GI Endoscopy & Colonoscopy Procedure Preps

Preparing for Your GI Procedure

Please Note: Patient safety is our highest priority and many safety measures adopted amidst COVID-19 remain in place. However, pre-procedure testing is no longer required for asymptomatic patients. We have recently updated our pre-procedure medication guidance for certain medications, called GLP-1s, for diabetes or weight loss. Please review the medication guidance sheet for detailed instructions on adjustments ahead of your procedure.

When you schedule a GI procedure, you will receive detailed instructions from our care team explaining how to properly prepare for your procedure. It is important to follow the series of instructions as this preparation, or 'prep' course, helps to clean your digestive system in order to get the best results. Any residue may impact the effectiveness of your GI procedure, and the whole process may need to be repeated

The instructions for colonoscopy prep and endoscopy prep can also be downloaded below, however please be sure to follow the prep that was discussed when you scheduled your appointment. These instructions differ and some preps are not appropriate for all patients. If you are unsure of which prep is best for you or need to reschedule or change your appointment, please contact us at 617-754-8888. Additional information can be found below in our 'On the day of your procedure' section or on our FAQs page.

Watch a short video about preparing for a colonoscopy.

Standard Colonoscopy Prep

All of the colonoscopy prep instructions below feature a short low residue diet, one day on clear liquids, and a prep solution required to drink the night before your procedure.

Clenpiq

Suprep

Nulytely

MoviPrep

Sutab

Miralax

Double/Extended Colonoscopy Preps

Double or extended colonoscopy preps are intended for patients with chronic constipation or who have had trouble prepping for procedures in the past. These preps involve a longer low residue diet, two days on the clear liquid, and two days of drinking prep solution. Again, please only complete the double prep course if instructed by our care team.

Double Clenpiq

Double Suprep

Double Nulytely

Double MoviPrep

Double Sutab

English

Double Miralax

Upper Endoscopy (EGD) Prep

An upper endoscopy (or EGD) is a procedure that allows your doctor to examine your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (part of your small intestine) in order to diagnose and treat upper GI tract diseases. This is an outpatient procedure performed under sedation and though it doesn’t require a bowel prep like a colonoscopy, there are still some instructions you should follow before your appointment.

Other GI Procedures

On the Day of Your Procedure

Arranging a Ride Home Before the Day of Your Test

It is extremely important that you make arrangements to have a family member, friend, or responsible adult available to take you home after your procedure. This person must come and get you in the procedure area of the GI unit when you are ready for discharge. If your procedure is at our Boston Campus, there is free 20 minute parking for your ride to park their car and come up to the unit.

You May Not Drive Yourself Home After the Test

If you take a cab, use a ride share app, or the MBTA RIDE program, someone (family member/friend/responsible adult) must ride home with you (in addition to the driver). This is a policy that is strictly enforced for your safety. No exceptions are made unless you plan to undergo the procedure without sedation. If you wish to do this, you should discuss it with your doctor in advance. NOTE: In the event that you have trouble finding a responsible adult to accompany you home, you may try your local Council on Aging/Senior Center. Many local cities and towns run a volunteer medical escort program. You can call your local office to find out if this is available in your area. Advanced notice is always appreciated.

More Medications Tips and Information

On the morning of your procedure, you can take any approved daily medications with a small sip of water.
If you take a blood-thinning medication or anticoagulant, special instructions may apply. Please call 617-754-8888 if you have not heard from one of our GI nurses about these medications.
If you have diabetes, preparing for a procedure may involve some temporary changes in your diet. Please contact the doctor who manages your diabetes for advice regarding any changes that are needed in your diabetes medicine the day before and the day of your test. If you have an insulin pump, please discuss management with your diabetes doctor before your procedure.
If you take aspirin, NSAIDs, or other pain medications, you may take them as usual. It is not necessary to stop them prior to your procedure.
If you are taking iron or a supplement that includes iron, please stop taking it for seven days before your colonoscopy.
If you take certain medications, called GLP-1s, for diabetes or weight loss, you will need to stop taking that medication in advance of your procedure, with the guidance of your prescriber. Please review our list of medications and detailed instructions.

Pregnancy

If you may be pregnant, please consult your primary care or OB/GYN doctor prior to your appointment to discuss optimal timing for your GI procedure, and the best approach to anesthesia and sedation.

What to Expect

You should arrive one hour before your procedure unless told otherwise. There is on-site parking and a 15 minute drop-off zone. This map will help you to navigate the medical center. When arriving to our procedure unit, you will be greeted by a team member who will help you check-in and direct you to our waiting area. Someone from our team will then escort you to the admitting area, where a nurse will review your medications and medical history. If you are receiving MAC anesthesia for this procedure, you will also be visited by a member of the anesthesia team. An IV will be placed in your arm and our team will transport you to the procedure room. Before sedation or anesthesia is administered, you will speak to the physician about the procedure and sign consent forms agreeing to undergo the procedure. Sedation or anesthesia will then be administered, which will take effect within a few minutes, and the procedure will be performed. Following the procedure, you will rest while recovering from sedation before heading home. As you cannot leave alone, your designated family member, friend, or responsible adult will take you home once our team discharges you.

Delays

Because medical procedures do not always go according to schedule, there may be unexpected delays on the day of your procedure. We thank you in advance for your understanding.

Recovering from Sedation

Most patients receive sedatives for procedures. As you recover from the sedatives, you should not go back to work or school and you should not make important decisions. If you normally care for children or disabled relatives, get help with these responsibilities on the day of your test. You may resume all activities the next day unless otherwise discussed with your physician.

Going Home

You will stay in our recovery area for about ½ hour after your procedure. A nurse will monitor your recovery and go over your discharge instructions with you.

Music

Feel free to bring a music device with ear buds to use during the procedure.

Insurance Referrals

Please make sure you have obtained an insurance referral/authorization for your procedure if one is required by your insurance company. If you have any questions about this please call our office or the customer service number on your insurance card.