Tri-Lytely Prep Instructions
Opt-in to receive Day-by-Day Prep Instructions
- If your procedure is scheduled at South Lake Endoscopy Center, located at 2040 Oakley Seaver Dr. Clermont, FL 34711. They will contact you the day before your procedure to give you an arrival time. If you have not heard from them by 1pm the day before your procedure, please contact them at 352-536-8895.
- If your procedure is scheduled at South Lake Hospital, you will need to call the hospital after 5pm the day before your procedure for your arrival time. 352-241- 7159.
- If your procedure is scheduled at Heart of Florida Hospital, located at 40100 Highway 27, Davenport, 33837. They will contact you the day before your procedure to give you an arrival time. If you have not heard from them by 2pm the day before your procedure, please contact them at 863-419-2589.
- If your procedure is scheduled at Health Central Hospital, located at 10,000 West Colonial Drive in Ocoee, they will call you to give you an arrival time. If you have not heard from them by 12:00 p.m. the day before your procedure, please call them at 407-296-1270.
- If your procedure is scheduled at Clermont Ambulatory Surgery Center, located at 255 Citrus Tower Blvd, Ste 100. They will call you the day before your procedure to give you an arrival time. If you have not heard from them by 2 p.m. the day before your procedure, please contact them at 352-536-6340.
- 2 days before the procedure avoid popcorn, peas, beans, seeds, nuts, and lettuce
- NO red or purple liquids.
If you have a history of congestive heart failure or kidney failure, this is the safest prep for you to do.
You are scheduled for a colonoscopy, an examination of the colon (large intestine) with a lighted flexible scope. During the colonoscopy, if an abnormality is seen, it is usually biopsied at that time. This involves removing a portion or all of the abnormal area for processing and subsequent examination under a microscope.
Risks of the procedure:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Perforation of the bowel lining requiring surgical intervention
It is very rare that these complications occur but in the event that you have any of the following you should go directly to the Emergency Room:
- Heavy rectal bleeding
- Sharp/severe abdominal pain
- Severe nausea or vomiting
- Fever
It may be necessary to hold anticoagulants (blood thinners) after you have polyps removed, please discuss with your Gastroenterologist and Cardiologist.
You are required to schedule a follow up visit at the office to discuss the results of the procedure with the physician.
You must have an adult over the age of 18 stay with you and drive you home after the procedure, due to sedation. Plan for you and your ride to be at the surgery center for a total of two to three hours. Your ride must stay at the
center the entire time you are there. When you arrive, you will need to complete your paperwork and then change into a patient gown. The nursing staff will perform a brief assessment, place an I.V., and take you into the procedure room where you will be sedated and undergo the colonoscopy. The colonoscopy itself takes about 15 to 30 minutes.
After the colonoscopy you will rest in the recovery area while the sedative wears off. Due to the sedation, you may not remember your conversation with the doctor after the colonoscopy. Please have a family member or friend stay with you that can speak with the doctor and nurses after the procedure. By law, you cannot drive the rest of the day of the colonoscopy. We advise you to take the entire day off work.
A thorough cleansing of the colon is essential and the examination is most successful if you follow the directions for preparation completely, as outlined below. If you have any questions about the test or preparation, please do not hesitate to call our office.
It is important to notify us of all prescription medications and non-prescription products (over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory, herbal, vitamins, etc) you are taking and a list of any medications you are allergic to.
Purchase these items ahead of time:
- Tri-Lytley Colon Prep (per your prescription from our office).
- Dulcolax LAXATIVE tablets. You will need four (4).
Colonoscopy Preparation Timeline
Five or more days prior to your colonoscopy
- Arrange for a ride. If you do not have a ride, we will have to cancel the procedure.
- Purchase the laxative medications listed above.
- Consider obtaining a protective ointment such as Preparation H, Desitin, or Vaseline to protect the anal area during the prep. You can start to apply it after the first laxative is taken.
- If you are taking coumadin (warfarin) or other blood thinners, you must hold them for 4 days before the colonoscopy. You must check with the doctor who prescribed them for you to make sure it is safe for you
to do so. Aspirin is stopped at least 4 days before the colonoscopy. - Check with your insurance carrier if you need pre-approval and that you understand your financial responsibility for the procedure. There should be a number on the back of your insurance card to call.
- Stop taking iron and vitamins with iron five days before the colonoscopy.
- Make any needed arrangements to be off work or school on the day of the colonoscopy. Please remember, by law, you cannot drive the rest of the day of the colonoscopy.
- Read and familiarize yourself with the preparation instructions below.
- Please call us with any questions.
Three days prior to your colonoscopy
- Review and plan dietary needs for the next two days.
- Confirm your ride.
- If you have questions, please call us.
Two days prior to your colonoscopy
- Eat well-balanced meals but try to avoid nuts, popcorn, raw fruit, raw vegetables, and salads.
