add crystal light or a flavor pack to the mixture. Make it the morning that you are to drink it. Drink it cold with a straw. I couldn’t drink it fast, I started to gag so I took my time. I had a good result. My colonoscopy went well. I was scared of going under I thought I was going to be semi sedated. After the anesthesiologist asked how I felt when she administered it I said fine and that’s the last thing I remember. Next thing I know someone is calling my name and rubbing my shoulder to wake me up. I don’t remember the procedure. Didn’t have any pain. The Dr found one 3mm polyp. He removed it. And sent to the lab. I was just so happy to be able to eat after I got discharged. They made me feel so welcome. It was nice.

[terryshilo]

I usually eat a meal once a day, I snack here and there. Some days I actually don't realize until I get a pang and realize, hey... eat something. HOWEVER, it's been some years since I last had this done but I do remember that.. once you start, (I have a two day cleanse and liquid diet.. more like 1 1/2 days) AND I'm fricking starving! It has to be all in my mind, this happened last time. While I wait for bathroom trips from the first prep I'm enjoying reading some of the funny comments. Thanks for them. I've been through many illnesses and I have stage 4 cancer.. I used to be so embarrassed.. don't be embarrassed these people see this all day on each work day. So do your best prep and I hope you all receive good results.

[sylviarosario]

The liquid is horrifying. Omg I thought I was going to die. Thank god the results came out fine.

[Tampo-tiger]

Crikey, this video is 12 years old. What an amazingly clear, lucid lady this is. I cannot imagine how wonderful it would be to be married to somebody so sparklingly clever. Thank you Dr. Lynn, your video is still entirely relevant 12 years after you made it.

[El-Merith]

Excellent!! This is a "MUST SEE" video if you are preparing for a colonoscopy. Using the straw and flavoring by the glass helped TREMENDOUSLY. I found that you don't taste too much of the solution if you place the straw as far back on your tongue as possible.

[bart]

Excellent presentation!…. I’ve postponed this procedure 3 times out of fear. This video help alleviate that fear

[theclapaolini]

If anyone is afraid can forget that fear.
You are an excellent teacher and this is the best l have ever heard.God bless you for this.
Whatever you said was absolutely true.THANK YOU!GOD BLESS YOU.

[divisioneight]

When I finished my gallon, I went outside and kicked the container clear across the yard.   YEECCH!  But downed like a boss and all went well.

[warrenkawamoto]

Fast forward 2020. Yesterday I did my first colonoscopy, the newest prep now is called Suprep (super prep.) I've been told that the old prep tasted horrible. Suprep tastes just like Gatorade and is totally clear! For my procedure, I mixed 6oz Suprep with water to make 16oz, drink it, then drink 2 more 16 oz glasses of water within the hour. This was done the night before the colonoscopy. I thought the prep would cause cramps, but instead it was pain free. All I felt was mild peristalsis. The next morning, repeat the process 5 hours before the procedure. It was easy peasy!

[TURTLEORIGINAL]

It may sound odd to hear this, but you honestly explained this in such an easy, yet eloquent-informative manner, that this will truly help myself and I’m sure many other. Thank you very much, for this wonderful tutorial. God bless you.

[skatingcanuck]

I am having a colonoscopy this week and was feeling very anxious. Thank you Dr. Butterly for breaking it down and using straight forward analogies and explanations. Instead of looking at the procedure as torturous I now see it as an important opportunity to take charge of my health!

[anaelkettari]

got mine tomorrow, I hope that everything goes well to everyone! GOD BLESS U ALL

[meerabakshi]

we have seen several videos as my husband has to go for colonoscopy on a rather very short notice. Having almost no idea about "how to prepare yourself for the colonoscopy" we both were down with anxiety. We are so very thankful to this video as the Dr. Lynn Butterly has explined with lot of patience and covered each and every point of our anxiety. Thanks so much. I would say litterly Dr Butterly has shown the path making it soft sliding buttery road map! 😀

[steveblaugh]

I'm age 55 and had my first colonoscopy today. The prep, procedure and afterwards the "recovery" was astonishingly easy and since they found three polyps it was well worth it! The anesthesia was very mild and was like a light drowsiness-no fainting or dizziness and I was able to walk quite effortlessly afterward. I feel like they over-prepare but it is in your best interest to be on the safe side than risk a severe injury due to a slip-trip-fall accident. They knocked me out so I never saw or felt anything and the prep was "Sup-prep" (sp). It's NOT two days; it's about a 24-hour period. You start with 16oz of water and a 6oz bottle of the solution and then you drink two more 16-oz cups of water over the next one hour so I simply drank a third of a cup every ten minutes for that full hour after I drank the solution. You do the same the next morning, about three hours before your appointment and yes it's wise to stay near your restroom, it will give you major trots that you will feel coming on and in between you will be able to push a lot out that you will not even feel. The solution tastes like prune juice and Alka Seltzer. The entire process was painless, easy and well worth the "preventive medicine." A few farts, a day of drinking solution and water and a cab ride and one doctor appointment is well worth preventing cancer. Get it done and feel proud and relieved you either had a clean test or had early prevention and your polyps removed-they take them out as they go. Good luck!

[jalenfarley]

26 years old had mines done a few weeks ago. Don't be afraid to get it done. No cancer, just hemorrhoids, gonna try the preparation suppositories this week.