An Update Regarding Seasonal Illnesses

To help prevent the spread of seasonal respiratory illnesses, we strongly encourage all visitors to wear a mask while in ambulatory clinics or inpatient units. Surgical masks are available at hospital and clinic entrances. Patients with respiratory illnesses should also wear masks. Thank you for helping protect our patients, staff, and community.

Download this information as a PDF

The day you schedule your appointment

  • Plan time off of work for the day of your colonoscopy.
  • You MUST have an escort to come into the hospital and take you home after the colonoscopy. Please start making these arrangements.

Seven Days Before Your Appointment

  • If you are taking Iron pills (e.g. Ferrous sulfate), stop taking them until after the test.
  • Take all of your other usual medications

Two Days Before Your Appointment

  • Drink plenty of liquids - at least 8 glasses of water/fluids today
  • STOP eating high fiber foods such as vegetables and beans until after your test. You can eat all other types of foods today.

The Day Before Your Appointment

  • DO NOT EAT ANY SOLID FOOD OR THICK LIQUIDS AFTER 12 PM NOON.
  • YOU MAY HAVE A CLEAR LIQUID DIET ONLY
  • Examples of CLEAR LIQUIDS are: water, apple juice, clear broth, Jell-O, tea/coffee without

    milk/cream, sodas, sports drinks, and popsicles, but nothing red colored.

The Day of Your Appointment

  • Do not eat or drink anything on the morning of your procedure.
  • Dress in loose fitting, two-piece clothing
  • If you have diabetes: Take half the dose of your insulin on the day of procedure and skip diabetes pill(s) unless directed otherwise. You should check your blood sugar level in the morning.
  • Take all of your other regular medications at least two hours prior to your test.

If you cannot keep this appointment or have questions, please call 617-638-6525.