- List any allergies and all prescription medications and non-prescription products (over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory, herbal,vitamins, etc.) you are taking. Bring these lists with you on the day of the colonoscopy.
One day prior to your colonoscopy
- Start a Clear Liquid Diet when you get up and continue all day.
Clear Liquid Diet
Make sure you drink plenty of clear liquids throughout the day
Soups: Clear bouillon, chicken broth, vegetable broth, beef broth, or consommé.
Beverages: Tea, coffee, Kool-Aid, carbonated beverages, Gatorade.
You may add sugar to coffee and tea but not milk or creamer
Juices: White Cranberry, apple, white grape, strained lemonade, limeade, and orange drink.
Any juice that you can see through and has no pulp is acceptable.
Dessert: Italian ices, popsicles, hard candy.
- Do not drink RED OR PURPLE colored beverages or eat any Jell-O.
- No solid food of any kind.
- Throughout the day, make sure to drink at least eight glasses (two quarts) or more of fluids such as Gatorade, or a similar product, preferably not just plain water.
- Diabetic Patients: You should take your diabetic medications. The prep solution contains no sugar which your body needs because you will not be eating solid foods. Throughout the day, you should drink sugar containing clear liquids, as needed to maintain your blood sugar level. Monitor your blood sugar at your usual times.
- Take your usual prescription medications (except iron). If you are on coumadin or other blood thinners, please contact the prescribing physician for specific instructions at least one week prior to the colonoscopy.
8 a.m. Add water to the prep solution. Fill to line on jug and shake until powder is dissolved. Place in the refrigerator.
1 p.m. Take all four Dulcolax tablets with 32 ounces of clear liquids. Do not crush or chew.
4 p.m. Begin to drink the preparation solution.
- Drink one, eight-ounce glass of the solution every ten minutes until the preparation is finished. Shake the container before pouring each glass.
- You will consume several glassfuls before you have the first loose watery bowel movement, and this may make you feel slightly bloated. You will become more comfortable as you start to have bowel movements. You may experience nausea, abdominal fullness, and bloating. If this occurs, stop drinking temporarily or drink each portion at longer intervals until these symptoms disappear. If you start to have severe abdominal pain and vomiting—stop drinking and call our office
Remember to remain close to toilet facilities!
The day of your colonoscopy:
- Please be sure to take any blood pressure or heart medications the morning of the test with a sip of water.
- Diabetic Patients: Do not take your diabetes pills today, but do bring a dose with you to take after your colonoscopy. If you are on Insulin, take ½ of usual NPH and no regular insulin. Bring the remaining doses with you to take after your colonoscopy.
- When you are ready to leave, your designated driver will take you home where you can eat and relax the rest of the day. You will receive specific instructions about eating, activities, and medications before you leave.
ATTENTION PATIENTS PLEASE READ:
***Absolutely all piercings must be removed prior to procedure***
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Golytely, Nulytely, and Colyte?
All solutions are similar forms of this prep.
Why do I have to drink so much?
This is a large amount to drink but it works by flushing out your system of waste material over several hours. The solution gently “washes” the bowel clean. Do not just sip the solution. It is important you drink eight ounces every 15 minutes. It does not absorb into your body, nor does it cause you to become dehydrated.
Is there any way that I can make this taste any better?
Why avoid red liquids?
One of the medications I was instructed to take the morning of my procedure is red. Can I take it?
I feel like vomiting and do not think I can drink any more. What should I do?
I drank a lot of the solution and have not gone to the bathroom yet. What should I do?
I am taking the prep and having loose, watery stools. Do I still need the rest of the prep?
I already have diarrhea before taking the prep, do I still have to take the laxative?
I see yellow color in the toilet bowl and a few flecks. What do I do?
My bottom is so sore. What can I do?
Can I drink alcoholic beverages?
Can I chew gum or suck candy?
What if I am still passing stool the morning of my test?
Can I brush my teeth?
Can I wear my dentures?
I have been instructed not to take anti-inflammatories or blood thinners several days before the procedure. What can I take for headaches and pain relief?
Can I have chicken soup?
Can I have the colonoscopy if I am on my menstrual period?
Can my ride drop me off and come back later to pick me up?
I have a history of Congestive Heart Failure or Renal Failure. Is it safe for me to do this prep?
NO RED, PURPLE OR BLUE LIQUIDS
YOU MAY HAVE THE FOLLOWING:
- WATER
- GINGER ALE
- MOUNTAIN DEW
- COLA, DIET COLA
- LEMONADE
- GATORADE, POWERADE, G2
- APPLE JUICE
- WHITE GRAPE JUICE
- WHITE CRANBERRY JUICE
- UNCOLORED PEDIALITE
- CHICKEN BROTH, BEEF BROTH, VEGETABLE BROTH
- COFFEE (NO MILK OR CREAMER)
- TEA (HOT OR COLD, SWEET OR UNSWEET)
- POPSICLES
- HARD CANDIES, LOLLIPOPS