Bowel Prep?????

Ok, I feel really dumb. I have no idea what a bowel prep is. Can someone please enlighten me? I've only had major surgery once before, and I was six years old. I don't remember too much from it, just lot's of vomiting.

TIA
Tonya

Bowl Prep is following a clear liquid diet the day befor surgery and taking a form of liquid laxative. Your doctor should tell you the one to get. You will drink this (several Ounces) and than in about 2-4 hours you will be running to the bathroom for a few hours. I have to do it too for my surgery..

Thank you. I thought it was something like that, just not too sure. That doesn't sound like a very fun day at all.

No, it is not fun! But, not everyone has to do one either! I didn't before my hyst, but I did before my colonoscopy last year, and it included a TWO day clear liquid diet.

Talk to your doctor about what you will need to do and follow his/her directions to the T!

Best wishes to you!

I was another lucky one who didn't have to do a bowel prep! There were no eating restrictions at all the day before surgery ~ just a 'light' breakfast and nothing after 7am on the morning of surgery. It seems to entirely depend on the views/routine of the individual surgeon.

There are different preps.
I'm starting mine in the morning.
fluids only from midnight the day before surgery and I have to take the Go-lightly, you drink 8oz every 10 mins for about 4 hours. It really cleans you out and you become very good friends with your bathroom. Infact I just asked my DH if we could hook up the TV in there for me...

The bowel prep isn't too bad once you get past the taste of it. After my surgery, I was glad I had done it. Having a bowel movement wasn't at the top of my list right after abdominal surgery and luckily I didn't have anything to "move" for several days. By the time I did have a BM, I had a few days behind me and it wasn't as scary.

I just got the instructions from my doctor about bowel prep.
Fleet phospho something...mixed with ginger ale........two times the day before surgery.(9AM and 5PM) Also, complete liquid diet the entire day.
I had planned on going to work but I think I will stay home since I will be running to the bathroom every few hours.

My surgery is Friday morning and my only instructions are nothing by mouth after midnight.
No diet restrictions. No bowel prep.
I do plan to eat "somewhat" lighter on Thursday, but that is by choice. I will be living it up on Wednesday!

I have to do the bowel prep. Nothing but clear liquid stuff (chicken broth, sprite, etc.) all day Wednesday and then the laxative drink stuff that evening, then nothing in the mouth past midnight. Then my surgery isn't until 2:00 Thursday afternoon!! It's going to be a hard morning. LOL