Please read at least 1 week before your procedure. We’ve provided a Prep Checklist on the last page to help you plan your prep. Procedure may be cancelled if instructions are not followed. For a printable version of your bowel prep instructions and checklist click on download & print.
Pouch Endoscopy
A pouch endoscopy is a test to look at the lining of your ileo-anal pouch. The doctor will insert a flexible tube into your anus to look for inflammation, or abnormal growth or tissues. If abnormal tissue is seen, the doctor may remove a sample for testing.
3 Days Before Test
Start a Low Fiber Diet
See “Getting Ready for Your GI Procedure” handout for more information.
Pick up Bowel Prep
You will need to buy the bowel prep supplies before the procedure. You can buy this at a local drugstore. No prescription is needed.
MiraLax (or generic 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.)
For some patients, the doctor may want you to do an enema as part of your bowel prep. Do not buy this unless instructed.
Pick up Bowel Prep
You will need to buy the bowel prep supplies before the procedure. You can buy this at a local drugstore. No prescription is needed.
MiraLax (or generic 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.)
For some patients, the doctor may want you to do an enema as part of your bowel prep. Do not buy this unless instructed.
1 Day Before Test
Diet
At 12pm (noon) start clear liquid diet. No solid food.
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.
Bowel Prep
In the early afternoon, mix the MiraLax® with 56- 64 ounces of chilled Gatorade. If you are diabetic, use Pedialyte.
Start drinking the prep at 6 pm. Drink one 8-ounce glass of this mixture every 15 minutes until one half is gone. For most people with pouches, this should be enough to make your stool “clear” (so it will be a yellow liquid without many solid flecks) and looks more like urine.
If your stool is still not clear, drink one 8-ounce glass of the mixed solution every 15 minutes until your stool is clear.
Keep drinking clear liquids so you do not get dehydrated. After you are done, you can have only a clear liquid diet.
Test Day
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).
Diet
Continue clear liquid diet (no red or purple). No solid food.
Stop drinking everything, even water, 4 hours before you arrive.
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 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 your normal.
If you stopped blood thinning medicine before your test, ask when it can be restarted.
If you have also had a rectal dilation, you may notice a small amount of rectal bleeding. This is normal. If you are still bleeding after 48 hours, please contact your doctor.
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.
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
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 and vitamins with iron 5 days before your test.
3 Days Before Test
Start a low fiber diet.
Pick up bowel prep at local drugstore:
MiraLax (or generic 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.)
1 Day Before Test
At 12 pm (noon) start clear liquid diet. No solid foods.
Mix MiraLax® with 56-64oz of Gatorade. Place in refrigerator.
Take your daily medicines except those you were told to stop. Take at least one hour before or one hour after drinking your prep.
Start drinking prep at 6 pm
Drink one 8-ounce glass of the total mixture every 15 minutes until stool is clear.
Keep drinking clear liquids so you do not get dehydrated.
Day of Test
Stop all liquids (even water) 4 hours before arrival.
If you need to take medicine during the 4 hours before your test, drink no more than 1/2 cup of water (4 ounces).
Call if you are still passing solid or brown stools or your bowels have not started to empty.