Memory is a funny thing, but I seem to recall that when I had my first one 11 years ago, there was about a five-day window for dietary changes, leading up to the day before the procedure, when you were only to have clear liquids.
I’m getting another one next month, and the prep instructions now say to start only 48 hours away, then liquid only the day before. Has the time been shortened, or is my memory failing?
I don’t recall any 5-day regime, and I’ve done a few of them. That may have been the recommendation of one specific doctor. Have you changed gastroenterologists?
I’ve read of people who prefer to go on a liquid diet several days before the procedure as an alternative to the colon cleansing “prep”.
WITH the “prep” - it is essentially a liquid diet the day before the procedure.
Same clinic, but a different doctor. Could just be a manufactured memory.
It has changed for me since I’ve started them, but I’ve had one at a different clinic each time. I doubt our digestive systems have changed that much over 15 years, so they may have improved the process. I know they made a drastic improvement to the anesthetic…
I didn’t even know that was an option.
Apologies, but maybe it is not an option. Although I was SURE I read of this, maybe even on these boards, a web search did not turn up anything relevant.
Sigh, the memory goes first…
There are some things you can’t eat starting five days before the procedure – mostly nuts and seeds – but you can otherwise eat normally. It’s been the same for all my procedures.
Things get more strict as it procedure gets nearer. The day before you’re only down to clear liquids.
So you’re saying you might be full of shit?
Not after the prep!
All of my colonoscopies were done with a suggestion to eat very light, and liquid if possible the day leading up to The Great Blowout so there’s less bulk to be washed through. In theory, that makes the cleanup slightly more comfortable.
That was the direction to me 18 months ago.
I just endured the indignity of one yesterday.
The dietary restrictions on the one I had 10-ish years ago v. the one I had yesterday did differ greatly, but not in the same was as what you recall.
I remember very few (any?) dietary restrictions from 10 years ago. The cleanse was more… enthusiastic.
For the one I just had, it was about 3 days of dietary restrictions eliminating pretty much everything I eat regularly: Nuts, seeds, whole grains, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, no cooked cruciferous veggies or even spinach! Potatoes were ok, but only peeled. Soft meat only, meaning super well cooked. Nothing tough or gristly. Smooth peanut butter ok, chunky not ok.
Anyway, you get the idea. Twenty-four hours prior, no solid foods at all, just clear liquids.
The cleanse was much less exciting.
Personally, I preferred the approach from 10 years ago. Navigating all the dietary restrictions for nearly 3 days was challenging and frankly, unhealthful. So much emphasis on simple carbs and no veggies – ugh.
In short, I think the process varies from doc to doc.
Based on what you’ve said, I think you’ll be happier with your new prep instructions. Good luck with it all!
I had one eight years ago and one three years ago. This was for the normal screening. I wasn’t told about any changes to my diet except for 24 hours before when I had to switch to clear liquids only and then the nasty liquid the night before.
I have my first colonoscopy about three or four years ago (can’t remember) and don’t remember being told to avoid nuts. Why would they advise that? Do they take a long time to leave the digestive system?
I’m certain this is true. I had one recently, and I had a week of dietary restrictions, in which I wasn’t supposed to eat anything containing fiber or anything red. That’s incredibly restrictive. No fresh or dried fruit or vegetables, no whole grains, no potato peels. And yeah, no seeds, nuts, or tough meat.
It was kinda a diet of hamburger on white seedless buns, with no ketchup and no veggies… I don’t think I was supposed to even eat smooth peanut butter, but maybe I was overly cautious about following the instructions.
And my clean-out was only adequate, not good. The doctor had to spend quite a lot of time rinsing away residue. (I had the same stuff for the final cleanout as last time. It didn’t work as well because I’m older, not because that part changed.)
But I have friends who had very different regimens. I’m pretty sure it varies from doctor to doctor.
I know, right? I made sauteed chicken thighs with peeled mashed potatoes and a flabby gravy. Since it seemed like the only allowed veggies were mushy carrots or mushy green beans, I opted to forego veggies altogether.
And no pepper!!
That was hard.
Nuts and seeds can lodge in the intestine and could be confused with a polyp.
Huh, no one told me not to eat pepper. I mean, not whole peppercorns, of course. But ground?
My (very lengthy) list of Forbidden Foods included pepper. I thought it was a bit much. Like you, I can understand no whole peppercorns (who eats those, anyway?), but the list said, “NO PEPPER.”
Thank goodness it’s only every 10 years!