Preparing For Your Colonoscopy at the Highland Endoscopy Unit
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: THE BASICS
Colonoscopy Date/Time. Our scheduling team will confirm with you the date and arrival time for your colonoscopy. Expect to spend about 3 hours with us that day (approximately 1 hour in the prep area, 45 minutes in the procedure, and 1 hour in the recovery room). Please make sure you know your date and arrival time. Please schedule no other activities for that day. If you cannot make this date, please let our scheduling team know AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. The Highland Endoscopy Unit Scheduling Office telephone is 510-437-8563.
Location. Your colonoscopy is scheduled to be done at the Highland Hospital Endoscopy Unit. We are located on the Highland Hospital Campus at 1411 East 31st Street, Oakland CA 94602. Our unit is located on the 5th Floor of the Highland Care Pavilion. Patients can be dropped off at the main entrance. Escorts can park in the Highland Care Pavilion parking garage or in the Highland Hospital parking garage.
Escort. You will be receiving sedation during the colonoscopy. To ensure that you can get home safely, we REQUIRE that you have someone to escort you home after your procedure. You are not allowed to drive for the remainder of the day after the procedure. If you do not have an escort, we will CANCEL your procedure. This is for your safety.
Bowel Preparation. You will need to closely follow bowel prep instructions to clean out your colon before the colonoscopy. The bowel prep is not enjoyable. It will cause you to have lots of diarrhea and you will probably be hungry during this time since you cannot eat solid foods. The payoff of a good bowel prep is that the doctor will be able to give you the best evaluation possible. The scheduling team will tell you which bowel prep to use.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR GOLYTELY BOWEL PREP
ONE WEEK BEFORE YOUR COLONOSCOPY
Confirm your appointment. We require all scheduled patients to confirm that they will be coming in for their colonoscopy. The confirmation line is 510-437-8563. You may leave a message
Arrange for someone to take you home on the day of procedure. It is very important that you have someone to escort you on the day of your colonoscopy. You will be receiving sedation during your colonoscopy and this will impair your ability to get home safely without someone to escort you. We require that you have someone to take you home.
Pick up your GoLYTELY prescription from your pharmacy.
Watch the GoLYTELY bowel prep video posted on this website. Please scroll down to access videos.
Review your medications.
If you take a blood thinner, this may need to be stopped before the procedure to reduce your risk of bleeding. Let us know if you take any of these blood thinners. Here is a list of common blood thinners:
apixiban (Eliquis), betrixaban (Bevyxxa), dabigatran (Pradaxa)
dalteparin (Fragmin), edoxaban (Savaysa), enoxaparin (Lovenox)
fondaparinux heparin (Arixtra), rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
warfarin (Coumadin)
If you take an antiplatelet medication, this may need to be stopped before the procedure to reduce your risk of bleeding. Let us know if you take any of these antiplatelet medicines. Here is a list of common antiplatelet medicines:
cilostazol (Pletal), clopidogrel (Plavix), prasugrel (Effient), ticralegor (Brilinta)
FIVE (5) DAYS BEFORE YOUR COLONOSCOPY
Stop taking the following medications (if you take any of them):
Warfarin (Coumadin), Ticagrelor (Brilinta), Prasugrel (Effient), Aggrenox - UPON THE APPROVAL OF YOUR ORDERING PRIMARY CARE OR SPECIALTY PHYSICIAN
Iron medications, fish oil, or supplements. These medications can color the stool and make it more difficult for the doctor to see well.
Over the Counter Pain Medications: Advil, Aleve, Excedrin, Ibuprofen, Naprosyn, Naproxen.
Watch the GoLyteLy bowel prep video posted on this website. Please scroll down to access videos.
THREE (3) DAYS BEFORE YOUR COLONOSCOPY
Stop taking the following medications (if you take any of them):
No recreational drug use: marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin, or hallucinogenic drugs.
