Soft foods include:ĭuring this time, you also need to avoid foods that can be hard to digest or get in the way of the camera during your colonoscopy. Switching to a soft-food diet at least 48 hours before the colonoscopy may make your preparation easier. Switch to low-fiber foods at least five days before your exam. Sports drinks or light-colored, flavored beverages can help make taking the medication easier.Īt this time, you should start adjusting your diet to include foods that are easier to pass through your digestive system. You’ll need at least 64 ounces of a drink to take your laxative, so plan accordingly. The week of your colonoscopy, you’re going to eat foods that are easier to pass and less likely to cause constipation. This will help prevent skin irritation from the diarrhea and wiping. Diaper creamīefore your prep starts, cover your rectum with a diaper cream like Desitin. These products contain ingredients that can soothe irritated skin. Look for moist or medicated wipes, or wipes with aloe and vitamin E. Regular toilet paper may be too harsh after several trips to the bathroom. Buy the products your doctor recommends, and if you have any questions, call your doctor’s office before the day you’re meant to prep. Others recommend a combination of over-the-counter (OTC) products. Some doctors still prescribe laxative medication. Get a head start on your preparations and head to the store at least a week before your colonoscopy. This information will likely break down what you need to do by the day.Īlthough the timeline below can give you a general understanding of the process, your doctor is your best resource if you have any questions or concerns. When your doctor requests the colonoscopy, they’ll provide you with information on how to prepare for it, what products to use, and what you can expect. You’ll need to stay in a bathroom for several hours, and you’ll likely deal with some uncomfortable side effects, like diarrhea. This requires a series of strong laxatives to clean your intestines in the hours prior to the procedure. That’s because your colon needs to be empty and clear of waste. Preparing for the exam, however, can be unpleasant. You won’t feel or see anything, and recovery generally takes only a few hours. The test itself is brief, and most people are under general anesthesia during it. It’s one of the most efficient ways for doctors to: A colonoscopy exam allows your doctor to see the inside of your large intestine (colon) and rectum.

Colonoscopy prep timetable