Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPreparingTypes of EndoscopyWhat to Expect From the ProcedureDay-of PrepAfterwards
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Preparing
Types of Endoscopy
What to Expect From the Procedure
Day-of Prep
Afterwards
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Preparing for an Endoscopy
Whether you need a colonoscopy or an upper GI endoscopy, you’ll need to plan ahead for the test. Remember, making the necessary changes the week before the endoscopy test helps ensure the procedure is safe and effective.
Because there aredifferent types of endoscopy procedures, your endoscopy prep will change based on whether you’re having an upper GI endoscopy or a colonoscopy. Here’s what you’ll need to do.
The Week Before the Procedure
In the week before any type of endoscopy procedure, you should confirm your appointment and do the following:
Other than those medications listed above, continue taking your medications as normal.As always, it’s important to work closely with your doctor whenever you’re stopping or adjusting medications. If you have any questions about stopping or adjusting medications, call your medical team.
This is also a good time to check with your medical center about whether you need to take a COVID test before having your procedure.
Three Days Before the Procedure
If you’re having an upper GI endoscopy, you don’t need to make any changes three days before your procedure. But if you’re having a colonoscopy, this is when you’ll start changing your diet. The goal is to avoid too much fiber and eat “low residue” foods that clear from the colon quickly.You should also make sure that you have your bowel prep, a drink that you’ll take the day before your colonoscopy.
During this phase of endoscopy prep, you should also avoid foods or drinks with red, purple, or blue dye.
Avoid high-fiber foods including:
Instead, eat lower-fiber foods, including:
The Day Before the Procedure
The day before the procedure is the most drastic part of endoscopy prep. This is when you’ll limit your food and fluid intake. The specifics vary depending on whether you’re having an upper GI endoscopy or a colonoscopy.
For an upper endoscopy, you’ll need to make changes eight hours before your appointment. At that point, you should:
For a colonoscopy, you’ll have to do more prep the day before, or a full 24 hours before your procedure. The day before a colonoscopy you should:
What Is the Colonoscopy Drink?For a colonoscopy to be effective, your colon should be as empty as possible. Eating a low-fiber diet for three days helps clear the colon. The final step is taking a bowel prep medication, sometimes called “the drink” before a colonoscopy.This is an over-the-counter or prescription laxative. It’s meant to induce diarrhea that will ensure your colon is clear for the procedure. Usually, you take one dose of the medication the night before your colonoscopy, and another six to eight hours before your procedure. That can vary depending on the medication, however, so you should read the instructions that come with your specific variety of bowel prep.Learn more about colonoscopy prep, including how to monitor your poop color, here.
What Is the Colonoscopy Drink?
For a colonoscopy to be effective, your colon should be as empty as possible. Eating a low-fiber diet for three days helps clear the colon. The final step is taking a bowel prep medication, sometimes called “the drink” before a colonoscopy.This is an over-the-counter or prescription laxative. It’s meant to induce diarrhea that will ensure your colon is clear for the procedure. Usually, you take one dose of the medication the night before your colonoscopy, and another six to eight hours before your procedure. That can vary depending on the medication, however, so you should read the instructions that come with your specific variety of bowel prep.Learn more about colonoscopy prep, including how to monitor your poop color, here.
For a colonoscopy to be effective, your colon should be as empty as possible. Eating a low-fiber diet for three days helps clear the colon. The final step is taking a bowel prep medication, sometimes called “the drink” before a colonoscopy.
This is an over-the-counter or prescription laxative. It’s meant to induce diarrhea that will ensure your colon is clear for the procedure. Usually, you take one dose of the medication the night before your colonoscopy, and another six to eight hours before your procedure. That can vary depending on the medication, however, so you should read the instructions that come with your specific variety of bowel prep.Learn more about colonoscopy prep, including how to monitor your poop color, here.
The Day of the Procedure
The day of your procedure, you should follow these instructions.
For an upper endoscopy:
For a colonoscopy, follow these steps:
When Should You Stop Drinking Clear Liquids?The advice for when to stop drinking clear liquids varies somewhat. Ask your doctor for their specific recommendation and follow that.
When Should You Stop Drinking Clear Liquids?
The advice for when to stop drinking clear liquids varies somewhat. Ask your doctor for their specific recommendation and follow that.
Prep Differences Between Types of Endoscopy
Endoscopy prep is most intensive for an upper GI endoscopy or a colonoscopy. However, there are many differenttypes of endoscopy, including those in which the camera is inserted through your genitals, or through a small opening in your skin. Always ask your doctor about the prep for your specific procedure.
After an endoscopy, you’ll be groggy from sedation. Whether you have an upper GI endoscopy or a colonoscopy, you should plan to take it easy for 24 hours after the procedure. Skip the gym and limit work if possible.
After a GI endoscopy, your throat might feel sore or scratchy from having the camera inserted. Your voice might sound hoarse too. Reach out to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Duringcolonoscopy recovery, you might experience some discomfort, including:
Seeing some blood in your stool after a colonoscopy is normal. There’s also an increased risk of bleeding, so you should stay within two hours of a hospital for two weeks following your colonoscopy. Don’t travel outside the U.S. during that time in case you have unexpected complications.
What Prep Happens the Day of the Procedure?
When you get to the hospital or medical center the day of your colonoscopy or endoscopy, you’ll check in. The staff will then help you through these steps:
What to Expect After the Endoscopy Procedure
After your procedure, your doctor may tell you a bit about the results. If you had to have tissue samples removed during the procedure, you’ll get those results later.
It’s best to take it easy for a full day after an endoscopy. Your body may need to recover from anesthesia, not to mention the stress of endoscopy prep and worrying about the procedure. You should feel mostly like yourself within three days or so.
Summary
Endoscopy prep involves changing your diet, adjusting your medications (in many cases), and drinking a laxative drink if you’re getting a colonoscopy. You’ll also need to arrange for someone to help you get home after the procedure. That might seem like a lot. However, endoscopies can be an important part of taking charge of your health. Preparing ahead of time ensures your doctor can get all the information they need during the procedure.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UCLA Health.Colonoscopy prep instructions.University of Michigan Health.Upper endoscopy (EGD) prep instructions.Kaiser Permanente.Preparing for your colonoscopy.Stanford Medicine.Preparing for an upper endoscopy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Colonoscopy.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UCLA Health.Colonoscopy prep instructions.University of Michigan Health.Upper endoscopy (EGD) prep instructions.Kaiser Permanente.Preparing for your colonoscopy.Stanford Medicine.Preparing for an upper endoscopy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Colonoscopy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
UCLA Health.Colonoscopy prep instructions.University of Michigan Health.Upper endoscopy (EGD) prep instructions.Kaiser Permanente.Preparing for your colonoscopy.Stanford Medicine.Preparing for an upper endoscopy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Colonoscopy.
UCLA Health.Colonoscopy prep instructions.
University of Michigan Health.Upper endoscopy (EGD) prep instructions.
Kaiser Permanente.Preparing for your colonoscopy.
Stanford Medicine.Preparing for an upper endoscopy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Colonoscopy.
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