You are scheduled for a GI (gastrointestinal) procedure at UW Health. Read this entire document at least 1 week before your test. Also, call your primary care provider to discuss your current medicines and whether you need to adjust them before this test.
1 Week Before Test
Arrange Transportation
Due to the sedation medicines, you must have a responsible adult drive you home. We also suggest that you are observed for at least 6 hours after discharge.
Health Changes
Please tell us about any major health changes, illnesses, or recent hospital stays you have had since you scheduled your test. If at any time you have symptoms of illness (cough, stuffy nose, sore throat, fever, body aches, chills), please call the procedure center to reschedule your test. You should not have this test while ill.
Blood Thinning Medicines
You must call the doctor who prescribes this medicine to see if you need to stop or adjust your medicine before your test. That doctor will tell you how to safely do this. Common blood thinning medicines are prasugrel (Effient), warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), ticagrelor (Brilinta), dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto) and apixaban (Eliquis).
If your doctor tells you not to stop your medicine, please call the procedure center where you are scheduled.
Diabetes and Weight Loss Medicines
You must call the doctor who prescribes this medicine to adjust your medicine before your test. That doctor will tell you how to safely do this.
If your doctor tells you not to stop your medicine, please call the procedure center where you are scheduled.
Iron, Multivitamins with Iron and Fish Oil
Stop taking these 5 days before your test. (You do not need to contact your doctor first).
Constipation
You may need extra prep if you are often constipated or if you have had problems prepping before. Please call to talk about this in more detail.
Diet Guidelines
If you have been told to follow a low fiber diet or clear liquid diet before your test, see below.
Low Fiber Diet
Certain foods may slow your digestion. Click the link to learn more about a low fiber diet. https://patient.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/381
Stop the foods and medicines listed below.
Corn, popcorn, seeds or nuts. Uncooked vegetables, beans and lentils, potato skins
Fruits with skins or seeds
Whole grain breads, granola or high fiber cereals
Fiber supplements (like Metamucil®, Citrucel®, or Benefiber®)
Anti-diarrhea medicines (like Kaopectate®, Lomotil®, Pepto-Bismol® and Imodium® or loperamide)
Clear Liquid Diet
Water, clear sports drinks like Gatorade®
Broth
Black coffee, tea, soda
Apple juice
Jell-O®
No creamers, milks or other dairy products
No red or purple liquids or Jell-O
No solid food
No pulp
What to Expect on Procedure Day
What to Bring
CPAP or BiPAP and any inhalers that you use
Eyeglass or contact lens case, denture cup
Ostomy supplies
Wear comfortable clothing
Phone number for your driver
Do not bring:
Jewelry
Money
Other valuables
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 your driver is 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 bowel habits to return to normal.
If you stopped blood thinning medicine before your test, ask when you can restart it.
When to Call
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
Digestive Health Center
(608) 890-5010
UW Health Ambulatory Procedure Center
(608) 263-8094
Meriter/Unity Point
(608) 417-6389
Call your prescribing provider to discuss changes to your medicines before this test.