Has anyone had a colonoscopy after VSG? I've never had a colonoscopy, and my day is coming. The prep after surgery--I can't imagine it. Totally gross, I get, but can it be done? How?

Oh boy. I know what you mean. I dont know that I could drink that huge container of stuff now. I would definately be getting my surgeon and my gastro together to work that out.

I am pre-op, but I will tell you I have had my concerns as I have to have a colonscopy every 2 years due to family history and have been doing them for the last 8 years. The prep has come a long way, and both my GI doc and my VSG doc said that it is not a problem as long as I am healed and well post surgery. It will probably mean a day or more of Clear liquids prior but it can be done and since it isnt a gastri by-pass the procedure is the same on the GI docs part.

Hope that gives you a little comfort.

I'm due up for one next month, but I'll be a month and a half out of surgery

I am a nurse and this is my area of expertise! How far out are you? I can drink liquids now just like I did pre-op but it look 5-6 months to get there. You should be ok as long you are not in the early stages! If you cant do the prep you might have to postpone it if you can. Is your colonoscopy routine or diagnostic?

Couldn't do the cleanse before surgery--fainted and, well, a mess. I'm still pre- surgery, debating about whether to try again before surgery or wait until after. I've never had one in my life...so, pretty scared here.

what did you faint from?

I was scheduled for the first colonoscopy of my life. Just routine. I drank stuff called MoviPrep. I think it was too strong for me. I can't say I got a headache, but I had these terrible shooting pains in my head. Then fainted. Then ate something and called to cancel.

I'm not inclined to try again. Just wondering what this is like after--easier, tougher, smaller dose?

I am pre-op' date=' but I will tell you I have had my concerns as I have to have a colonscopy every 2 years due to family history and have been doing them for the last 8 years. The prep has come a long way, and both my GI doc and my VSG doc said that it is not a problem as long as I am healed and well post surgery. It will probably mean a day or more of clear liquids prior but it can be done and since it isnt a gastri by-pass the procedure is the same on the GI docs part.

Hope that gives you a little comfort.[/quote']

Holy cow! Every 2 yrs? That's pretty extreme. You should check American cancer society guidelines. We see family history PTs every 5 yrs. unless you have familial traits like HPNCC or something seems like alot of testing. As for the prep, we have a prep that's only 64 oz Gatorade, split into 2 doses so 32 oz over 2 hrs, repeat 5 hrs before exam. Each 32 oz Gatorade has Miralax mixed in to it. I think like 1/2 of the big container. Anyway it might be easier than the big gallon of colyte.

I go every 2 years due to my family history, my mother was diagnosed and treated for Stage IV colon cancer (it was very aggressive and she showed no symptoms), which was found in a routine checkup by her PCP. She is not the only immediate family member with a cancer diagnosis. So my GI doc, based on my family history and risk factors, advised to go every 2 years. For me the peace of mind it provides it is not a big deal. The earlier it is caught the better the survival rate.

I go every 2 years due to my family history' date=' my mother was diagnosed and treated for Stage IV colon cancer (it was very aggressive and she showed no symptoms), which was found in a routine checkup by her PCP. She is not the only immediate family member with a cancer diagnosis. So my GI doc, based on my family history and risk factors, advised to go every 2 years. For me the peace of mind it provides it is not a big deal. The earlier it is caught the better the survival rate.[/quote']

Yeah unfortunately colon cancer rarely shows symptoms until its very advanced which is why screening is so important. As far as every 2 yrs, if its what you want for peace of mind great. Do it. If they are so afraid of your family history have you had genetics testing done? I know this is totally OT but I've seen many many private docs advocating screening more often only because of being able to charge more instead of actual need. Hate to see anybody have to go through that gawd awful prep more than they have to lol.

Yeah unfortunately colon cancer rarely shows symptoms until its very advanced which is why screening is so important. As far as every 2 yrs, if its what you want for peace of mind great. Do it. If they are so afraid of your family history have you had genetics testing done? I know this is totally OT but I've seen many many private docs advocating screening more often only because of being able to charge more instead of actual need. Hate to see anybody have to go through that gawd awful prep more than they have to lol.

I have had genetic testing, which does not show any predispotition to cancer, however there is no guarantee (nice double talk by the doctors). However, due to my obesity and the fact that my mother had a colonoscopy less than 6 mos to the cancer being detected with NO polyps or signs of abnormalities, basically given a clean bill of health, every 2 yrs is within reason for my pre-screening. And in relation, the prep is nothing compared to chemo. I am sure once I get my BMI within normal range I can go to every 5 yrs, at least this is the plan.

I have had genetic testing' date=' which does not show any predispotition to cancer, however there is no guarantee (nice double talk by the doctors). However, due to my obesity and the fact that my mother had a colonoscopy less than 6 mos to the cancer being detected with NO polyps or signs of abnormalities, basically given a clean bill of health, every 2 yrs is within reason for my pre-screening. And in relation, the prep is nothing compared to chemo. I am sure once I get my BMI within normal range I can go to every 5 yrs, at least this is the plan.[/quote']

Glad to hear genetics didn't show anything. I wasn't trying to get into your business so I apologize if I seemed nosy. I just deal with lots of people who get different screening intervals from outside kaiser (where I work) and have to talk to them. Anyway, your moms story is very difficult to hear. We all think nothing bad will happen if we get out testing done as ordered but there's that small small percentage of people who are going to fall into that have a very fast growing cancer.