Read this entire document at least 1 week before your test. This handout will tell you how to prepare for and what to expect after your flexible sigmoidoscopy. This test may be cancelled if you do not follow these instructions. We’ve provided a Prep Checklist on the last page to help you plan your prep.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a test to look at the lower part of your large bowel. This test can be used to find the cause of rectal bleeding or abdominal pain.

3 Days Before Test

Pick up Bowel Prep

You will need to buy the bowel prep supplies before the procedure from a local drugstore. You do not need a prescription.

MiraLax® (or store brand version) – 4.1-ounce bottle
Gatorade®/PowerAde® – buy two 28- 32-ounce bottles. Do not buy red or purple-colored liquids. (If you are diabetic, buy Pedialyte® instead).

In some cases, the doctor may also want you to do an enema as a part of your bowel prep. Do not buy this unless your doctor tells you to. Some patients will have the enema here right before the procedure.

1 Day Before Test

Diet

At 12:00 pm (noon), start a clear liquid diet. No solid foods.
See “Getting Ready for Your GI Procedure” handout for more information.

Medicines

Take your daily medicines except those you were told to stop. Take at least one hour before or one hour after drinking your prep.

Mix the Prep

In the early afternoon, mix the MiraLax® with both bottles of chilled Gatorade. It will be 56-64 ounces total. If you are diabetic, use Pedialyte®.
After you mix the prep, we suggest you put it in the fridge. Take it out of the fridge at least 2 hours before you start drinking it, so you won’t feel too cold.

Bowel Prep

Start drinking the prep at 6:00 pm.
Drink one 8-ounce glass of the total mixture every 15 minutes until gone.
Stay near a bathroom. You will have loose, then liquid stools. This is normal.
Drinking the prep through a straw may help improve the taste.
Between glasses, you can chew gum or suck on slices of lime or lemon or hard candies (avoid red or purple candy, as these can stain your colon).
After you mix the prep, we suggest you put it in the fridge. Take it out of the fridge at least 2 hours before you
start drinking it, so you won’t feel
too cold.
If you get chilled, try putting a blanket in the dryer to warm it up before using.
If your stool is still not clear, drink one 8-ounce glass of water every 15 minutes until your stool is clear.

Keep drinking clear liquids so you do not get dehydrated.

Test Day

Diet

Continue clear liquid diet (no red or purple). No solid food.
Stop drinking everything, even water, 4 hours before you arrive.
As you finish the prep, your stools should be watery clear or yellow, with no solids (flecks of stool are OK). If you are still passing solid or brown stools, call us at (608) 890-5010.

Medicines

If you need to take medicine during the 4 hours before your arrival, drink no more than 1/2 cup of water (4 ounces). Follow your provider’s directions for your diabetes or blood thinning medicines.

Before the Test

When you arrive, you can choose if your driver waits in the waiting room or in your private room where they will hear private health information.
The doctor will talk with you, answer questions, and ask you to sign a consent form.
A nurse will review your health history, take your vital signs and attach a heart monitor.
A nurse will place an IV and give you medicines to help you relax and keep you comfortable.
Your visit will take about 2-3 hours.

After the Test

Your doctor will review the results and give you a report. We strongly suggest that you have your driver in the room with you to hear the results.
You may feel tired when you leave.
Spend the day resting at home. You cannot drive or return to work. You can return to your normal routine the next day.
It may take up to a week for your bowel habits to return to normal.
If you stopped blood thinning medicine before your test, ask when it can be restarted.

Results

If you have biopsies taken or polyps removed, you can expect to get lab results 1-2 weeks later. Your results will be sent to your MyChart account. If you don’t have a MyChart account, someone will call you with results or results will be mailed to you.

When to Call

If you are still passing solid stools or your bowels have not started to empty by the morning of your test.
You have severe cramps.
You feel dizzy or lightheaded.
You have constant pain, rectal bleeding and/or a fever.
If you think you are having an allergic reaction. If you are having trouble breathing or swallowing, call 911.

Who to Call

Patient Resources

(They can help figure out if your insurance will cover transportation.)
(608) 821-4144

UW Health Digestive Health Center
(608) 890-5010

UW Health Ambulatory Procedure Center
(608) 263-8094

Meriter/Unity Point
(608) 417-6389

Prep Checklist

1 Week Before Test

Call your insurance company to confirm coverage.
Find safe transportation for the day of your test.
Talk to your prescribing provider about your diabetes and/or blood thinning medicines.
Call during clinic hours if you are constipated, had trouble prepping in the past or if you’ve had any major health changes since you scheduled your test.
Stop iron supplements, vitamins with iron and fish oil 5 days before your test.