Anyone dreading "bowel prep?"

I was given a prescription & instructions for "bowel prep" before surgery...although I still don't have the date confirmed(around Nov.23rd). A kind sister pointed out that the "phosphosoda" should be as cold as possibebefore drinking & sipped through a straw because it's totally vile & disgusting!" another part I'm not looking forward too is the "fleet enema" which I have to give myself the evening before surgery!

Hi. The phosphosoda is awful!! Some people can tolerate it better than others. I recently tried the new Lipton Green Tea w/Lemon and it tasted exactly like the phosphosoda that is flavored Ginger/Lemon. So, if you like that tea-you might not have trouble with the taste of the phosphosoda If you haven't tried the tea, give it a taste and you might like it and if you don't, it might at least give you some idea of what it will taste like.

Outside of the taste of the prep and the sore bottom, doing the prep isn't all that bad if you can have a good book to read while "doing the duty" on the potty! Try using some Tucks wipes instead of toilet paper- they really help with the soreness. If you can handle the drinking part of the prep, the enema will be a breeze! In my opinion, drinking the stuff is the worst part.

One more thing-if your instructions say you can use a "chaser" after the phosphosoda and your list includes white grape juice, use it! It REALLY helps!! I used unflavored phosphosoda for my colonoscopy a couple of weeks ago and my doctor's instructions were that I could drink either cranberry, grape or apple juice as a chaser. I chose white grape and I could not believe how fast it zapped that phosphosoda taste!! It was amazing!! I wish I had known it for all the other preps I've had to do!!

Anyway, I was wanting to offer some advice. I urge you to follow your doctor's instructions to the T because he/she knows exactly what needs done!!

Mori,
Actually I prefer the phososoda to the nasty nulytely stuff. At least with the phososoda it is over quickly. When I had to use the phososoda I was told I could mix it with a juice of choice. If you can do that, it may help with the taste. Always check with your doctor for specific instructions.

I had to do two enemas before my hysterectomy. They really weren't that bad.

Best wishes on your upcoming surgery.

PS - the one good thing about the phosphosoda it that it's a pretty small bottle. About 1 cup's worth I think.

I wish I had known the white grape juice trick!

I get to be on liquid diet tomorrow and drink a bottle of the phospho-soda too. Yay! I got some apple juice, white cranberry/peach and have chicken broth on hand for my *meals*. Hopefully it won't be too bad.

It's probably a good "crash diet" & because only liquids are allowed, It sounds like you can lose at least 5 pounds!

well, i'll be doing that tomorrow as my surgery is thursday. glad i came on to read this stuff, got some good tips! thanks everyone!

Dear Mori,
If you can't find Tucks for the "potti duty" baby wipes work just as well. Lots of luck. Rose (summerhill)

I am having a tah on Nov. 8th and went for pre-op yesterday and was not told anything about bowel prep is this normal. I have read alot about it on here from most everyone and was wondering if maybe it was something they overlooked at pre-op.

Well .....I just drank my phospo....I mixed it with sprite and it tasted like alkaselltzer!!!!!!! I didn't really care for it!!! Maybe something besides sprite!!lol