What You Need To Know
Completing your bowel preparation is VERY important as your bowel needs to be completely clean for a successful colonoscopy
What You Need To Do
You will need to purchase 2 sachets of Picoprep Orange (20g each) or Picosalax (16.1g each) AND 1 sachet of Colonlytely (70g). These are available from most pharmacies.
Seven (7) Days Before
Stop any iron supplements / tablets
Two (2) Days Before The Procedure
Consume a low fibre diet (see list below)
One (1) Day Before The Procedure
Follow instructions on the next page if your procedure is occurring in the morning (AM) or afternoon (PM)
Day Of Colonoscopy
Follow instructions on the next page
Low Fibre Diet
White bread, white pasta, white rice
Eggs, cottage cheese, low fat plain yoghurt, skim milk
Poached chicken, steamed white fish
Well cooked and peeled pumpkin and potato
Jelly (lemon, lime or orange)
Approved Clear Fluids
Water, black tea and black coffee (without milk)
Strained fruit juices (apple or pear) without the pulp
Clear soups or broth
Jelly (lemon, lime or orange)
Cordial (lemon, lime or orange)
Carbonated soft drinks (lemonade, lemon squash, ginger ale, mineral water)
Clear ice blocks
You MUST avoid red and purple food colouring.
Stop Eating
Brown bread, cereals
Raw fruits, vegetables and anything containing seeds.
We also recommend that you avoid yellow cheese.
Before Your Colonoscopy
A Nurse from Day Surgery will call you to tell you your admission date and fasting time 1-2 business days prior to your colonoscopy.
The timing of your bowel preparation depends on whether your colonoscopy is booked for the morning (AM) or the afternoon (PM).
Follow the correct instructions on the back of this page based on the time you have been given.
Allow 3 to 6 hours from the time of your admission until you will be ready to be picked up.
One (1) Day Before Procedure
Before 9am
Have a light breakfast (for example, stewed fruit and poached egg – no cereal or bread). Then stop eating any solid foods.
After 9am
After breakfast you may have approved clear fluids only. Make up Colonlytely in 1L of water and place in the fridge.
5 pm
The first dose – Add 1 sachet of PicoPrep Orange to 250ml of water and drink. Continue to drink clear fluids (from the approved clear liquids list), at least 1 glass per hour to avoid dehydration.
7 pm
The second dose – Drink 1L Colonlytely as per instructions on the packet. Continue to drink clear fluids.
Day Of The Procedure
5am
The third dose – Add 1 sachet of PicoPrep Orange to 250ml of water and drink (this is early but very important!).
6am
You are now fasting (you may have your morning medications with a sip of water; no diabetic tablets). No food, chewing gum, lollies or drinks.
ONLY WATER up until two (2) hours before your procedure.
One (1) Day Before Procedure
Before 9am
Have a light breakfast (for example, stewed fruit and poached egg – no cereal or bread).
Before 1pm
Have a light lunch (for example, stewed fruit and poached egg – no cereal or bread). Make up Colonlytely in 1L of water and place in the fridge.
After 1pm
Have approved clear fluids only.
5 pm
The first dose – Add 1 sachet of PicoPrep Orange to 250ml of water and drink. Continue to drink clear fluids (from the approved clear liquids list) at least 1 glass per hour to avoid dehydration.
7 pm
The second dose – Drink 1L Colonlytely as per instructions on the packet. Continue to drink clear fluids.
Day Of The Procedure
8am
The third dose – Add 1 sachet of PicoPrep Orange to 250ml of water and drink.
9am
You are now fasting (you may have your morning medications with a sip of water; no diabetic tablets). No food, chewing gum, lollies or drinks.
ONLY WATER up until two (2) hours before your procedure.
Further Instructions
Fast from the time advised by the Nurse.
The Anaesthetist will instruct you about taking or withholding your regular medications. If instructed by the Anaesthetist, any tablets should be taken with a sip of water.
If you take insulin follow the instructions you have been given by the Anaesthetist.
If you take blood thinning tablets/injections follow the instructions you have been given by the Anaesthetist and Surgeon.
Schedule a Telehealth or InPerson Appointment