Type 1 Diabetes: please contact your primary care physician or your diabetes care physician for instructions regarding adjustment to your insulin dose for the procedure
Type 2 Diabetes
1 day before your colonoscopy
Take 1/2 of your usual dose of diabetes medication, including oral and insulin medications
Please check your blood sugars 3 times a day
Day of colonoscopy
DO NOT take any oral diabetes medications
Begin a light diet. Drink plenty of fluids and start a low fiber diet to help your bowel prep. Do not eat:
Fresh fruit or vegetables (especially corn)
Whole grains (oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa, wheat bread)
Seeds or nuts
Watch the GoLYTELY bowel prep video posted on this website. Please scroll down to access videos.
TWO (2) DAYS BEFORE YOUR COLONOSCOPY
Make sure you picked up GoLyteLy from your pharmacy
Stop taking the following blood thinners - UPON APPROVAL OF YOUR ORDERING PRIMARY CARE OR SPECIALTY PHYSICIAN
apixiban (Eliquis), betrixaban (Bevyxxa), dabigatran (Pradaxa)
dalteparin (Fragmin), edoxaban (Savaysa), enoxaparin (Lovenox)
fondaparinux heparin (Arixtra), rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
Watch the GoLYTELY bowel prep video posted on this website. Please scroll down to access videos.
THE DAY BEFORE YOUR COLONOSCOPY
Watch the GoLyteLy bowel prep video posted on this website. Please scroll down to access videos.
Begin a CLEAR, LIQUID DIET. No solid food till after your colonoscopy the next day!!
You can drink (Clear Liquids):
Yellow or clear Gatorade, Pedialyte, Powerade, or other sports drink. Do not drink red or purple drinks of any kind (they make it hard to see and can look like blood)
Clear carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks: ginger ale, 7-Up, Sprite
Clear fruit juices with no pulp: apple juice or white grape juice
Clear broth or bouillon
Popsicles. Do not eat red or purple popsicles of any kind (they make it hard to see and can look like blood)
Coffee or tea without milk or creamer
You SHOULD NOT DRINK:
NO red or purple liquids (they make it hard to see and can look like blood)
NO alcohol
NO milk or dairy creamers
NO noodles or rice or vegetables in soup
NO liquid that you cannot see through
At 3:00PM: Mix GoLyteLy with water according to the instructions on the bottle
You may add 1-2 packets of Crystal Light or yellow lemonade if desired
Place mixed bowel prep in the refrigerator
At 5:00PM: Start drinking one (1) 8 oz. glass every 20 minutes until you have completed half of the bottle
You may drink additional clear liquids during or after you finish half of the bottle
You may slow down your drinking or take an hour break from drinking the bowel prep if you become nauseous or experience abdominal bloating
After completing half of the bottle, place it back in the refrigerator
THE DAY OF YOUR COLONOSCOPY
If your colonoscopy is scheduled BEFORE 12PM: Please begin drinking the second half of the bottle at 2:00-3:00AM.
Please drink using the same 20 minute interval to complete the second half of the bottle by 4:30AM. Do not drink any liquids or eat any food after 4:30AM.
If your colonoscopy is scheduled AFTER 12PM: Please begin drinking the second half of the bottle at 6:00AM.
Please drink using the same 20 minute interval to complete the second half of the bottle by 9:00AM. Do not drink any liquids after 10:00AM.
Arrive for your colonoscopy. Please arrive at the time that the scheduling team advised. Your colonoscopy is scheduled to be done at the Highland Hospital Endoscopy Unit. We are located on the Highland Hospital Campus at 1411 East 31st Street, Oakland CA 94602. Our unit is located on the 5th Floor of the Highland Care Pavilion. Patients can be dropped off at the main entrance. Escorts can park in the Highland Care Pavilion parking garage or in the Highland Hospital parking garage.
Your stay. Expect to spend an average of 3 hours with us. From registration to prep to procedure to recovery.
Post-Colonoscopy. You will be sent home with your escort. Rest for the remainder of the day. You may eat a light diet. You can return to normal activities the day after.
