Carolina Mountain Gastroenterology

a division of DHP

has partnered with Gifthealth for your upcoming colonoscopy prep

Gifthealth will:

Contact you to verify your address and collect your copay, if applicable

Provide cost-saving options and automatically apply coupons

Verify the procedure date

Provide instruction sheets on your specific preparation

Deliver your bowel prep regimen for FREE

Our patient care team is always here to help!
1 (833) 614-4438

How will we contact you? 

Phone Call
Welcome SMS text
Checkout link in SMS text
To set up delivery, you must speak to one of our patient care reps or complete the checkout process via SMS link.

What Happens During a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a procedure performed by a doctor and lasts approximately 30 minutes. Medications will be given into your vein to make you feel relaxed and drowsy. During a colonoscopy, the doctor uses a long, flexible, tubular instrument about 1/2-inch in diameter that transmits an image of the lining of the colon called a colonoscope. The colonoscope is inserted through the rectum and advanced through your large intestine. 

You may feel mild cramping during the procedure. When the doctor has finished, the colonoscope is slowly withdrawn while the lining of your bowel is carefully examined. 

During the colonoscopy, if the doctor sees something that may be abnormal, small amounts of tissue can be removed for analysis (called a biopsy), and abnormal growths, or polyps, can be identified and removed. In many cases, colonoscopies allow accurate diagnosis and treatment without the need for a major operation.

Before the Procedure

It is important to discuss your medical history and any medical conditions you may have with your doctor. Be sure to bring a list of your current medications, including prescriptions and any over-the-counter medications, supplements, or herbal remedies you are taking. Also tell your doctor if you have any allergies. 

You will be asked to hold supplements and vitamins several days before your procedure. There will also be some modifications to diabetic medications. If you are taking a prescribed blood thinner, please refer to your instructions on the day to take your last dose and hold until your procedure has been completed. Once your procedure is completed, you will be informed when to resume your blood thinner.

4 days prior to your procedure, you will be instructed to start an over-the-counter stool softener leading up to taking the main prescribed colon prep. The stool softener, Miralax gently softens stool and jump starts the process to optimize the colon cleanse and making it more tolerable.

Continue to take your other prescribed medications such as heart, blood pressure, acid-reflux, and allergy medication.

You'll need to arrange a ride home after the colonoscopy -- you won't be allowed to drive because of the sedatives you'll be given during the procedure. Your doctor may also give you other special instructions.

Preparing Your Bowel for Colonoscopy

For the colonoscopy to be thorough and safe, your bowel must be completely empty.

7-10 Days Before Your Procedure

  • Read your preparation instructions (pay attention to any medication restrictions)
  • Arrange a ride home from the procedure

4 Days Before Your Procedure

  • Begin a low residue diet
  • Avoid high-fiber foods, nuts and seeds
  • Most will start taking 1 capful of Miralax in a glass of water once a day (refer to your instruction sheet)
  • Make sure you have your clear foods diet ready

1 Day Before Your Procedure

  • Start your clear liquid diet
  • Always refer to your doctor provided instructions for specific requirements

A low residue diet consists of :

  • cheese
  • bread
  • rice pasta
  • eggs
  • white meat
  • fish
High residue foods to avoid:
  • nuts and seeds
  • broccoli
  • corn
  • popcorn

A liquid diet means consuming only:

  • Fat-free bouillon or broth
  • Strained fruit juice, no pulp
  • Water
  • Plain coffee
  • Plain tea
  • Regular and diet sodas

*No red, blue, or purple liquids

In most cases, you can also eat gelatin or Popsicles in any color except red or purple. The evening before the procedure starting around 5pm, you will take a bowel prep. This is a laxative to cleanse your bowel. You will take half of the preparation and then save the other half to take 5-6 hours prior to your procedure. This is called split dose preparation. Evidence based studies have shown the split-dose approach, not only is more tolerable, but also does a much better job of cleaning the colon. You’re going to be losing a lot of fluid, so it’s important that you stay hydrated.  

Instruction sheets from your doctor were sent along with the bowel prep regimen. Please follow those instructions to complete your bowel prep- DO NOT FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE BOX

The Day of the Procedure

  • 6 hours before your procedure, discontinue all forms of tobacco products
  • 5-6 hours before your procedure, take the remaining half of your prep
  • You may have clear liquids, gum, hard candy, and your prescribed meds up to 3 hours before your procedure
  • Stop drinking 3 hours before your procedure. You are to have NOTHING by mouth 3 hours prior to your procedure.
  • You should use inhalers, take heart, blood pressure, respiratory, seizure, anti anxiety, anti-reflux, and allergy medication (No blood thinner or diabetic medications). You should take at least 3 hours before the procedure.
  • If you are diabetic, do not take diabetic medications but please bring them with you. If you are concerned about your blood sugar dropping, consider purchasing glucose tablets.
  • You must have someone to drive you to the facility, remain on the premises and then drive you home.

What Happens After a Colonoscopy?

After your colonoscopy:

  • You will stay in a recovery room for about 30 minutes for observation
  • You may feel some cramping or a sensation of having gas, but this usually passes quickly
  • You can usually resume your normal diet

Read your discharge instructions carefully. Certain medications, such as blood-thinning agents, may need to be avoided temporarily if biopsies were taken or polyps were removed.

Bleeding and puncture of the colon are rare but possible complications of a colonoscopy. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following.

  • Excessive or prolonged rectal bleeding
  • Severe abdominal pain, fever, or chills

Carolina Mountain Gastroenterology, a division of DHP

1032 Fleming St.
Hendersonville, NC 28791

Phone: (828) 696-3099

Gifthealth

266 N 4th St
Suite 200
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (833) 614-4438

Email: care@gifthealth.com

Carolina Mountain Gastro Resources