Colonoscopy timing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My doctor only does colonoscopies between 2-5pm. Mine is currently scheduled for 4. The scheduler said that meant I cannot eat or drink anything that whole day before the procedure, which feels like a very long time without any liquids. I know there is prep involved before the procedure but I’m used to having procedures with sedation scheduled early in the day. I’ve never had a colonoscopy can others please let me know if this is standard? What is the timing of the prep and the waiting?

These people are sadistic.
I had surgery a few months ago that was scheduled for 4pm. It was a semi emergency so I wasn't going to try and get a better time of day. I had to take what I could get.

They said no food after midnight. That is BS. The nurse didn't understand the math (subtracting 8 hours or so from my 4pm procedure and she didn't care that I had acid reflux)
Well she's an idiot because the person being operated on at 6am only fasted for 6 hours. Why would me fasting for 6 hours be any different?

My acid reflux gets bad if my stomach is empty. My dr told me not to listen to the pre op nurse and to eat 8 hours before so I got up and ate something really small and had water at 4am. I didn't eat after that. The anesthesiologist told me the day of surgery that it was more dangerous for me to fast than to eat. I tried to tell her that I explained this to the nurse for the pre op call and was told to do what she said. It is very frustrating.

If I were you, I'd probably find someone who did the procedure earlier in the day. At least have them adjust the prep schedule. If they aren't doing that, do you really think they care about your comfort in general? I'd be out of there.

And I'll tell you another reason they want you to fast earlier is that if they have a cancellation, they want to move you up. You know how often that happens? I think the stats say 5% or less. You know how often your procedure is delayed? Probably about half the time. Then you are really starving.

This is a hot button issue for me because it just exemplified how regimented pre-op staff are and how they really don't give a crap about the patients.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Everyone's body works a little differently. Some people can expedite the prep, other people have slow digestion and need to do a two day prep. Uncomfortable but necessary. Just do whatever your doctor says and get it done. Just plan on 2 days of being out of commission...one for the prep and one for the test/nap/recovery. You'll be glad you did it when it's all finished and you don't need another test for 10 years!