Preparation for Surgery

Our aim is to provide you with all the information needed to make informed decisions about managing your health.

Preparation Before a Colonoscopy

  • Bowel Preparation: You must follow a special diet and take bowel preparation medication before your procedure. Printed instructions will be provided at the time of your booking; alternatively, you can view the instructions below.
  • Fasting: It is essential to follow the fasting instructions to ensure your bowel is sufficiently clean for the test.
  • Medications: You may be instructed to stop your blood-thinning or diabetes medications.


Bowel Preparation

Picoprep Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy: Instructions

Before You Begin:

  • Read the instructions on the packaging thoroughly before starting the bowel preparation.
  • Follow the instructions given by your healthcare provider or as outlined in your prescription.
  • If you have any concerns or questions, contact your healthcare provider.
  • You must not drive for 24 hours following your colonoscopy; someone will need to take you home after your procedure.

Morning Colonoscopy

Two Days Before Your Colonoscopy

  • Do not eat brown bread, high-fibre cereals, vegetables, fruit, and anything with seeds or nuts
  • Aim to drink 2-3L of fluids throughout the day


Day Before Colonoscopy

  • Diet:
  • Consume a clear, liquid diet only. Avoid solid foods, dairy, and coloured liquids.
  • Acceptable clear liquids include water, clear broths, black coffee, tea (no milk), clear sports drinks, and clear fruit juices without pulp (apple, white grape). Avoid red or purple drinks.
  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day.
  • Medication:
  • Take any prescribed medications as directed by your healthcare provider.
  • Inform your healthcare provider about any existing medical conditions or medications you are taking.
  • PicoPrep
  • 1st dose 4 pm


Mix the contents of one sachet of PICOPREP in a glass (250 ml) of warm water and stir until dissolved. Drink the mixture, followed by two glasses of clear fluids. If you feel nauseated, drink prep via a straw.

  • 2nd dose at 7pm - Mix & drink as above.
  • 3rd dose at 9 pm

Repeat as above. - Continue drinking clear fluids up to bedtime.


Day of Colonoscopy

  • Drink water only. Up to 200 mL per hour, until 2 hours before your procedure.
  • No Food - Do not consume any food.

General Tips

  • Expect frequent bowel movements; stay near a bathroom.
  • Stay hydrated with clear liquids to prevent dehydration.
  • Wear comfortable clothing.
  • Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure.


Please note that these instructions serve as general guidelines. Always follow the specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider. Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you have any concerns or experience severe discomfort.

Afternoon Colonoscopy

Two Days before your colonoscopy

  • Do not eat brown bread, high-fibre cereals, vegetables, fruit, and anything with seeds or nuts.
  • Aim to drink 2-3L of fluids throughout the day.


Day Before Colonoscopy

  • Diet:
  • Have a light breakfast, avoiding the foods listed above, before 8:00 a.m.
  • Consume a clear liquid diet only after 8 am. Avoid solid foods, dairy, and coloured liquids.
  • Acceptable clear liquids include water, clear broths, black coffee, tea (no milk), clear sports drinks, and clear fruit juices without pulp (apple, white grape). Avoid red or purple drinks.
  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day.
  • Medication:
  • Take any prescribed medications as directed by your healthcare provider.
  • Inform your healthcare provider about any existing medical conditions or medications you are taking.
  • PicoPrep
  • 1st dose 6 pm


Mix the contents of one sachet of PICOPREP in a glass (250 ml) of warm water and stir until dissolved. Drink the mixture, followed by two glasses of clear fluids. If you feel nauseated, drink prep via a straw.

  • 2nd dose at 9 pm - Mix & drink as above.


Day of Colonoscopy

  • 3rd dose at 6 am - Repeat as above.
  • Drink water only. Up to 200 mL per hour, until 2 hours before your procedure.
  • No Food - Do not consume any food.

General Tips

  • Expect frequent bowel movements; stay near a bathroom.
  • Stay hydrated with clear liquids to prevent dehydration.
  • Wear comfortable clothing.
  • Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure.


Please note that these instructions serve as general guidelines. Always follow the specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider. Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you have any concerns or experience severe discomfort.

After Your Colonoscopy

After your colonoscopy, most patients are discharged the same day. There are usually no restrictions on activity, and most patients return to work the day after surgery. Rehydrating yourself is essential.