GoLYTELY Bowel Preparation Videos for Colonoscopy
GOLYTELY in English with English subtitles
GoLTELY en español con subtítulos en español
Acknowledgements: Thank you to Dr. Toby Bradford for the creation of the videos, and to Dr. Sadel Chavez for proofreading the Spanish version of the videos.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MIRALAX-GATORADE BOWEL PREP
(DO NOT USE IF YOU HAVE HEART FAILURE OR KIDNEY FAILURE)
ONE WEEK BEFORE YOUR COLONOSCOPY
Confirm your appointment. We require all scheduled patients to confirm that they will be coming in for their colonoscopy. The confirmation line is 510-437-8563. You may leave a message
Arrange for someone to take you home on the day of procedure. It is very important that you have someone to escort you on the day of your colonoscopy. You will be receiving sedation during your colonoscopy and this will impair your ability to get home safely without someone to escort you. We require that you have someone to take you home.
Purchase the following supplies at your local pharmacy (no presciption required).
2 (TWO) - 8.3 oz (238 grams) bottles of Miralax Laxative. Each bottle is approximately $10-12. Generic is acceptable and may be cheaper. Generics might be branded as Smooth LAX (Walgreens), Purelax (CVS), Laxaclear (Costco), Clearlax (Walmart), or Polyethylene Glycol 3350.
2 (TWO) - 64 oz bottles of any clear liquid that is NOT RED, PURPLE, or ORANGE. Gatorade and Powerade are great options. Diabetics should choose sugar-free options. Each bottle is approximately $2-3.
Review your medications.
If you take a blood thinner, this may need to be stopped before the procedure to reduce your risk of bleeding. Let us know if you take any of these blood thinners. Here is a list of common blood thinners:
apixiban (Eliquis), betrixaban (Bevyxxa), dabigatran (Pradaxa)
dalteparin (Fragmin), edoxaban (Savaysa), enoxaparin (Lovenox)
fondaparinux heparin (Arixtra), rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
warfarin (Coumadin)
If you take an antiplatelet medication, this may need to be stopped before the procedure to reduce your risk of bleeding. Let us know if you take any of these antiplatelet medicines. Here is a list of common antiplatelet medicines:
cilostazol (Pletal), clopidogrel (Plavix), prasugrel (Effient), ticralegor (Brilinta)
FIVE (5) DAYS BEFORE YOUR COLONOSCOPY
Stop taking the following medications (if you take any of them):
Warfarin (Coumadin), Ticagrelor (Brilinta), Prasugrel (Effient), Aggrenox - UPON THE APPROVAL OF YOUR ORDERING PRIMARY CARE OR SPECIALTY PHYSICIAN
Iron medications, fish oil, or supplements. These medications can color the stool and make it more difficult for the doctor to see well.
Over the Counter Pain Medications: Advil, Aleve, Excedrin, Ibuprofen, Naprosyn, Naproxen.
THREE (3) DAYS BEFORE YOUR COLONOSCOPY
Stop taking the following medications (if you take any of them):
No recreational drug use: marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin, or hallucinogenic drugs.
Type 1 Diabetes: please contact your primary care physician or your diabetes care physician for instructions regarding adjustment to your insulin dose for the procedure
Type 2 Diabetes
1 day before your colonoscopy
Take 1/2 of your usual dose of diabetes medication, including oral and insulin medications
Please check your blood sugars 3 times a day
Day of colonoscopy
DO NOT take any oral diabetes medications
Begin a light diet. Drink plenty of fluids and start a low fiber diet to help your bowel prep. Do not eat:
Fresh fruit or vegetables (especially corn)
Whole grains (oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa, wheat bread)
Seeds or nuts
TWO (2) DAYS BEFORE YOUR COLONOSCOPY
Make sure you have all the supplies you need for your bowel preparation (see list above).
Stop taking the following blood thinners - UPON APPROVAL OF YOUR ORDERING PRIMARY CARE OR SPECIALTY PHYSICIAN
apixiban (Eliquis), betrixaban (Bevyxxa), dabigatran (Pradaxa)
dalteparin (Fragmin), edoxaban (Savaysa), enoxaparin (Lovenox)
fondaparinux heparin (Arixtra), rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
THE DAY BEFORE YOUR COLONOSCOPY
Begin a CLEAR, LIQUID DIET. No solid food until after your colonoscopy the next day!!
You can drink (Clear Liquids):
Yellow or clear Gatorade, Pedialyte, Powerade, or other sports drink. Do not drink red or purple drinks of any kind (they make it hard to see and can look like blood).
Clear carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks: ginger ale, 7-Up, Sprite.
