Read this entire document at least 1 week before your test.
Test Day
Diet
After midnight start clear liquid diet (no red or purple). No solid foods.
See “Getting Ready for Your GI Procedure” handout for more information.
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.
Your provider may request for you to complete 1-2 enemas after you arrive for your procedure. This will depend on your surgical history and visualization desired (there is no bowel prep to drink for this procedure).
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.
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
(If you need help finding a ride to and from your test)
(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