Flex Sigmoidoscopy Preparation

• If you are a diabetic, hold your oral diabetic medication the morning of the procedure.  Check your blood sugar the morning of the procedure.  If you use insulin or an insulin pump, check with your primary care doctor for instructions during your prep and the day of your procedure.  Please bring your insulin with you the day of your procedure.  Drink clear fruit juice if your blood sugar gets low.
• If you are on a medication to thin your blood (an anticoagulant or antiplatelet), do not stop your blood thinning medications until you hear from our office. We will contact your physician who prescribes this medication for instructions and notify you. If you have not heard from us a week before your procedure, please call our office at (937) 320-5050 to speak with your physician’s medical assistant.
• If you are on aspirin or NSAIDs, you may continue to use these medications.
• If you take iron or vitamins containing iron, hold these medications for five days before your procedure.
• If you have asthma, bring your inhaler with you to your procedure.
• If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine, please bring it with you to your procedure.

• Avoid eating nuts, seeds, flax seed, iceberg lettuce, corn, popcorn, or tomato skins.
• Purchase the prep supplies listed.  These items are sold over the counter and do not require a prescription.
• Review the instructions below for information regarding when to begin and how to take your bowel prep.

Purchase the following. Both products are sold over the counter at most drug stores.

• Two Fleet Enemas
• One 10-ounce bottle of magnesium citrate (do not purchase red flavors)

IMPORTANT: DO NOT consume any red-, pink-, or purple-colored liquids. DO NOT consume any milk/cream products. DO NOT consume any alcoholic beverages.

• Water
• Vitamin Water (no red, pink, or purple)
• Broth / Bouillon
• Jell-O (no red, pink, or purple)
• Coffee & Tea (no dairy or cream)
• Fruit Juice without Pulp (apple, white grape, white cranberry) (no red, pink, or purple)
• Sports Drinks (Gatorade, G2, Powerade, etc.) (no red, pink, or purple)
• Popsicles without Fruit or Pulp (no red, pink, or purple)
• Pop / Soda (Coke, Diet Coke, etc.) (no red, pink, or purple)

• Follow a clear liquid diet.
• 4 hours prior to your procedure time: Have NOTHING to eat or drink, including gum, hard candy, or chewing tobacco for 4 HOURS PRIOR to your procedure OR YOUR PROCEDURE MAY BE CANCELED. Using a small amount of water, take your prescription medications as you usually do unless you have been instructed to hold the medication prior to the procedure. It is very important that you take your blood pressure or heart medication as usual. You may brush your teeth the morning of the procedure.
• 1.5-2 Hours Before You Must Leave Home for Your Appointment: use the Fleet enemas according to the directions on the box.
  • Give yourself the first enema. Retain it for as long as possible.
  • After you have results from the first enema, wait 20 to 30 minutes and use the second enema.

• You must have a driver (no taxis or buses) to take you home after the procedure. Your driver must stay on the premises during your procedure and then drive you home. You should not drive until the next day. Your procedure will be rescheduled if your driver is unable to stay.
• Bring a list of your current medications and any allergies to medication.
• Bring your insurance cards and driver’s license/picture ID with you.
• If you are a diabetic, check your blood sugar at home before your procedure.
• If you have an implanted cardiac defibrillator, it is very important that you bring the card identifying the device manufacturer, model, and serial number.
• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
• You may wear your dentures, hearing aids, contacts, or glasses; however, you may be asked to remove them for the procedure.  Please leave your jewelry at home.