A colonoscopy is a procedure for viewing the interior lining of the large intestine (colon) using a small camera called a colonoscope. The test is performed while  you lie on your left side with your knees drawn up toward the abdomen. After administration of an intravenous sedative and analgesic, the instrument is inserted through the anus and gently advanced under direct vision to the terminal small bowel. 1. Prepare prior to the day of the examination as detailed on the preparation schedule below. 2. Go to the Longmont Surgery Center, located on the first floor of the United Medical Building which is attached to the far west end of the hospital. Check in at the reception desk thirty minutes prior to your scheduled exam time. 3. You will read and sign a consent form and change into a gown. A nurse will then start an IV and do any other final preparations before your exam. 4. Your doctor will be available to speak with you and your family before and after your exam. 5. Procedure times are scheduled; however, circumstantial delays, usually not exceeding one hour, can occur. 6. You will be given a sedative to help you tolerate the procedure with minimal discomfort. Examination times vary between fifteen and thirty minutes. Recovery time before you are released to go home varies between thirty minutes to one hour. You will not be allowed to drive a motor vehicle for the rest of the day, so arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home. Taxi rides are not acceptable. Fleet Phospho-Soda Preparation Colyte Preparation Visicol Preparation   Fleet Phospho-Soda Preparation     BACK Avoid eating peas, corn, poppy or sesame seeds, popcorn and other dried seeds or nuts for several days prior to your colonoscopy. If you use Coumadin, aspirin or aspirin products, please discontinue use three days before your exam. You will need to purchase (over the counter) one 10 oz. bottle of Magnesium Citrate and two 1.5 oz. bottles of Fleet Phospho-Soda. Two days before colonoscopy: 1. Have a normal breakfast. 2. Have a light lunch around noon. 3. After 3:00 p.m., take one 10 oz. bottle of Magnesium Citrate. Bowel movements usually begin within one to two hours and will last approximately six hours. 4. Begin a clear liquid diet which includes: black coffee and tea, broth, strained juices, clear carbonated beverages, no red Jello and water. You may continue to take clear liquids until midnight before the exam. One day before colonoscopy: 1. Take Fleet Phospho-Soda by mixing the first bottle of Fleet with 12 ounces of water or ginger ale and drinking the entire glass over 15 to 20 minutes. 2. Repeat in 4-5 hours with the second bottle. You will experience several loose stools. 3. Continue drinking clear liquids liberally between doses and for the remainder of the day and evening. Day of Examination: 1. Do not eat any solid food. 2. If you are thirsty, drink only a small quantity (up to 4 oz.) of water prior to the examination. If you take medications, these can be taken before or after the examination.   Colyte Preparation    BACK Avoid eating peas, corn, poppy or sesame seeds, popcorn and other dried seeds or nuts for several days prior to your colonoscopy. If you use Coumadin, aspirin or aspirin products, please discontinue use three days before your exam. Day Before Examination 1. Have a normal breakfast. 2. Have a light lunch around noon. 3. Avoid all solid food after 1 p.m. You may have clear liquids which include: black coffee and tea, broth, strained juices, clear carbonated beverages, non-red Jello and water. 4. We recommend that you use one Fleet Enema before beginning the Colyte preparation. If you choose to skip this step and then encounter severe bloating, nausea or vomiting, you should take the Fleet Enema. 5. Buy one or two fresh limes. Mix Colyte with cool tap water. Begin drinking Colyte between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Drink 8 oz. every 15 minutes until the bottle is empty. (It is best to drink the 8 oz. rapidly rather than sipping small amounts.) Most people tire of the taste of Colyte. If this happens to you, suck on a slice of lime between glasses of Colyte. Bowel movements should begin after approximately half of the bottle has been drunk, and continue periodically for approximately 1-2 hours after the last glass. By this time, the stool should be clear yellow liquid. Feelings of bloating and/or nausea are common after the first few glasses of Colyte because of the large volume of liquid ingested. This is temporary, and will disappear once bowel movements have begun. If you feel overdistended, nauseated or if you vomit, stop drinking for 10 to 20 minutes until the sensation leaves, then resume drinking. After you finish the Colyte, water or other clear liquids may be continued until midnight. Day of Examination 1. Do not eat any solid food until after the examination. 2. If you are thirsty, drink only a small quantity (up to 4 oz.) of water prior to the examination. If you take medications, these can be taken before or after the examination.   Visicol Preparation    BACK Avoid eating peas, corn, poppy or sesame seeds, popcorn and other dried seeds or nuts for several days prior to your colonoscopy. If you use Coumadin, aspirin or aspirin products, please discontinue use three days before your exam. Two days before colonoscopy: 1. Have a normal breakfast. 2. Have a light lunch around noon. 3. Have a light dinner. 4. Begin a clear liquid diet after the dinner which includes: black coffee and tea, broth, strained juices, clear carbonated beverages, non-red Jello and water. You will continue to take clear liquids until midnight before the exam. One day before colonoscopy: 1. Continue liquid diet. 2. The evening before the colonoscopy procedure, 4 Visicol tabs should be taken with at least 8 ounces of clear liquids every 30 minutes, for a total of 40 tabs. Try to drink 8 ounces of water between doses. 3. Continue clear liquids for the remainder of the day and evening.