Surgical Services

Rangely District Hospital

General Instructions for Extended Bowel Preparation

Important: Please read these instructions carefully. Failure to follow them may result in the delay or cancellation of your procedure for safety reasons.

Before Your Procedure

• Transportation Requirement
  You must arrange for a responsible adult (18 years or older) to drive you home after your procedure.
  You will not be permitted to drive yourself.
• Anesthesia Restrictions
  You will receive anesthesia. For the remainder of the day following your procedure, you may not:
  • Return to work
  • Drive or operate machinery
  • Sign important or legal documents
  • Make significant decisions
  • Consume alcohol or recreational drugs
• Medication Management
  Certain medications may need to be temporarily stopped or adjusted prior to your procedure.
  • If you take blood thinners, antidiabetic medications, or weight loss medications, specific instructions will be provided during your pre-procedure phone call.
  • If you are diabetic and use insulin, dosage adjustments may be required and will be discussed during your pre-procedure phone call.
  • If you are taking a GLP-1 medication, you must stop this medication one (1) week prior to your procedure, or as instructed by the RN during your pre-procedure phone call.
• Hydration
  Drink plenty of fluids and stay well hydrated during and after your bowel preparation.
• Nothing by Mouth (NPO)
  After completing your bowel prep, do not take anything by mouth, including:
  • Food or liquids
  • Ice
  • Gum or breath mints
  • Chewing tobacco
  • Smoking
• Arrival Time
  Please arrive 1 hour prior to your scheduled procedure time and check in at the registration desk. Surgical Services staff will escort you to the department.

Questions or Rescheduling

If you need to reschedule your procedure or have questions regarding preparation instructions or medications, please contact the Surgical Services Department at:
970-675-4232 or 970-675-5011 ext. 149

Surgical Services

Rangely District Hospital

MiraLAX / Gatorade / Magnesium Citrate – Extended Bowel Prep Instructions

Seven (7) Days Before Your Colonoscopy

• Take one capful of MiraLAX twice daily.
• This MiraLAX must be purchased in addition to the MiraLAX provided in your prep kit.

Prep Supplies

You will receive a basic prep kit at no charge from the Rangely District Hospital Pharmacy (Gatorade not included). The kit contains:

• Three (3) 119 g bottles of MiraLAX powder
• One (1) 10 oz bottle of Magnesium Citrate

You will need to purchase the following:

• Three (3) 28 oz bottles of Gatorade
• One (1) 238 g bottle of MiraLAX

One (1) Day Before Your Procedure

• Follow a clear liquid diet only for the entire day.
• A clear liquid diet includes liquids you can see through clearly, such as:
  • Black coffee or tea (no creamer)
  • Clear broth
  • Juices without pulp
  • Plain popsicles
  • Clear soda
  • Plain gelatin
  • Plain or flavored water
  • Sports drinks

Do NOT consume:

• Solid foods
• Alcohol
• Dairy products
• Juices with pulp
• Red or purple liquids

How to Prepare the Bowel Prep

• Mix one bottle of MiraLAX into one bottle of Gatorade.
• Repeat this step for the second and third bottles.
• For best taste, refrigerate the mixed solutions for at least one hour before drinking.

Bowel Prep Schedule

• 4:00 p.m. (Day Before Procedure):
  Drink the bottle of Magnesium Citrate.
• 6:00 p.m. (Day Before Procedure):
  Drink two bottles of the MiraLAX/Gatorade mixture.
  Tip: Drink approximately 10 oz every 10–15 minutes until finished.
• Five (5) Hours Before Your Procedure:
  Drink the third bottle of the MiraLAX/Gatorade mixture.

What to Expect

• You should experience loose stools or mild diarrhea approximately one hour after starting the prep.
• Bloating or stomach discomfort may occur before bowel movements begin.
• If nausea occurs, slow the pace of drinking the solution.
• A successful bowel prep will result in clear, yellow liquid stools.

Additional Instructions

• Do not take any oral medications within one (1) hour before starting the prep solution. 

 

Download Full PDF Instructions Here 

Colonoscopy GLP Extended Prep .pdf