Read this entire document at least 1 week before your test. For a printable version of your bowel prep instructions and checklist click on download & print. Let’s review how to get ready for your colonoscopy using Golytely, Colyte, or Nulytely. These products might be referred to as PEG.
Bowel Prep Video:
View the bowel prep video at: uwhealth.org/colon-prep-gcd
3 Days Before Test
Start a Low Fiber Diet
See “Getting Ready for Your GI Procedure” handout for more information.
Pick up Bowel Prep
Your bowel prep will be ordered about two weeks before your test. Three days before your test:
Call the pharmacy to tell them youwill be picking up your bowel prep.
Pick up your bowel prep. Do not mix the prep until the day before thetest.
Buy soft toilet paper.
1 Day Before Test
Start a Clear Liquid Diet
See “Getting Ready for Your GI Procedure” handout for more information.
Mix the Prep
Mix prep as instructed on the jug and place in the fridge.
Take bowel prep out of the fridge at least 2 hours before drinking.
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.
Bowel Prep
Start drinking your prep at the timelisted on your Prep Checklist.
Follow the directions on thechecklist. Do not follow thedirections on the jug.
Stay near a bathroom. You will haveloose, then liquid stools. This is normal.
Your stools may take time to clear,this is normal.
Bowel prep tip: Add yellow Crystal Light® lemonade to each glass to improve taste.
Nausea
You may have cramping, bloating and/or nausea. If you have a lot of nausea or vomiting, slow down or stop for 30 minutes, then start again.
Test Day
Bowel Prep
Start drinking the rest of the prep 6hours before you arrive for your test.This may be in the middle of thenight.
Drink 1 cup (8oz) every 10-20minutes.
If you are still passing solid or brown stools, please call the procedure center. Your stools should be watery clear or yellow with no solids (flecks of stool are OK). You should finish the entire bowel prep solution, no matter the stool color or consistency.
Medicines
If you need to take medicine during the 4 hours before your test, 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 stays with you 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 your normal.
If you stopped blood thinning medicine before your test, ask your prescribing provider when it can be restarted.
Results
If you have biopsies taken or polyps removed, you can expect to get lab results in 1-2 weeks. 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.
To learn more about colon polyps visit: patient.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/7917
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
Bowel 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.
3 Days Before Test
Start a low fiber diet.
Call pharmacy to pick up bowel prep.
1 Day Before Test
If your arrival time is before 11:00 am:
Mix prep and put it in the fridge.
At 10 am stop eating solid food and begin clear liquid diet.
Take daily medicines (except those you were told to stop) at least 1 hour before or 1 hour after drinking prep.
At 4 pm start drinking prep
Drink 1 cup (8 oz) every 10-20 minutes until you’ve finished 3/4 the jug (about 12 cups).
You should be done with the prep by 6 pm.
If your arrival time is after 11:00 am:
Mix prep and put it in the fridge.
At 2 pm stop eating solid food and begin clear liquid diet.
Take daily medicines (except those you were told to stop) at least 1 hour before or 1 hour after drinking prep.
At 6 pm start drinking prep
Drink 1 cup (8 oz) every 10-20 minutes until you’ve finished 1/2 the jug (about 8 cups).
You should be done with the prep by 8 pm.
Day of Test
6 hours before arrival start drinking the rest of your prep.
Drink 1 cup every 10-20 minutes until you finish the prep.
Stop all liquids (even water) 4 hours before arrival.
If you need to take medicine during the 4 hours before arrival, drink nomore than 1/2 cup of water (4 ounces).
Call if you are still passing solid or brown stools or your bowels have notstarted to empty.