Colonoscopy and Atkins

[considerate]

I am having this procedure done on Fri and was giving a list of things that I would have to drink and eat on this liquid diet that may not be atkins friendly. Can anyone help me on this. (Example: popsicles, bouillion, jello ) they stated I can not drink water by itself. I have to include this other items. Juice, grape or apple. Can I drink the sugar free kind. Someone please help, i don't want to mess up my diet.

[flpooh19701]

Originally Posted by considerate

I am having this procedure done on Fri and was giving a list of things that I would have to drink and eat on this liquid diet that may not be atkins friendly. Can anyone help me on this. (Example: popsicles, bouillion, jello ) they stated I can not drink water by itself. I have to include this other items. Juice, grape or apple. Can I drink the sugar free kind. Someone please help, i don't want to mess up my diet.

I had a colonoscopy a few years back. It's odd that the doctors office would tell you you couldn't drink clear water. That list is supposed to be to tell you what you can eat. They don't want you eating/drinking anything with purple/red dyes because it can show as blood in your intestinal tract. Give your doctors office a call and ask about the sugar free issue. I don't think that will be a problem but you should always go with what your doc says first. Also, ask why you aren't supposed to drink just clear water. It may clearup any misunderstandings in that area. BTW.. if you haven't had this procedure before, the prep is the worst part. The test itself is a breeze and incidentally, I woke up during mine.
Watched the whole thing.

[alise]

Hi considerate,

I'm a Licensed Practical Nurse and from 7/06 to 4/08 I worked as clinic nurse in a gastroenterologist office. I also worked in the recovery room of the endoscopy center. When we gave patient's instructions for their colonscopy prep we always let them know that they could mix it with any clear liquid (sprite, white grape juice, ginger ale, etc) including sugar free products such as crystal light. We also told them not to mix it with their favorite drink as they would never consider it their favorite again after completing the prep (ha).

If a patient was having the procedure in the morning they were instructed to discontinue any blood thinning medications 7 days prior and to stop eating seeds, nuts, and popcorn 3 days prior. The day prior to the procedure patients were instructed to eat a light breakfast and to start a clear liquid diet at noon. At 5:30 pm they would start their prep so they could be completed no later than 10:00 p.m.

If the patient was having the procedure in the afternoon the instructions were the same except they would start their clear liquid diet at 6:00 p.m the night prior and start the prep at 6:00 a.m the morning of their procedure.

You can Google "clear liquid diet" for some examples of what is acceptable. Keep in mind it must not be red or contain red dye as it may look like blood in the colon when the doctor is perusing your colon.

Good luck and enjoy the conscious sedation. Bye the way... many patients are awake during the procedure. Fortunately, by the time they reach the recovery room they've forgotten they had the procedure.