Please refer to patient forms first as this is just general exam preparation.

ERCP Exam Preparation

Your stomach and duodenum must be empty for the procedure to be accurate and safe. You will not be able to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the procedure. Also, the physician will need to know whether you have any allergies, especially to iodine, which is in the dye. You must also arrange for someone to take you home—you will not be allowed to drive because of the sedatives. The physician may give you other special instructions.

EGD Upper Endoscopy Preparation

Your stomach and duodenum must be empty for the procedure to be thorough and safe, so you will not be able to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the procedure. Also, you must arrange for someone to take you home—you will not be allowed to drive because of the sedatives. Your physician may give you other special instructions.

Colonoscopy Preparation

Your stomach and duodenum must be empty for the procedure to be thorough and safe, so you will not be able to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the procedure. Also, you must arrange for someone to take you home—you will not be allowed to drive because of the sedatives. Your physician may give you other special instructions.

  • Chicken/beef broth
  • Clear apple juice, white cranberry, or white grape juice
  • Plain tea or coffee (no creamer)
  • Clear soda (sprite, ginger ale)
  • Jello-0 (no red flavoring)
  • Popsicles
  • Gatorade (no red flavoring)
  • Water

Thorough cleansing of the bowel is necessary before a colonoscopy. Your physician will provide you with complete instructions for your bowel preparation prior to your procedure. Be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions you have or medications you take on a regular basis such as:

  • Aspirin or non-steroidal medications
  • Blood thinners
  • Diabetes medication
  • Vitamins that contain iron

The medical staff will also want to know if you have heart disease, lung disease, or any medical condition that may need special attention. You must also arrange for someone to take you home afterward, because you will not be allowed to drive or leave alone after being sedated.

Capsule Endoscopy Preparation

This procedure involves ingesting the size of a large vitamin. The capsule will pass naturally through your digestive system while taking pictures of the intestine. The images are transferred to the SensorArray with is placed on your abdomen. The SensorArray records data which saves all the images. This device is worn around your waist like an IPOD or a type of music player. After 8 hours you will return the Recorder to us for processing. The capsule is disposable and will be excreted naturally in your bowel movement.

The Day Before Capsule Endoscopy

  • You will have to follow a liquid diet for the entire day before the capsule endoscopy, and occasionally will have to take a bowel prep.
  • Do not take any medication beginning 2 hours before undergoing Capsule Endoscopy.
  • Abstain from smoking 24 hours prior to undergoing Capsule Endoscopy.

The Day of Capsule Endoscopy

  • Arrive at your physician’s office at the prescribed time for your Capsule Endoscopy dressed in loose fitting, two-piece clothing.
  • At your physician’s office, you will have a pre-procedure interview. During this interview you should be informed that Capsule Endoscopy is associated with a small chance of intestinal obstruction. You will be checked-in and asked to give your informed consent.
  • The SensorArray will be applied to your abdomen with adhesive pads and will be connected to the DataRecorder which you will wear in a belt around your waist. After that you will be instructed to ingest the PillCam® Capsule.

After Ingesting the PillCam® Capsule

After ingesting the PillCam® Capsule, do not eat or drink for at least 2 hours. After 4 hours you may have a light snack. After the examination is completed, you may return to your normal diet. The above instructions related to eating apply, unless your physician specifies otherwise. Contact your physician immediately if you suffer from any abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting during Capsule Endoscopy.

After ingesting the PillCam® Capsule and until it is excreted, you should not be near any source of powerful electromagnetic fields such as one created near an MRI device or amateur (ham) radio.

Occasionally, some images may be lost due to radio interference (e.g. from amateur radio transmitter, MRI, etc.). On rare occasions this may result in the need to repeat the Capsule Endoscopy exmination. In this case, the physician may advise you to stay within the premises of the clinic during the Capsule Endoscopy to prevent this problem from recurring.

Capsule Endoscopy lasts approximately 8 hours and is considered complete according to your physician’s instructions. Do not disconnect the equipment or remove the belt at any time during this period. Since the DataRecorder is actually a small computer, it should be treated with utmost care and protection. Avoid sudden movement and banging of the DataRecorder.

During Capsule Endoscopy, you will need to verify every 15 minutes that the small light on top of the DataRecorder is blinking twice per second. If, for some reason it stops blinking at this rate, record the time and contact your physician. You should also record the time and nature of any event such as eating, drinking, your activity and unusual sensations. Return the Event Form with these notes to your physician at the time you return the equipment.

Avoid any strenuous physical activity especially if it involves sweating and do not bend over or stoop during Capsule Endoscopy.

After Completing Capsule Endoscopy

You will be instructed by your physician on how to return the equipment at the end of Capsule Endoscopy. You will return to the office 8 hours after ingesting the capsule, and a technician will remove the sensor array and recorder. The DataRecorder stores the images of your examination. Handle the DataRecorder, RecorderBelt, SensorArray and Battery Pack carefully. Do not expose them to shock, vibration or direct sunlight, which may result in loss of information. Return all of the equipment to your physician’s office as soon as possible.

If you did not positively verify the excretion of the PillCam® Capsule from your body, and you develop unexplained post procedure nausea, abdominal pain or vomiting, contact your physician for evaluation and possible abdominal X-ray examination.

Undergoing an MRI while the capsule is inside your body may result in serious damage to your intestinal tract or abdominal cavity. If you did not positively verify the excretion of the PillCam® Capsule from your body, you should contact your physician for evaluation and possible abdominal X-ray before undergoing an MRI examination.