Latest / The Gastro Truth with Dr. Mel Ona / How to Make Colonoscopy Prep WAY Easier (GI Doctor’s 7 Tips)

Transcript

How to Make Colonoscopy Prep WAY Easier (GI Doctor’s 7 Tips) · The Gastro Truth with Dr. Mel Ona

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: I've performed thousands of colonoscopy, and there's something patients tell me all the time.
• 0:04
  SPEAKER_00: Doctor, the worst part wasn't the colonoscopy, it was the prep.
• 0:09
  SPEAKER_00: And I get it, nobody enjoys drinking bowel preparation and spending hours going back and forth to the bathroom.
• 0:16
  SPEAKER_00: But what if I told you there are seven things that can make the process easier?
• 0:20
  SPEAKER_00: And one of them can actually help me find more polyps.
• 0:23
  SPEAKER_00: I'm Dr.
• 0:24
  SPEAKER_00: Melona, a board certified gastroenterologist in Hawaii.
• 0:27
  SPEAKER_00: Today I'm sharing seven practical tips I recommend discussing with patients to make colonoscopy preparation more manageable.
• 0:35
  SPEAKER_00: Because here's something important.
• 0:37
  SPEAKER_00: A poorly cleaned colon can hide polyps, including some that may eventually become cancer.
• 0:43
  SPEAKER_00: And in some cases, inadequate preparation means repeating the whole procedure.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_00: And nobody wants that.
• 0:49
  SPEAKER_00: So let's start with the tip that makes the biggest difference medically.
• 0:53
  SPEAKER_00: Tip number one, split your prep the right way.
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_00: Here's something many patients don't realize.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_00: For most patients, taking bowel preparation in two separate doses works better than drinking everything the night before.
• 1:06
  SPEAKER_00: It's called split dose preparation.
• 1:08
  SPEAKER_00: Typically, you take part of the solution the evening before your colonoscopy and the remaining portion closer to your procedure.
• 1:16
  SPEAKER_00: Now, why does that matter?
• 1:17
  SPEAKER_00: Because your colon continues producing fluid and material even after you've cleaned it out.
• 1:22
  SPEAKER_00: If you finish your entire prep too early, some of that material can accumulate again before the examination.
• 1:29
  SPEAKER_00: Now taking the second portion closer to the procedure helps keep the colon cleaner.
• 1:34
  SPEAKER_00: And a cleaner colon gives me a better chance of detecting small or flat polyps that might otherwise be missed.
• 1:40
  SPEAKER_00: Now the timing is important.
• 1:42
  SPEAKER_00: The usual goal is to begin the second portion approximately four to six hours before your colonoscopy and finish it at least two hours before the procedure.
• 1:50
  SPEAKER_00: But your actual instructions may differ based on your procedure time, anesthesia requirements, and the preparation prescribed.
• 1:57
  SPEAKER_00: Never change your prep schedule on your own.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_00: Follow the specific timing your endoscopy team gives you.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_00: Now this isn't just about convenience, it's about making the colonoscopy as effective as possible.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_00: Tip number two, you may not have to starve all day.
• 2:12
  SPEAKER_00: Now this one surprises people.
• 2:14
  SPEAKER_00: A lot of patients assume the day before a colonoscopy automatically means nothing but clear liquids all day.
• 2:20
  SPEAKER_00: And some practices do require that.
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_00: But depending on the patient and the preparation protocol, a low residue diet may be an option during part of the preparation period.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_00: In my practice, we use a low residue approach that allows certain patients to eat specific foods at designated times.
• 2:37
  SPEAKER_00: That might include chicken, fish without scales, white rice or white bread, or meat.
• 2:44
  SPEAKER_00: The idea is to choose foods that leave relatively little undigested material behind in the colon.
• 2:49
  SPEAKER_00: Foods with lots of seeds, nuts, skins, or insoluble fiber may need to be restricted during their preparation period.
• 2:56
  SPEAKER_00: And here's something else.
• 2:57
  SPEAKER_00: What you eat in the days leading up to your colonoscopy can matter too.
• 3:01
  SPEAKER_00: Some patients, particularly those with constipation or a history of poor bowel preparation, may need additional dietary adjustments.
