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Prep Instructions

Your step-by-step preparation guide

How well you prep affects what your doctor can see. A clean colon means a better exam, fewer missed polyps, and less chance of needing to repeat the procedure.

My Procedure Countdown

Enter your procedure date to get a personalized prep timeline

Enter your procedure date above to see your personalized prep timeline

7 days before

One week out

One week out checklist

0/5
3 days before

Three days out

Three days out checklist

0/2
1 day before

The day before

The day before checklist

0/5
Morning of

Procedure day

Procedure day checklist

0/6

Foods you can and cannot eat — starting 1 week before

Do NOT eat

  • Whole grain breads with visible grains, seeds, or nuts
  • Fibre supplements (e.g. Metamucil, Benefibre)
  • Nuts (all) and seeds (all)
  • Rice (all types), quinoa, couscous, congee
  • Beans (all) and lentils (all)
  • Berries (all), berry smoothies, and jams with seeds
  • Corn, popcorn, oats, oatmeal, granola
  • Tomatoes and cucumber (unless all seeds are removed)

OK to eat

  • White or brown bread with no visible grains, seeds, or nuts
  • Dairy products: cheese, yogurt, ice cream
  • Eggs, tofu, fish, seafood, meat (all types)
  • Roti, naan, pita, pasta, noodles (all types)
  • Smooth nut butters, hummus, tzatziki
  • Seedless jams and jellies
  • Fruits: apples, bananas, mango, oranges, peaches, pears, grapefruit, nectarines, seedless grapes and watermelon
  • Vegetables: spinach, kale, cauliflower, broccoli, potatoes, yams, carrots, peas, green beans, lettuce, brussels sprouts, bell peppers (seeds removed)

What counts as a clear liquid?

OK to have

  • Water
  • Clear broth (chicken, beef, vegetable)
  • Apple juice (no pulp)
  • White grape juice
  • White cranberry juice
  • Ginger ale, Sprite, 7-Up
  • Gatorade (green, yellow, or orange only)
  • Black coffee or black/clear tea (no milk or cream)
  • Jell-O (green, yellow, or orange only)
  • Popsicles (not red, blue, or purple)
  • Hard candies

Avoid

  • Milk, cream, or milk alternatives (coconut, almond, soy, cashew milk)
  • Orange juice or any juice with pulp
  • Red, blue, or purple drinks or Jell-O of any kind
  • Alcohol
  • Smoothies or protein shakes
  • Coconut water
  • Anything you cannot see through

How Is My Prep Going?

Use this visual guide to check if your prep solution is working

Your prep should look like Score 2 or 3 (clear to slightly cloudy yellow) before your procedure. If your output is still dark or has solid material, continue drinking clear fluids.

Remember: the better your prep, the more your doctor can see. Good prep = better protection.

Medications to talk to your doctor's office about

Important: Important: Always confirm medication changes with your doctor. Never stop or change medications on your own.

Blood thinners (e.g. Warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto)

Talk with your doctor's office about exactly when to stop — timing is specific to you and your medication

Diabetes medications (e.g. insulin, metformin)

You may need to adjust your dose since you will be fasting — check with your doctor's office

Iron pills

Stop 7 days before your procedure

Aspirin 81 mg ("baby aspirin")

Usually OK to continue taking as normal. If you take a higher dose of aspirin, check with your doctor's office

Any other medications or supplements

If you take anything not listed here, check with your doctor's office before your procedure — do not assume it is safe to continue

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