Baring it all- Bowel prep 101

Having worked in a hospital a good part of my career, I knew exactly what a clear liquid diet was. It’s a diet that allows only clear liquids- black coffee or tea, apple juice, jello, popsicles and broth. It is a short term diet used preoperatively for patients having surgery, or post operatively until a patients’ bowel function returns (meaning, they are passing gas and/or pooping on their own). Nice, right? This type of diet is also used a prep for a colonoscopy as a way to limit the amount of “matter” left in your large bowel so a camera can check things out without interruption. You can have any color of jello, sports drink or kool aid except red before the test.This week, I had the joy of prepping for my first colonoscopy. I’d been experiencing awful acid reflux, so a gastroenterologist advised me to have an EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy). Say that one five times fast! This type of test involves knocking you out with anesthesia so the doctor can drop a tiny camera down your mouth to your stomach and small intestine to check for inflammation of the stomach lining, ulcers, cancers and the like. And since I’m less than a year shy of 50, he suggested I go for the gastrointestinal “two for one” and have them both at the same time. Getting old ain't for sissies.What’s involved with a colonoscopy is simple. The evening before your exam, you have to drink 2 large jugs of a very sweet, lemony drink over the course of 4 hours to “clean you out” before the test. Think of melted lemon head candy and you’ll get the flavor just right. Because you’ll be needing a toilet every 15 or so minutes, plan on staying close to home. It’s really important to hydrate before the test to prevent dehydration the day of your test. I drank about 100 oz. of water (equivalent to over 12 cups of water) and still woke up with a dry mouth the morning of my test.This is no time for sugar free Jello or Gatorade. You will need the calories during the day to counteract the lack of food you’re missing. I opted for orange jello! Eat a few cups of broth also to replace the sodium losses you’ll have from diarrhea.The morning of the test, you’re only allowed clear liquids up to 2 hours before it. Being hydrated will make it easier for the nurse to place an IV for fluids and anesthesia and for you to recover faster and avoid hypotension (low blood pressure).The upper and lower GI (gastrointestinal) tests themselves are short and I remember nothing. The EGD took about 5 minutes and the colon (being loopier) took about 20-30 minutes to examine with a recovery time of about 30 minutes. I returned home with no issues, but certainly needed a nap for the anesthesia to wear off. I was able to eat and drink normal food the rest of the day. In fact, my husband and I went out for Indian food that afternoon!If your colonoscopy is normal, another is not required for 10 years. For individuals with a family history of colon cancer or suspicious polyps, the test may be advised at a younger age and every 5 years. Assuming my test was normal, I won’t require another test any time soon!To keep your colon healthy, eat a high fiber diet including fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains like oatmeal, shredded wheat, bran cereal, brown rice, quinoa, bulgur, 100% whole wheat bread and whole grain pasta. Don’t skimp on beans, peas and lentils in your diet either. These are loaded with fiber and should be eaten regularly.Limit red meat, pork and processed meat (READ bacon, sausage, hot dogs, etc.) as these have been linked with colon cancer. Get adequate calcium in your diet through low fat dairy products or leafy green vegetables. And don’t forget WATER. Fiber attracts water, so without it, your bowels may get locked up instead of moving smoothly. Most of need about 2-3 liters (8-12, eight oz. cups) per day for good health.