Pre- and Post-Procedure Guidelines for Upper Gastrointestinal and Colonoscopy

Preparation for upper gastrointestinal and colon endoscopy

1. Do not eat or drink any food or beverages at least 6 hours before the endoscopy.
2. Patients with underlying diseases or drug allergies should inform their doctor. If they have regular medication, such as blood pressure medication, they can take it as usual with about 30 ml of water. However, patients with diabetes must consult their doctor to adjust the dosage of medication because patients must abstain from food and water. Taking the same amount of medication may cause low blood sugar.
3. Two days before the endoscopy, eat soft, easily digestible food with low fiber content, such as rice soup, congee, fish, and eggs. Avoid high-fiber foods, such as brown rice, vegetables, fruits, and other meats.
4. One day before the endoscopy, eat liquid foods without fiber content, such as water, clear soup, fruit juice, and colorless sweet drinks. Avoid red or dark-colored fruit juices or sweet drinks. Take laxatives as recommended by your doctor and nurse.
5. Seven days before the examination, you should stop taking medications that affect blood clotting, such as Warfarin, Aspirin, and Plavix to prevent blood clots.
6. Outpatients should have a relative accompany them to wait for the patient to return home. After the endoscopy and recovering from anesthesia, painkillers during the endoscopy, do not drive back by yourself.
7. Do not bring jewelry and valuables on the day of the endoscopy to prevent loss.
8. In the case that the patient has loose teeth, removable dentures must be notified to the staff to remove them before the endoscopy.
9. Sign the endoscopy consent form. If the patient is under 18 years old, a parent must sign the consent form and acknowledge the risks or other side effects that may occur after the endoscopy.
10. Should arrive 1 hour before the appointment time.

Steps for the endoscopy of the upper digestive system and colon 

1. Change into the clothes provided by the hospital. Keep the patient’s clothes and shoes in the locker in the changing room. Leave valuables with relatives.
2. In some cases, patients do not eat or drink before the endoscopy. If the intestines are not clean and the stool is still mixed with waste, the doctor will give a fecal enema before the examination.
3. Have the patient lie on their left side with their hips on the edge of the bed as much as possible.
4. During the endoscopy, the doctor will give sleeping pills and insert the endoscope into the colon. Blow a little air to expand the intestines to see the inside of the intestines clearly. Patients may feel uncomfortable as if they want to pass stool. Patients should take a deep breath, relax, and the doctor will suck out the air after the examination is complete.
5. If an abnormality is found, the doctor will provide immediate treatment, such as stopping the bleeding, cutting out abnormal tissue for pathological examination, etc.
6. The endoscopy takes about 30 minutes. After the endoscopy is complete, the patient will stay in the recovery room until they wake up and feel well, and their general symptoms are normal and safe to go home. 
   

Self-care after the upper gastrointestinal and colon endoscopy

1. Eat soft, easily digestible food, avoid spicy food, eat food with fiber, and drink 6-8 glasses of water a day to prevent constipation.
2. When patients return home, they should avoid driving, working with machinery, or doing work that requires decision-making for at least 24 hours. After the endoscopy, they should not go back to work. They should rest at home.
3. Observe any abnormal symptoms, such as vomiting, severe abdominal pain, abdominal rigidity, high fever, rectal bleeding, or swelling, redness, and heat at the injection site. They should see a doctor immediately.
4. See a doctor as scheduled, especially in cases where a biopsy is sent for examination to hear the results.

Possible risks after upper gastrointestinal and colonoscopy