This handout explains the steps you need to follow for your bowel prep as you prepare your bowel for surgery.
Clear Liquid Diet
“Clear liquid” means no sediment, no fiber, and no pulp. Clear does not mean colorless. A clear liquid diet includes:
Water
Jell-O®-homemade only
Popsicles-no fruit fiber
Sparkling water or soda
Broth or bouillon
Crystal Light®
Juice-no pulp (apple okay, no orange)
Hard candy
Coffee or tea, no creamer – sugar is OK
Gatorade® or other clear sports drink
No alcohol or dairy products
Ensure Clear® (protein drink)
2 Days Before Surgery
Follow the instructions on your checklist and purchase the Bisacodyl Laxative, MiraLAX®, Gatorade® or Powerade, Fleets® Phosphate Enema, Ensure Clear®
Pick up the antibiotics neomycin and metronidazole. Prescriptions for these will be sent to your preferred pharmacy.
Day Before Surgery
Follow the schedule on your checklist for completing your bowel prep. Clear your schedule of other duties for the day.
Clear Liquids
Drink only clear liquids all day. Nothing solid by mouth.
Bisacodyl
Take your bisacodyl tablets in the morning. Do not chew or crush. If you take morning medicine, it is okay to take them with the bisacodyl.
Other Medicines
If you take scheduled medicines, take them at least 1 hour or more before or after drinking the prep.
Bowel Prep
Follow your ERAS Bowel Prep Checklist. You will start drinking the prep around noon (12 PM). You may feel some cramps in your lower abdomen while drinking the MiraLAX.
Antibiotics
Take your antibiotics today if needed. Follow the schedule on your ERAS Bowel Prep Checklist not the instructions on the pill bottles. Call if you have questions. A dose of antibiotics is usually 3 tablets of metronidazole and 2 tablets of neomycin.
Ensure Clear®
Drink 3 bottles of Ensure Clear® starting 1-2 hours after you finish drinking the prep. If you are taking antibiotics as part of the prep, you may take them with Ensure Clear®. Save the 4th bottle of Ensure Clear® for the morning of surgery.
Skin Prep
Before bed, you will take your first shower using Hibiclens® medicated wash.
The Morning of Surgery
Follow the schedule on your ERAS Bowel Prep Checklist and follow the details the nurse from First Day Surgery gave you. If you can have clear liquids until 2 hours before the surgery, refer to the clear liquids list.
Medicines
Take approved medicines.
Ensure Clear®
Drink the 4th bottle of Ensure Clear® (10 oz.) 4 hours before surgery.
Fleets® Enema
Give yourself a Fleets® enema at least one hour before you leave for the hospital.
Skin Prep
Take shower #2 using Hibiclens® medicated wash.
When to Call
Please call if you have:
Questions about your prep instructions
Steady stomach pain
Light-headedness or dizziness
No bowel movements
Problems drinking the prep
Who to Call
Digestive Health Center
608-242-2800 or 1-855-342-9900
After hours, holidays and weekends ask for the doctor on call.