Does anyone know if you can get a colonoscopy with the band? What about the prep for the procedure?

I have never heard of having to have a coloscopy. I do know my doctor wants us to have an EGD which is the same them except they go down your throat, to check for a hernia.

I don't need the colonoscopy for the band, I am due to have one routinely. I was just wondering if the prep would be a problem with all the drinking.

Yes, you can have a colonoscopy. There are 3 preps that I know of. Fleets Phospha Soda, Golightly and Miralax. Of those three I would highly suggest the Miralax prep. You would take a whole bottle of Miralax mixed in 64oz of Gatorade or Crystal Light. The fleets phospha soda and Golightly are hard to drink and many people find that they throw up or wretch when drinking it which could be hard on your band.

Depending on where you are in the band process, drinking shouldn't be a problem. Except for some immediately post op who are severly swollen, and some who may have too much restriction, liquid goes through the stoma just fine. That's one reason we're not supposed to drink with meals; it can have the effect of washing food through too quickly and negating the effect of satiety. As long as your prep isn't carbonated, use whatever your doc recommends and go cat go!

Sharon:

I had a colonoscopy after being banded for almost a year. I drank the nasty stuff and managed to keep it down and it "went thru" my system. I recommend that you ask your doctor for the pill if possible. You'll still have to drink alot, but at least you can just drink clear Fluid instead of that horrible tasting stuff.

Best wishes on your colonoscopy. The prep is so much worse than the actual procedure. Have a good nap.

Sue

I would recommend the pill prep. That is much easier to deal with. You still drink a lot, but not that gallon of gross stuff. If you have a problem taking pills, it might be possible to split them in half (they aren't that big).

I would recommend the pill prep. That is much easier to deal with. You still drink a lot, but not that gallon of gross stuff. If you have a problem taking pills, it might be possible to split them in half (they aren't that big).

yep - pill is the only way to go. i have to get a colonoscopy yrly (crohns disease) & i can't imagine doing that "gross drink" post band - gagging just thinking about it.

I know the pills are supposed to be much better than the liquid stuff, but are they small enough for the band. By the time I need a colonoscopy, I shouldn't have much if any fill in my band. Even though I'm a few years away from needing the test, this has crossed my mind.

Have you taken the pills, since you were banded, luluc? Did you have to crush them or anything? ~Thanks

I am a colon cancer survivor (2001) and almost one year bandster. Before getting the band I spoke to the surgeon. He stated that they can unfill me the next time I need a colonoscopy (2010) and then refill me when it is done. I strongly suggest you speak both to your lap band surgeon and the gastroenterologist about this. They may need to consult in order to have you do the best prep.

Now I have a very sluggish digestive system. I go on a clear liquid diet for three days prior to the prep.

Have you taken the pills, since you were banded, luluc? Did you have to crush them or anything? ~Thanks

yes - back in may. they are the size of a tylenol caplet & had i no problem & haven't had issues w/pills of any kind since being banded.

some say the pill is not as effective as the liquid "cocktail" in clearing the bowel - but i've done both, and the pill is FAR better than 2 days in the loo~

prior to being banded i was required clearance from my gastro, my lapband dr is well aware of my crohns and i'm scheduled next wk for another endo to make sure all is well being a yr out.

Talk with your doctors. A combination of diet and pills can work. I have a sluggish system. I am on clear liquids for three or four days. I take an OTC laxative the first and second night, followed by the pills. It works for me, but again talk with your doctors.

yes - back in may. they are the size of a tylenol caplet & had i no problem & haven't had issues w/pills of any kind since being banded.

some say the pill is not as effective as the liquid "cocktail" in clearing the bowel - but i've done both, and the pill is FAR better than 2 days in the loo~

prior to being banded i was required clearance from my gastro, my lapband dr is well aware of my crohns and i'm scheduled next wk for another endo to make sure all is well being a yr out.

That's great to know luluc. I know from family members who are have used the both the liquid and the pills, that they strongly recommend the pills. I'm glad to know that when time comes for me, that I have the option, with the approval of my doctor.

Abby thanks for your advice too. It's very helpful.

yep - pill is the only way to go. i have to get a colonoscopy yrly (crohns disease) & i can't imagine doing that "gross drink" post band - gagging just thinking about it.

Hi, Do you remember the name of the pill prep? I went for a pre-consult and even though I told the doctor I was banded, he gave me a prescription for HalfLytely. My procedure isn't scheduled until April so I have time. I also have an appt with my lapband doctor in March so I will ask him, too.

Do you remember what your prep is like?

Thanks!

Hi, Do you remember the name of the pill prep? I went for a pre-consult and even though I told the doctor I was banded, he gave me a prescription for HalfLytely. My procedure isn't scheduled until April so I have time. I also have an appt with my lapband doctor in March so I will ask him, too.

Do you remember what your prep is like?

Thanks!

had to call my dr to find out the pill name this am - i had forgotten....osmoprep is what i use. the results are the same (TMI - i know) but i had such gagging going w/the drinks. the pill is much more manageable, yet as slim says - you do need to drink lots of fluids - but they can be just plain Water...

I had a fill on Feb 11th and a colonoscopy on Feb 12th. I drank the citroma. . .sip, sip, sip, and forced as much Fluid as I could.

It was a challenge and this fill has proved to be my 2nd most trying of them all. I've done more vomiting this go round than all of them put together but I'm on the other side of it and I'm sure the fact that I am having to run everything through "like water" due to the colonsc. result (fissure through the musculature. . .PAIN and much bleeding for months leading up to test) I am taking alot of milk of magnesia and I'm surviving now!

My band is good and tight, just ALMOST too tight and the colonoscopy was no problem. . . mind over matter when you drink that stuff. My dr. had me do 1/2 a bottle of the mag citrate am and half pm and a fair amount of Water. . .like 30-60 oz over the course of the day, not easy, and not sure I got all the water in, but I got it done!

Hope that helps!

MFG

banded 7/29/08, total loss so far 75 lbs. 75 to go!