Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Any help out there about the colonoscopy prep. I don't think I can drink the prep stuff so just wondering if anyone has any suggestions?:thumbup:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I didn't like the taste of that stuff either. I didn't have to drink the whole bottle. Check with your Dr. and see if they have something else available.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i didn't have to do anything like that at all. thank goodness!!! :thumbup:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had to drink that stuff....No fun. But for excitement I had to give myself an enema. This is physically impossible and being single, was a step i could not do. LOL

Good Luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Castor Oil.. One shot glass full and your good. I have had multiple colonoscopies in the past ( None since the band) but I had to do the oil bowel prep for the band surgery. It was the easiest thing on my tummy and I already have a touchy one at that. The HalfLytely® and Bisacodyl Tablets wrecked my tummy and the Miralax

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Its hard to tell because they're probably different brand names, but I've had 2 colonoscopies in the past month - unfortunately the first discovered a large malignant tumour, sigh.

But anyway, prognosis good so lets not dwell on that, lets talk about the joys of bowel prep!

The first one, I had to do 3 sachets of picolax. That was easy as. It was effervescent, yes, and difficult to get past a band, but you're allowed to sip it, and had to take a sachet once every 2 or 3 hours, so it was very very doable. It tastes like that saline stuff we used to drink as kids. It wasnt too violent, it resulted in 3 totally liquid bowel motions for me, a couple of much smaller clear ones and two or three false alarms, was all finished by the next morning and ready for the colonoscopy.

The second time a week later, I had the Picolax and a sachet of colonlytely - that stuff is much more difficult. It makes up a litre, and its cloudy white. You have to get that entire litre down in the course of an hour, I really struggled with that since it tasted like a bucket of elephant semen (well, what I imagine that would taste like), kind of thick, warm and salty. Ergh. I gagged and fussed and carried on like a baby over that one but I did it. I used a straw and got it right into the back of my mouth, to try not to taste it, and I just worked on it for an hour. Again, the result was not too violent.

At no time was I required to skull anything, I was able to sip slowly. Also because I have a band, there wasnt a lot of muck in my system to start with, plus you have to to clears for about 12 hours before hand and a band makes that a lot easier too.

Its really not too scary, or too difficult to do.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had one a few years ago and had to drink 2 bottles of gatorade mixed with the medicine over 2 hours... and I kept the first bottle and a half down. Cleaned everything out that's for sure!

Also, I don't want to scare you but talk to them before you go in and ask what kind of sedation you'll have... they put me under a twilight sedation where you're not fully out but you're not supposed to remember anything... and it didn't work. I felt everything and was very vocal during the procedure and they ignored me thinking I was in that half sleep state. I was NOT pleased, it was not pleasent, and they heard about it big time when it was over. If they aren't putting you out then make sure you have a code word to say so they know you're actually awake and aware... you do not want the experience I had.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×