Colonoscopy Preparation

Thorough bowel preparation is crucial for a successful colonoscopy. A clean bowel allows Dr Selvanderan to see the bowel lining clearly and detect any abnormalities.

Two days before your procedure:

• Switch to a low-residue diet

• Avoid high-fibre foods including wholegrain bread and cereals, nuts, seeds, raw vegetables, fruit with skin or seeds, tough meat, and brown rice

• Suitable foods include white bread, plain pasta or rice, well-cooked vegetables without skin, lean meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, and clear soups

One day before your procedure:

• Consume only clear liquids from the morning onwards

• Suitable clear liquids include water, clear broth or stock, black tea or coffee (no milk), clear fruit juice (apple, white grape—no pulp), sports drinks, jelly (not red or purple), and icy poles (not red or purple)

• Avoid red, purple or blue coloured drinks as they can be mistaken for blood

• Stay well hydrated—drink plenty of clear fluids throughout the day

Instructions:

• You will be provided with a bowel preparation solution (such as Picosalax, Prepkit-C, Glycoprep, Plenvu or similar)

• Dr Selvanderan's rooms will specify which preparation to use and provide detailed instructions

• The preparation typically involves drinking the solution over several hours, usually starting the afternoon before your procedure

• The solution will cause frequent, watery bowel motions

• Stay close to a bathroom once you start the preparation

• The bowel motions should become clear or pale yellow by the end of preparation

Signs of good bowel preparation:

• Your bowel motions should be clear or pale yellow, like urine

• There should be no solid matter or dark-coloured liquid

• If your preparation is not adequate, the procedure may need to be rescheduled

• Chill the solution—it's easier to drink cold

• Drink through a straw

• Suck on a lemon or lime wedge between glasses

• Take small breaks if needed, but complete the full preparation

• Continue drinking clear fluids even after finishing the preparation solution

• Most regular medications can be continued

• Blood thinners may need to be stopped—follow the specific instructions from Dr Selvanderan's team

• Iron supplements should be stopped 5-7 days before the procedure as they can stain the bowel

• Diabetic medications will need adjustment—discuss this with our team

• Take any regular medications on the morning of the procedure with a small sip of water (at least 2 hours before arrival)

• Your referral letter

• Medicare card and private health insurance details

• List of current medications and allergies

• Any previous colonoscopy reports

• A responsible adult to drive you home

• Do not eat any solid food on the day of your procedure

• You may drink clear fluids up to 2 hours before your arrival time

• Arrive at the designated time

• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing

• You will be asked to change into a hospital gown

• You cannot drive for 24 hours after sedation

• If you experience severe abdominal pain or bloating during preparation

• If you vomit repeatedly and cannot keep down the preparation

• If you have concerns about your preparation quality

• If you're unsure about any aspect of the preparation

General Information for Both Procedures

Recovery:

• You will rest in a recovery area for 30-60 minutes while the sedation wears off

• A nurse will monitor you until you're ready to go home

• Dr Selvanderan will discuss the findings with you before you leave, though you may not remember this conversation due to sedation

• You will receive a written report to take home

Going home:

• You must be collected by a responsible adult

• Do not drive, operate machinery, drink alcohol, or make important decisions for 24 hours

• Rest for the remainder of the day

• Most patients can return to normal activities the next day

Eating after your procedure:

• After gastroscopy: You can eat and drink once any throat numbness has worn off (usually about an hour)

• After colonoscopy: Start with light foods and build up to your normal diet as tolerated

Contact Dr Selvanderan's rooms or seek medical attention if you experience:

• Severe or worsening abdominal pain

• Persistent vomiting

• Fever or chills

• Significant rectal bleeding (more than a small amount)

• Chest pain or difficulty breathing

• Any other concerning symptoms