Risks and Complications of Colonoscopy

Colonoscopies are incredibly safe, and complications of colonoscopies are very uncommon

As with any medical procedure, a colonoscopy carries risks. However, relatively low risks occur in a very small percentage of cases. 

  • Incomplete or inadequate examination
  • Missed polyps
  • A perforation occurs when the colonoscope punctures the wall of the colon. This is a rare but potentially serious complication that may require surgery to repair.
  • Some people may experience an adverse reaction to the sedative used during the procedure, such as breathing problems or an allergic reaction.

Discussing the potential risks of colonoscopy with your surgeon before the procedure is essential. Your doctor will evaluate your medical history and risk factors to determine if a colonoscopy is best for you. 

The benefits of detecting colon cancer early through colonoscopy generally outweigh the risks, but it's essential to understand the potential complications before the procedure.

Preparation for Surgery

Pre-Op Checks

  • Order tests including certain blood and urine tests, X-ray and electrocardiogram (for heart function) to assess your overall health. 
  • Discuss with your doctor regular medications – both prescribed and over-the-counter as well as supplements.

Medications

  • Medications you can continue,
  • Medications you need to stop before surgery,
  • Any dietary adjustments required prior to your treatment, and
  • Any other lifestyle changes recommended or required.
  • Report any infections to me prior to surgery as the procedure cannot be performed until all infections have cleared up.

Pre-Op Milestones

Before Surgery

  • Adjust medications as instructed
  • Report any infections to me prior to surgery as the procedure cannot be performed until all infections have cleared up.

24 Hours Before Surgery

  • Do not consume alcohol - 24 hours prior to treatment,
  • Avoid vigorous physical activity or exercise 24 hours prior to surgery
  • Stop smoking before surgery to avoid complications and delay in healing.

6 Hours Before Surgery

  • Do not eat or drink anything, including water, for 6 hours before surgery.

Day of Surgery

What to Bring

Please plan your hospital stay assuming a duration of three days.

Arrival

  • The information you have supplied in your admission pack will be confirmed by a nurse.
  • The nurse will check your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, oxygen levels, medical/surgical history, and height and weight.
  • A thorough assessment will also be carried out, please inform the admitting nurse if you have bowel or bladder dysfunction.
  • Dependent on your age and history you will also have an ECG (Electrocardiogram) if you have not already assessed.
  • The nurse will check if you have had routine blood tests prior to surgery, or if you require further blood tests.
  • You may be reviewed by your anaesthetist prior to your surgery.
  • You will be measured for and given a pair of TED (anti-embolic) stockings to help reduce the risk of a blood clot post-operatively. These are to be worn before you go into theatre and are to be kept on until the day of discharge. Nursing staff will assist you to take them on and off for showering.
  • You will change into a hospital gown to ensure there are no delays in the theatre.

Anesthesia

  • Administration of general anesthesia or sedation and local anesthesia
  • The entire procedure can take 60 minutes to two hours.
  • Procedure is performed and sent to  recovery room, for observation
  • Pain medications may be prescribed to help with pain during the recovery phase.

After Surgery

Recovery

  • After your surgery you will remain in the recovery area until you are stable and comfortable then you will be transferred to the high dependency care unit for approximately 24 hours after your operation.
  • The nursing staff will monitor your vital signs hourly. They will also monitor your wound, wound drain, intravenous drip, your oral intake and urinary output. In most cases, you will have a urinary catheter in situ and this will be removed 1 -2 days after surgery. You are allowed to commence food and fluids as tolerated if you do not feel nauseous. You may find it painful to swallow initially but this will settle. Please advise staff if you are experiencing any increased difficulty with your swallowing or of any voice changes.
  • As you will need to remain in bed, your nurse will give you a hot towel wash on returning to the ward.
  • You will have oxygen delivered through nasal tubing that needs to remain in place for the first 24 hours.
  • The nursing staff will ask you regularly if you have any pain and will use a pain score system to assess your level of pain.
  • You will be asked to rate your pain (Scale O = no pain to 10 = worst possible pain)
  • Based on your answer, the nursing staff will arrange appropriate pain relief medication to be given to you.

Post Surgery Recovery

  • Do not consume large amounts of alcohol after surgery,
  • Avoid vigorous physical activity or exercise until advised,
  • You will be instructed when you can shower.
  • Follow the Post Surgery Treatment Plan proscribed by the surgeon and post op care specialists.
  • Any questions or complications should be communicated directly to the surgeon