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_00: But please don't hear me say you may be able to eat and decide to have breakfast on your prep day when your own gastroenterologist told you to follow clear liquids.
• 3:17
  SPEAKER_00: Your prescribed instructions always come first.
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_00: And the goal isn't to eat as much as possible, it's to make the preparation tolerable while still getting your colon completely clean.
• 3:28
  SPEAKER_00: Tip number three, drink the prep cold.
• 3:31
  SPEAKER_00: Now let's talk about the taste.
• 3:33
  SPEAKER_00: Because for many patients, this is where the real struggle begins.
• 3:37
  SPEAKER_00: One of the simplest tricks is to chill the bowel preparation.
• 3:40
  SPEAKER_00: Cold temperatures can make the flavor less noticeable and help some people tolerate it better.
• 3:45
  SPEAKER_00: If your particular preparation can be refrigerated, chill it ahead of time, but check the instructions first.
• 3:51
  SPEAKER_00: Some products have specific mixing, storage, or refrigeration requirements.
• 3:56
  SPEAKER_00: And remember, you still need to drink the entire prescribed amount.
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_00: Making it taste better only helps if you actually finish it.
• 4:04
  SPEAKER_00: Tip number four, use a straw.
• 4:06
  SPEAKER_00: Now this sounds almost too simple, but sometimes the little things make the biggest difference.
• 4:11
  SPEAKER_00: If the flavor bothers you, try drinking the prep through a straw.
• 4:15
  SPEAKER_00: Some people find that placing the straw farther back in the mouth reduces how much of the solution touches the front of the tongue.
• 4:22
  SPEAKER_00: Now, does it magically make bowel preps taste good?
• 4:25
  SPEAKER_00: No.
• 4:26
  SPEAKER_00: I wish.
• 4:27
  SPEAKER_00: But when you're trying to get through several glasses of solution, even a small improvement can help.
• 4:33
  SPEAKER_00: And if you're having significant nausea or vomiting and can't keep the preparation down, contact your endoscopy team rather than forcing yourself through it.
• 4:41
  SPEAKER_00: There may be a better way to manage the problem.
• 4:43
  SPEAKER_00: If you're finding these tips helpful, subscribe to Gastro Truth.
• 4:47
  SPEAKER_00: My goal is to make procedures like colonoscopy less intimidating by explaining what actually matters and what you can do to make the experience easier.
• 4:56
  SPEAKER_00: Now here's another trick that patients appreciate.
• 4:58
  SPEAKER_00: Tip number five, have a lemon or lime ready.
• 5:01
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes the worst part isn't drinking the solution.
• 5:04
  SPEAKER_00: It's the taste that stays in your mouth afterward.
• 5:07
  SPEAKER_00: Now, depending on your specific prep instructions, sucking on a little lemon or lime between drinks may help with that lingering aftertaste.
• 5:15
  SPEAKER_00: Just be careful.
• 5:16
  SPEAKER_00: Don't add ingredients directly to your preparation unless the instructions specifically allow it.
• 5:22
  SPEAKER_00: And if you're on clear liquids, avoid swallowing fruit pulp.
• 5:26
  SPEAKER_00: Some people also find that rinsing their mouth with water between doses helps.
• 5:30
  SPEAKER_00: The goal is simple.
• 5:31
  SPEAKER_00: Make each dose a little more tolerable so you're more likely to complete the preparation.
• 5:36
  SPEAKER_00: Tip number six, protect your skin before it starts hurting.
• 5:40
  SPEAKER_00: Now this may be the most underrated tip on the entire list.
• 5:44
  SPEAKER_00: Once the bowel preparation starts working, you're going to be visiting the bathroom a lot.
• 5:49
  SPEAKER_00: And after enough trips, repeated wiping can leave the skin around your anus irritated and painful.
• 5:55
  SPEAKER_00: So don't wait until it's already sore.
• 5:58
  SPEAKER_00: Consider applying a protective barrier ointment such as petroleum jelly before the frequent bowel movements begin.
• 6:04
  SPEAKER_00: And use soft toilet paper.
• 6:06
  SPEAKER_00: And instead of aggressively wiping, gently blot or dab.