Clear fruit juices with no pulp: apple juice or white grape juice.
Clear broth or bouillon.
Popsicles. Do not eat red or purple popsicles of any kind (they make it hard to see and can look like blood).
Coffee or tea without milk or creamer.
You SHOULD NOT DRINK:
NO red or purple liquids (they make it hard to see and can look like blood).
NO alcohol.
NO milk or dairy creamers.
NO noodles or rice or vegetables in soup.
NO liquid that you cannot see through.
At noon: mix one (1) 8.3 oz (238 gram) bottle of Miralax Laxative (or the generic laxative) with one (1) 64 oz. bottle of your sport drink. Repeat this for the other 8.3 oz (238 gram) bottle of Miralax Laxative (or the generic laxative) and 64oz bottle of sports drink. Place both mixtures in the refrigerator for later use.
At 5:00PM: Start drinking from one of the 64oz laxative-sports drink mixtures. Drink one (1) 8 oz. glass every 15 minutes until you have completed the entire 64oz mixture. Set a timer for every 15 minutes to keep pace. You can still drink any of the approved liquids noted above.
THE DAY OF YOUR COLONOSCOPY
If your colonoscopy is scheduled BEFORE 12PM: Please begin drinking the second bottle of the already prepared sports drink-laxative mixture at 3:00AM.
Please drink one 8 oz glass of this mixture every 15 minutes to complete the entire 64 oz bottle by 5:30AM. Do not drink any liquids or eat any food after 4:30AM.
If your colonoscopy is scheduled AFTER 12PM: Please begin drinking the second bottle of the already prepared sports drink-laxative mixture at 6:00AM.
Please drink one 8 oz glass of this mixture every 15 minutes to complete the entire 64 oz bottle by 9:00AM. Do not drink any liquids after 10:00AM.
Arrive for your colonoscopy. Please arrive at the time that the scheduling team advised. Your colonoscopy is scheduled to be done at the Highland Hospital Endoscopy Unit. We are located on the Highland Hospital Campus at 1411 East 31st Street, Oakland CA 94602. Our unit is located on the 5th Floor of the Highland Care Pavilion. Patients can be dropped off at the main entrance. Escorts can park in the Highland Care Pavilion parking garage or in the Highland Hospital parking garage.
Your stay. Expect to spend an average of 3 hours with us. From registration to prep to procedure to recovery.
Post-Colonoscopy. You will be sent home with your escort. Rest for the remainder of the day. You may eat a light diet. You can return to normal activities the day after.
CONTACT US / LOCATION
The Highland Hospital Endoscopy Unit
1411 East 31st Street
Highland Care Pavilion, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94602
Scheduling Office: 510-437-8563
ALAMEDA HEALTH SYSTEM COVID-19 TESTING SITE
THE DAY OF YOUR COLONOSCOPY
If your colonoscopy is scheduled BEFORE 12PM: Please begin drinking the second bottle of the already prepared sports drink-laxative mixture at 3:00AM.
Please drink one 8 oz glass of this mixture every 15 minutes to complete the entire 64 oz bottle by 5:30AM. Do not drink any liquids or eat any food after 4:30AM.
If your colonoscopy is scheduled AFTER 12PM: Please begin drinking the second bottle of the already prepared sports drink-laxative mixture at 6:00AM.
Please drink one 8 oz glass of this mixture every 15 minutes to complete the entire 64 oz bottle by 9:00AM. Do not drink any liquids after 9:00AM.
Arrive for your colonoscopy. Please arrive at the time that the scheduling team advised. Your colonoscopy is scheduled to be done at the Highland Hospital Endoscopy Unit. We are located on the Highland Hospital Campus at 1411 East 31st Street, Oakland CA 94602. Our unit is located on the 5th Floor of the Highland Care Pavilion. Patients can be dropped off at the main entrance. Escorts can park in the Highland Care Pavilion parking garage or in the Highland Hospital parking garage.
Your stay. Expect to spend an average of 3 hours with us. From registration to prep to procedure to recovery.
Post-Colonoscopy. You will be sent home with your escort. Rest for the remainder of the day. You may eat a light diet. You can return to normal activities the day after.