COLONOSCOPY INSTRUCTIONS - THE WHITE DIET (DOUBLE DOSE MOVIPREP) - BOWEL PREPARATION

Q: How long does the colonoscopy and recovery planning take, and when will I be ready to go home?

The procedure time is approximately 20–30 minutes. After your hospital arrival, allow 2–3 hours before you will be ready to go home, and arrange for someone to drive you afterward.

Q: What is the white diet and what clear fluids are allowed after starting Moviprep?

Follow the WHITE DIET all day until you start drinking Moviprep. Once you start Moviprep, only CLEAR FLUIDS are allowed, including water, clear soda/mineral water, cordial, sports drinks (not red/purple/blue), lemonade, apple juice (no pulp), black coffee/tea, and clear soup such as clear chicken broth.

Q: Which medications must be stopped or adjusted before the colonoscopy?

Stop iron tablets, Imodium, and Gastrostop 7 days before. For blood thinners, seek advice at least 10 days prior (aspirin can be continued). If you have diabetes or take insulin, seek advice on management, and avoid diabetes medication on the day before the procedure; if you use the Oral Contraceptive Pill, use additional contraception for 7 days after starting bowel preparation.

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by pixelkiddo

Clear, step-by-step guidance for preparing for a colonoscopy using a white diet and double-dose Moviprep. Covers expected procedure and arrival timing, what to bring, how sedation affects you afterward, and when to seek urgent medical help. Explains colonoscopy safety, what bowel preparation accomplishes, required medication changes (iron, Imodium, Gastrostop, blood thinners, diabetes and oral contraceptives), and detailed drinking schedules with allowed clear fluids.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Key Information

What is a colonoscopy?

Is Colonoscopy safe?

What Bowel Preparation is required?

What do I need to bring?

What happens afterwards?

Bowel Preparation

Medication

Diet Instructions

The day before your colonoscopy

Bowel Preparation Instructions

The day before

On the day

COLONOSCOPY INSTRUCTIONS, THE WHITE DIET (DOUBLE DOSE MOVIPREP) Key Information • The procedure time will be approximately 20-30 minutes • The arrival time will be confirmed with you 1-2 days beforehand by the hospital • Allow 2-3 hours from your arrival time before you will be ready to go home • Ensure you have someone to drive you home afterwards • You must follow the separate colonoscopy instructions to prepare for the colonoscopy • On the day your doctor will see you before and after the procedure to discuss the results • You will receive a hard copy of the report. The report and all results will also be sent to your GP What is a colonoscopy? A colonoscopy enables your doctor to examine the lining of the colon (large bowel) . Under sedation, a flexible tube is gently passed via the anus into the colon. A tissue biopsy may be taken, or polyps removed. Colonoscopy is the best test to assess for bowel polyps, inflammation or cancer. Is Colonoscopy safe? Colonoscopy is a safe and well-tolerated procedure. You may feel temporary bloating following the procedure due to inflation of the bowel during the procedure. Occasionally there may be nausea or light-headedness following the anaesthetic. Serious complications are rare, but may include: o Aspiration- (stomach contents enter the lings) <1% cases o Bleeding - if a polyp is removed – this may occur up to 2 weeks following the procedure and rarely requires hospitalisation or further procedures to stop the bleeding; uncommon with most colonoscopy procedures <2% cases, very rare from biopsies o Infection-rare o Perforation (a hole in the bowel) which may require surgery rare – less than 1:3000 What Bowel Preparation is required? For the procedure to be accurate, the colon must be completely clean. This is achieved by following the colonoscopy instructions you will be provided with. The Preparation will cause diarrhoea to clean the colon. This is available to purchase without a script at your local pharmacy What do I need to bring? You will need to bring your doctor’s referral (if open access), health fund and Medicare cards. Wear loose fitting clothing and leave jewellery and valuables at home. What happens afterwards? You may be drowsy for several hours following the sedation. A friend or family member must drive you home and stay with you till the next day. Your procedure may be cancelled if this has not been organised. You must not drive until the following day or longer if you drive a commercial licence. You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience any severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood, difficulty breathing, fevers/chills, or any other symptoms you are concerned about. Alternatively, present to the closest emergency department If you have any questions please call Victorian Gut Centre on 03 9466 8466 COLONOSCOPY INSTRUCTIONS, THE WHITE DIET (DOUBLE DOSE MOVIPREP) BOWEL PREPARATION • You will need to obtain two boxes of “MOVIPREP”(enough to make 4 litres) . This is available at your local pharmacy without a prescription • The preparation can be made-up and chilled in the fridge before hand, if preferred • For a successful colonoscopy, it is very important that the large bowel be totally clean. Please follow the instructions carefully for the best possible results MEDICATION • Stop iron tablets, Imodium and Gastrostop 7 days before the colonoscopy • Blood thinning medications: Please seek advice at least 10 days prior to the colonoscopy. Aspirin can be continued. • Diabetic medications: please seek advice on how to manage diabetes medication and insulin • If you take the Oral Contraceptive Pill you should use additional contraception for 7 days after the bowel preparation is commenced as the pill’s absorption may be temporarily affected. DIET INSTRUCTIONS: | THE DAY BEFORE YOUR COLONOSCOPY | | --- | | • Follow the WHITE DIET all day until you start drinking MOVIPREP (see instructions over page)

FAQs

How long does the colonoscopy and recovery planning take, and when will I be ready to go home?

The procedure time is approximately 20–30 minutes. After your hospital arrival, allow 2–3 hours before you will be ready to go home, and arrange for someone to drive you afterward.

What is the white diet and what clear fluids are allowed after starting Moviprep?

Follow the WHITE DIET all day until you start drinking Moviprep. Once you start Moviprep, only CLEAR FLUIDS are allowed, including water, clear soda/mineral water, cordial, sports drinks (not red/purple/blue), lemonade, apple juice (no pulp), black coffee/tea, and clear soup such as clear chicken broth.

Which medications must be stopped or adjusted before the colonoscopy?

Stop iron tablets, Imodium, and Gastrostop 7 days before. For blood thinners, seek advice at least 10 days prior (aspirin can be continued). If you have diabetes or take insulin, seek advice on management, and avoid diabetes medication on the day before the procedure; if you use the Oral Contraceptive Pill, use additional contraception for 7 days after starting bowel preparation.

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by pixelkiddo