• 6:09
  SPEAKER_00: Now if you have a bidet or a gentle water rinse available, that may also help reduce irritation.
• 6:15
  SPEAKER_00: Trust me.
• 6:16
  SPEAKER_00: A few hours into your preparation, you may be very glad you planned ahead.
• 6:20
  SPEAKER_00: Tip number seven, plan your first meal after the colonoscopy.
• 6:25
  SPEAKER_00: Now here's one more thing you can do before prep day.
• 6:28
  SPEAKER_00: Decide what you're going to eat after the procedure.
• 6:31
  SPEAKER_00: Because after restricting your diet and completing the preparation, you're probably going to be hungry.
• 6:37
  SPEAKER_00: And that's when the giant cheeseburger and fries start sounding pretty good.
• 6:41
  SPEAKER_00: Now your stomach may have a different opinion.
• 6:43
  SPEAKER_00: Now most patients can resume eating after an uncomplicated colonoscopy once they're sufficiently recovered and their care team says it's safe.
• 6:51
  SPEAKER_00: But if you're feeling bloated or nauseated, consider starting with a smaller, easier to digest meal.
• 6:57
  SPEAKER_00: Now keep up with your fluids as instructed.
• 6:59
  SPEAKER_00: And if your endoscopist gives you special dietary instructions based on your procedure, follow those.
• 7:05
  SPEAKER_00: Now one other tip.
• 7:06
  SPEAKER_00: If you're feeling gassy afterward, getting up and walking around when it's safe to do so can help you pass some of that gas.
• 7:13
  SPEAKER_00: So have something ready at home.
• 7:14
  SPEAKER_00: That way you're not making food decisions when you're hungry and still recovering from sedation.
• 7:19
  SPEAKER_00: Now, why all of this matters?
• 7:21
  SPEAKER_00: Here's what I really want you to understand.
• 7:23
  SPEAKER_00: Bowel preparation isn't a test of how tough you are.
• 7:27
  SPEAKER_00: It's an essential part of a good screening colonoscopy or a good diagnostic colonoscopy.
• 7:32
  SPEAKER_00: When I examine your colon, I'm looking for abnormalities that can sometimes be surprisingly small or flat.
• 7:38
  SPEAKER_00: If stool or debris is covering the lining, those abnormalities can be harder to detect.
• 7:42
  SPEAKER_00: And sometimes the difference between a good preparation and a poor one isn't patient motivation.
• 7:47
  SPEAKER_00: It's whether we chose a preparation the patient could realistically complete.
• 7:52
  SPEAKER_00: So if you've struggled with bowel prep before, please tell your gastroenterologist.
• 7:56
  SPEAKER_00: Don't just assume your next experience has to be equally miserable.
• 8:00
  SPEAKER_00: There may be different preparations, schedules, or individualized strategies that work better for you.
• 8:05
  SPEAKER_00: And if you're here in Hawaii, my practice information is in the description if you'd like to learn more about our approach to colonoscopy.
• 8:11
  SPEAKER_00: So there you have it.
• 8:13
  SPEAKER_00: Seven ways to make colonoscopy preparation easier.
• 8:16
  SPEAKER_00: But if you remember only one thing, remember this.
• 8:20
  SPEAKER_00: A good bowel prep helps make a good colonoscopy possible.
• 8:25
  SPEAKER_00: And the whole reason we're doing this is to find and remove precancerous polyps before they have the opportunity to become cancer.
• 8:32
  SPEAKER_00: If you have a colonoscopy coming up, save this video so you can review the tips before your preparation begins.
• 8:38
  SPEAKER_00: And if you're worried about the colonoscopy itself, not just the prep, I have another video you should watch.
• 8:44
  SPEAKER_00: I've personally undergone two colonoscopies without sedation.
• 8:48
  SPEAKER_00: And in that video, I share three things you can ask about that may make your own procedure more comfortable.
• 8:54
  SPEAKER_00: I'm Dr.
• 8:54
  SPEAKER_00: Mel Ona.
• 8:55
  SPEAKER_00: Evidence over hype, your gut deserves the truth.
• 8:59
  SPEAKER_00: I'll see you in the next one.