Bowel Prep

I'm looking over the notes from my pre op appt with my doctor. The day before my surgery I can only have clear liquids (Broth, Tea, Juice without pulp, clear beverages, Jello, and Italian Ice). Then I begin my bowel prep (Golytely) at 5pm the night before my surgery (2pm the next day).

Am I going to be up all night running to the bathroom? Although my nerves will probably prevent me from sleeping the night before whether or not I had the bowel prep I will definitley not have sleep now. I guess I will be hungry and tired by the time I have to report to the hospital.

Hi!

My only experience with bowel prep was with a colonoscopy a year ago. So I will tell you about that. For me, I was on the toilet almost constantly.. I didn't get a lot of sleep because I was nervous, and yes, I personally continued to be on the pot through the nite. But my friend had the same prep and didn't experience this... so I think it will vary person to person.

CC

I had a bowel prep with a colonscopy and I was only on the toilet for about 3-4 hours.
My doc is having me start my prep at 3pm. I doubt that will be the reason I do not sleep.

I had a bowel prep the day before my TLH/BSO. Per the doctor's instructions, I began the first bottle at 10 a.m. and the second bottle at 2 p.m. I didn't stay in the bathroom with the second bottle as much as the first bottle. I was fairly "free and clear" by 4 p.m.

I was given some advice by an RN friend of mine that I think helped tremendously. No red meat the day before your bowel prep (because it tends to stay longer in the colon) and drink plenty of lemon-lime Gatorade to help replenish the fluids lost during the bowel prep. A nurse at the hospital told me by drinking the Gatorade, she had a easier time inserting the IV than if I had drank anything else other than that or water.

Charlotte

When I had to do a bowel prep using Golytely, I was pretty much finished with the potty after a few hours. It's not much fun but it can be done
Remember to keep the Goylytely as cold as possible and have lots of soft wet wipes handy.

If I had to wait until the afternoon for surgery, I think that I might call the dr and ask if I could have a small amount of clear liquids in the morning. It won't hurt to ask and may help you I was once allowed to have a small cup of coffee ( no sugar or cream ) and a little water. But, please ask first.

Best wishes.

Not only do you need the wipes, but also get some a & d ointment to apply before you start and reapply after each trip to the potty. This will save you from having a very irritated bottom. Make sure whatever drink you get that it is something you will never want to have again. I can not touch lemon/lime anything now. I would suggest too that you ask about having clear liquids the next morning since you have an afternoon surgery.