Patient Instructions

Review dietary instructions to prepare for your procedure as explained by your doctor.
Pick up prep medication from your pharmacy in advance for a colonoscopy.
Make any medication changes as recommended by your doctor. Certain medications such as blood thinners and diabetes medications may need to be stopped prior to the procedure.
If you need special assistance, are not fluent in English, or require a sign language interpreter, please let the physician’s office know so arrangements can be made to assist you.
Please notify your doctor of any change in your medical condition, or if fever or other illness develops. If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, notify your physician as soon as possible.

Follow the dietary guidelines and prep instructions given to you by your doctor.
Do not smoke or drink alcohol for 24 hours prior to your procedure.

Continue to follow the dietary guidelines and prep instructions given to you by your doctor.
At The Endoscopy Center of New York, our staff and physicians are focused on maintaining an efficient schedule in order to avoid long wait times for our patients. To assist in maintaining our schedule, please arrive at the facility at your appointed time.

Please bring your insurance card and a photo ID.
Bring a current list of all your medications with dosages and how often you take them (including prescriptions, over-the-counter, herbals, patches, inhalers, eye drops, supplements, vitamins, Aspirin, and Oxygen). If you are instructed by your doctor or nurse to take your morning medications, you may do so with a SIP OF WATER ONLY.

Please leave all valuables such as jewelry and electronics at home or with your escort during the procedure.
Wear loose/comfortable clothing that can be stored easily.
If you wear glasses, contact lenses, dentures, or a hearing aid, bring along a case to put them in during your procedure.
If you have sleep apnea and own a CPAP or BiPAP machine, please bring the machine with you and discuss it with your physician on the date of your procedure.

You must have a responsible adult take you home.
You will get to speak to your physician about the procedure findings and next steps.
Prior to discharge you will be given written post-procedural instructions. It is important that you understand the instructions. The nurses will answer any questions that you have.
After your procedure, do not plan to resume normal activities until the following day due to the effect of the sedation. Do not drive, return to work, or operate machinery or power tools. Do not make important personal or business decisions, sign legal papers, or perform any activity that depends on your full concentrating power or mental judgment.
Rarely, some abdominal discomfort may occur after your procedure as well as minimal blood in the stool. If the abdominal pain continues to intensify or is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, or significant bleeding, please call your doctor’s office directly to speak with the doctor on call.