HELP - Bowel Prep

Help, what do they do if your bowel still isn't clean as they want it. Threw up the last bit of the guck yesterday. Has anyone gone through this? My surgery is in 7 hours.

Kelly

Well, I was worried so I decided to phone the hospital. My brain isn't working too clearly as I have been on a liquid diet for 2 days and normally I eat like a horse so you can imagine how my energy is right now.

Anyhow, not only did I have to do the bowel prep 2 times over 2 days but I am also scheduled for an enema on the day of the surgery. The nurse said not to worry.

That's reassuring but now I know I have another procedure to do at "that end" no doubt. Oh joy!

I'm really going to be light-headed for surgery.

There has been some questions about the bowel prep diet before surgery, mine was:

- Gateraid
- Apple juice
- Cranberry juice
- Clear broth soups
- Jello
- Popsicles
- Water
- Herbal Tea, oh and lucky me, wait for it......
- Sugar!

I even asked if I could take Coke or Pepsi with the Phosphate bowel solution (I phoned 3 different pharmacies) and was told no because it wasn't clear. I tried to argue to say that if I held either up to a bright light that one would be able to see through the liquid. Still no luck....they said NO. Urghhh....

The thought that keeps coming to my mind is "I can hardly wait but not really".

Thanks everyone, Kelly

That was good thinking to phone and check. It should take that extra worry off your mind. Don't stress about the enema, I had one at the hospital too and it wasn't that bad.

Best wishes, I'll be praying that all goes well for you.

S

I did the magnesium citrate..and let me tell you..ugg! between wanting to be sick, knowing I still had another bottle to do, and waiting..waiting..waiting..waiting for it to work it was awful. I ended up only drinking about 1 3/4 bottles. the nurses in pre-op said i did a good job. I was still racing to the potty up to leaving for surgery. My big fear was to have my bowels relax with anesthesia and poop on the op table. I did not ask if it happened. If so..don't want to know.

My surgery lasted 3 hours and there was a lot of bowel manipulation so I was glad to have done the prep. Would still complain about it if i had to do it again.

Tips on mag citrate..

1. drink like you're on fear factor..the taste is nasty. Also, don't lick your lips afterwards..the taste is still there and it isn't a wonderful surprise.

2. it takes a while..lay down for a moment (this is all the sleep you'll get between worrying, getting ready, and pottying)

3. when it starts to work...WALK..WALK..WALK.. walk around the house, walk up and down the stairs, get on the treadmill real slow. The more you move, the faster it works. This way when you're walking to pre-op, getting into the car, doing stuff,, you're not racing to the potty. Also, if you have early surgery..make sure you check out where the closest potty is to where you are signing in. This is not the time to be hunting..if you get my meaning. (yes, this is from experience)

Good luck and best wishes