Some reassurance to pre-op sisters about bowel prep

Before my surgery last Monday, I was more worried and upset about the enemas I had been told to do than about the surgery itself. I really dreaded this part. I just wanted to let you know that if any of you have to do this, it is not nearly as bad as you think it is going to be. I was told by another sister here to prop my legs up on the side of the tub while lying on my back, and that's the way I did it. I took a magazine in the bathroom with me, did the enema and laid in the floor reading until it really started working. In hindsight, I think the enemas are probably a much easier and nicer way to do the bowel prep than to drink the Magnesium Citrate (which I have heard tastes awful). Take care all and best wishes.

Janet

This is a suggestion that I have heard, also, and I understand it does work well.

Bowel preps aren't "fun" no matter which method is used, but just be certain to follow your doc's instructions. If your doc says you need to drink the Mag Citrate (or whatever), don't try to substitute enemas for what you were instructed to do. You need to come to the hospital prepared the way your doctor expects. The drink methods really completely clean out your system, but enemas don't always accomplish that. So if your doc thinks you've taken the mag citrate, he/she will expect you to be really "clean".

As for me -- quite honestly, I would have preferred the icky drink to the enemas I had to do once I got to the hospital (no bowel prep the day before, though). But everyone reacts differently to these things.

to all.