5 hours before the time you were told to be at the facility:

• Drink the last 2 litres of the CoLyte® solution within 2 hours. Drink 1 glass, about 250 mL (8 ounces) every 15 minutes. Depending on the time you need to arrive for your test, you might have to get up early to do this. For example, if you were told to come at 10 am, start drinking the solution at 5 am.
• If you have loose, watery stools after drinking 2 to 3 litres, it doesn’t mean that you can stop drinking the solution. There could still be solid stool in your large bowel. Make sure you drink all 4 litres of the solution.
• Keep drinking clear fluids before and after drinking the solution so that you do not become dehydrated.

Check Your Stool:

• When the last 2 litres of the solution is working, your stool should be liquid. It should be yellow and clear, like urine. 

2 hours before the time you were told to be at the facility:

• Stop drinking anything. If you have to take any prescription medicine within the 2 hours before arriving at the facility, you can take it with a sip of water, unless you have been told something different.

Before you to go to the facility:

• Please bring your Alberta Healthcare Card and picture identification the facility like a driver’s license.
• Bring any medication you were told to bring with you like an inhaler or insulin.
• Leave all valuables at home like credit cards, money, and jewelry.

When you arrive for your test:

• Please be at the reception desk at your designated time.
• You should plan to be at the facility for about 2 to 3 hours. Do not make plans for the rest of the day in case your test is delayed. Your patience is appreciated as sometimes these delays are unexpected.
• A nurse will take you into another area, where you will change into a hospital gown. The nurse will review the medicine you take, any allergies you have, and check your blood pressure and pulse.
• If you have questions about your colonoscopy ask the nurse or doctor before your procedure.
• An intravenous (IV) will be started in a vein in your hand or arm.
• If you are having sedation medicine it will be given through the IV.
• The colonoscopy is done by your doctor and usually takes 20 to 45 minutes.

After your test

• The results of your colonoscopy will be reviewed with you after your test. If no polyps are found you will be told when to have your next screening test.
• If polyps are found it is important that you make an appointment with your family doctor to review the results and find out what follow up is needed.
• You will be given colonoscopy discharge instructions after your procedure.

At home:

• You can go back to work the next day.
• You can start to eat your normal diet after the colonoscopy.
• It is not a good idea to plan air travel or long-distance travel within 2 weeks of your colonoscopy. You may not be covered by your travel insurance if you have a complication from your colonoscopy and are out of the province or country. Please check with your travel insurance provider.