FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in a CLEAR LIQUID DIET?
Anything that you can physically see through. Water, Clear fruit juice, Carbonated beverages, Gatorade, coffee or tea (no creamer). Plain gelatin (no additives), popsicles, clear bouillon and broth. Hard candy and gum. Please avoid any of these with RED OR PURPLE coloring. ONLY CLEAR LIQUIDS THE DAY BEFORE AND THE DAY OF YOUR PROCEDURE. 

Can I drink Alcohol the night before?
It is not recommended.

I started my prep but have not had a bowel movement yet?
It is not uncommon for your first bowel movement to occur several hours after you begin your prep. 

What should I do if I experience bloating, nausea, or vomiting during my prep?
Take thirty minutes to one-hour break from your prep, then restart your prep at the same pace as originally instructed. Drink plenty of other clear liquids. Do the best that you can and if all else fails, call the on-call physician at 877-2105.

Can I drive after my procedure?
NO, you must have someone with you that is able to drive you home due to the effects of the deep sedation you received during your procedure. You may not drive the rest of the day. 

How long should I expect to be at the Endoscopy Center?
You should expect to be at the center on Miccosukee Rd. for approximately one and a half hours from the time of your arrival.  

Will I feel pain during the procedure?
Everyone’s response to pain is different. We use Monitored, Conscious Sedation for all procedures at the Endoscopy Center. This is administered by a Registered nurse under the direct care and order of a physician. Some people are amazed to wake in the recovery room with little or no recollection of the procedure. 

Where will the results of my test be sent?
A report will be sent to your referring physician or health care professional. If any tissue was taken at the time of the procedure, the results will be also forwarded.

Is the procedure covered by my insurance plan?
In almost all cases, colonoscopy is covered by insurance plans and Medicare. The amount of Co-Payments will depend on your individual insurance plan. Pre-certification is done by our scheduling department. If there is a problem, you will be notified well in advance of your procedure in most cases.

How long does the procedure itself take?
The colonoscopy takes about 20-30 minutes, but can vary depending on several factors. (Including: the number of polyps found, whether or not the colon is twisty, presence of scar tissue in the abdomen from previous surgery, etc. The upper endoscopy usually takes about 15 minutes.  

Will I be completely asleep during the procedure?
You may fall asleep during the procedure, but you will be easily roused. You will be breathing on your own without assistance. This is called “conscious sedation”. This level of sedation is usually adequate to control discomfort. 

What parts of the intestine are examined during the procedure?
Colonoscopy is designed and intended to examine only the colon. However, occasionally the end of the small intestine that connects to the colon may be examined. 

Why do I need to discontinue vitamins, herbal medications and other nonprescription medications?
Some products may interfere with the sedatives given for the procedure. Other medications can increase the risk of bleeding complication because they may act like “blood thinners”.

If my procedure is scheduled for late morning or afternoon, can I eat or drink anything that day?
NO SOLID FOODS ARE ALLOWED THE DAY BEFORE OR THE DAY OF YOUR PROCEDURE. You may have clear liquids the day before and the day of your exam, up until 3 hours prior to your procedure. Failure to follow the instructions may result in rescheduling your procedure. 

What does Recovery involve?
You will be moved to the recovery area, where your family/friend is waiting for you. You will be observed until you are ready for discharge. If you have a colonoscopy, then one requirement is to expel air out of your bottom. The air will cause your abdomen to be tight and crampy. If you have an upper endoscopy, there is little involved in recovery. You may experience a slight sore or scratchy throat the following day. Routine comfort measures (lozenges, warm salty water) are recommended. 

When can I get my test results?
The doctor who performs the test will have a general idea of your results, which will be explained to you and your family/friend before you leave. If a tissue sample was collected during the procedure, it will be sent to the lab for further analysis. You can then check those results in 7-10 days by calling the office or by checking the patient portal. 

What should I bring and wear?
Bring your insurance cards and photo ID. Bring a responsible adult to drive you home. Bring your payment for deductibles and/or co-payments. Wear comfortable clothing – elastic waste bands are best. We ask that you not wear jewelry of any type or kind to your appointment. 

Do I have to have sedation?
No, we highly recommend that you do unless there are extenuating factors, but you can choose not to have sedation if you prefer. 

How long does the procedure take?
It generally takes less than half and hour. 

How long does it take to recover?
Most people feel okay when they get into the recovery area but can take up to a half hour pending on your response to the sedation. 

Can I travel the day after the procedure?
YES, Occasionally, however, patient will be asked to restrict travel for various reasons.  

What do I do if I lose my instructions?
You may go to the DDC website or TEC website and retrieve a copy of your prep instructions or call the office and request a copy to be emailed to you. 

What if there are complications?
If a complication is encountered during or right after the procedure, appropriate measures are taken which may include transferring you to the hospital for observation. (Your discharge instructions will advise you of what to do in the event that you experience problems once you have returned home.) 

What should my stools look like?
Once you have completed your prep, your stool should look just like urine coming out of your rectum. It should be clear with a yellowish/green tinge to it. If your stools are brown and thick or you have vomited up at least half of your prep – then you need to call someone prior to coming in. The on-call physician can be reached at the 877-2105 number. 

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