Preparing for Your Colonoscopy - Bowel Preparation Instructions (Updated July 2020)

Sep 27, 2026

Preparing for a colonoscopy requires timely coordination with Albany Hospital or private Albany Day Hospital and starting bowel preparation ahead of the scheduled procedure. Follow a four-day low fibre diet, transition to thickened fluids with no solids, then only clear fluids the day before, and take Pico-Salax sachets at specified times. Maintain clear fluid intake, watch for watery diarrhoea, and continue usual medications unless instructed otherwise. After the procedure, expect possible minor rectal bleeding and seek urgent care for severe or persistent symptoms.

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Preparing for Your Colonoscopy

Diet schedule before the procedure

Bowel preparation (Pico-Salax) and mixing directions

Special considerations and medication guidance

After the procedure: appointments and when to seek help

PREPARING FOR YOUR COLONOSCOPY You have been assessed as requiring a colonoscopy. For public patients a date for this procedure will be given to you by the Albany Hospital. For patients using your private health you have chosen to go to the private Albany Day Hospital on a date you have selected in consultation with GSSC Admin staff. Approx five days before your procedure date our practice nurse will call you on your nominated phone number to remind you to start your bowel preparation. For public patients she will also advise you what time to present to the Albany Regional Hospital. For Private patients Albany Day Hospital staff will contact you the day before to advise of your admission time. Please ensure you receive this call. A colonoscopy is an examination of the surface of your bowel wall and requires your colon to be clean. To achieve this you need to follow a special diet for FOUR days prior to your procedure date. You will also need to take a bowel preparation formula to cleanse your bowel. The bowel prep which is recommended by our specialists is PICO-SALAX which are available to purchase from our centre or from a local chemist. Please follow these instructions below in order to ensure your bowel is properly cleansed foryour colonoscopy. (NB: If your bowel is not free of all waste (stool) before the procedure, it may affect the results and you may be rescheduled or have to have a repeat scope) ✓ 4 Days before your procedure you will need to start a LOW FIBRE DIET ✓ 3 Days before your procedure continue on the LOW FIBRE DIET ✓ 2 Days before your procedure you need to have SUBSTANTIAL/THICKENED FLUIDS only – NO solid food – pureed food only ✓ The day before your procedure you need to have ONLY CLEAR FLUIDS-NO FOOD *Please see colonoscopy diet enclosed* BOWEL PREPARATION COMMENCES AT 5PM THE DAY BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE – you need to take 3 sachets of pico-salax at different stages Pico-Salax Mixing directions for use: • Immediately before use, mix the contents of one sachet in 150mL of water. • Stir for 2 to 3 minutes – the solution becomes a cloudy white colour. 1st Sachet at 5pm: mix up and drink your first sachet of pico-salax. Follow this with an additional 3 glasses of water during the next 3 hours 2nd Sachet at 8 pm: mix up and drink your second sachet of pico-salax. Follow this with an additional 3 glasses of water during the next hour NB: The time you take your 3rd Sachet depends on when you are expected to be at the hospital o if you are due at the hospital at 7-8.30am the next day take your 3rd sachet at 9pm the day before, with 3 glasses of water o if you are due at the hospital at 9-11am the next day take your 3rd sachet at 5am on the day of the procedure with 3 glasses of water o if you are due at the hospital at 11.30-12 noon (or later) the next day take your 3rd sachet at 6am the day of the procedure with 3 glasses of water During this bowel cleanse, plan for episodes of watery, fairly explosive diarrhoea-like bowel motions Increase clear fluid intake to avoid dehydration. You can continue to have clear fluids up until 2 hours before admission to hospital. To avoid chafing, use disposable baby wipes or water to rinse, instead of toilet paper. Eventually the colour of your diarrhoea will begin to get lighter, which is one indicator that the bowel is getting cleaner. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS Unless instructed otherwise, please take your usual medication with a sip of water prior to the procedure. This includes aspirin and diabetic medication. If you are on insulin please with-hold your morning dose of insulin the day of colonoscopy – you should be placed first on the list by the hospital. Ceasing Specific Medication Your specialist would have advised you when (or if) to cease these (a guide is below); however please discuss this with the Nurse. Private Patients- In addition this information was written on your Private Day Hospital Form confirming your da

FAQs

What diet should I follow in the four days before my colonoscopy?

Start a low fibre diet 4 days before, continue it for 3 days before, then have only substantial/thickened fluids with no solid food for 2 days before. The day before, have only clear fluids and no food.

How do I take and mix Pico-Salax for bowel cleansing?

Mix one sachet immediately in 150 mL of water, stir for 2 to 3 minutes until the solution is cloudy white, then drink it at the scheduled times. Drink additional water as instructed after each sachet.

What should I do about my usual medications before the procedure?

Unless told otherwise, take usual medications with a sip of water prior to the procedure, including aspirin and diabetic medication. If on insulin, withhold the morning dose on the day of colonoscopy and be placed first on the hospital list.

Sep 27, 2026

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