Pre-colonoscopy instructions

That’s huge! I had no idea, i learn something here everyday. I’m going to PM that link to my gastroenterologist tomorrow m as my colonoscopy is scheduled soon,

I would want to see more conclusive discussion than that. I just had a colonoscopy at Mayo Clinic.
I started a low fiber diet 7 days before, also taking dose of MiraLAX (which has no taste). Two days before full and clear liquids no solids, one day before only clear liquids. Also given Ducolax 2days, 1 day and day of exam. Prep was 4 liters divided in two parts (day before and day of). It was also flavored.
My colon was scored as highest clean based on Boston Bowel Prep Score.
What I noticed with this diet was that it was not as "violent" as previous ones when it came to actual cleaning out of colon. So actually, I liked it. And they found 3 polyps and also could sample mucous.

@vic83 this has been exactly my prep experience with two colonoscopies at Mayo in the last year. Same highest Boston Bowel Prep score. I would never eat anything the day prior, I wouldn’t want to go through full prep only to be sent home and rescheduled. I like it perfectly clean so they can see everything. Too important. Hard to imagine a Dr. allowing this. I have had many colonoscopies.

Thank you for this I’m doing this as “it must be crystal clear” my UOC Dr said for my chromoendoscopy “to see what lights up” looking for cancer already with dysplasia finding.

Yes, Colonoscopies are too important to not do an excellent prep. I looked up the Boston Bowel Prep Score and 9 is the best score. I have had four previous colonoscopies (not at Mayo) and the reports only said that my prep was "good". That does not correspond to a score of 9 but lower!
As I said, I found the Mayo Prep easier because starting a low fiber diet with daily dose of MiraLAX 7 days before seemed to reduce the buildup in my colon.
And the 4-liter prep came with lemon flavoring, so it really did not taste that bad. I had to drink 12 cups day before and 4 cups day of which is doable.
And they found 3 pre-cancerous polyps (2mm, 10mm, 12mm) after 5-years from my last colonoscopy.
Actually, I find the diet before a PET scan to be harder because one must avoid sugar and carbs.

I had three preps. My first one was in October 2022, my second one in October 2024. The first one was with a young doctor, the second one with an experience doctor who is head of the gastroenterology investigation team of the Univeristy Hospital. On both occasion, they asked for a no fiber low residue diet with no fruits nor vegetables two days before the colonoscopy and to stop eating any solid once starting taking the prep liquids at 2 pm for the first one and 5 pm for the second one. The second one allowed eating one toasted slice of white bread if one feels very hungry. Prep was a combination of Dulcolax starting the night before and NulyTely (3 liters, the 4th liter only if what comes out is not fully liquid and yellowish. On both occasions, my colon was perfectly clean and they found two polyps the first time, and they found a polyp the 2nd time and could examine my rectovaginal fistula perfectly.

The third prep was prior to my Turnbull-Cutait pullthrough (Low Anterior Resection), same prep, but I was allowed to have a protein (chicken breast) for dinner. Colon was perfectly clear, but I had lots of gases this time.

I got my colonoscopy instructions today from Duke before I could send the link about the moderate prep plan. And, it’s the regular no food the day before, like last time. The stuff is different from last time. I guess because I stay constipated now….I don’t have it with me. Left it at my country house. I got hungry last time. Very hungry! I wonder if I will this time. I don’t eat much now. I’ve lost 70 pounds since my last colonoscopy.

I hope you don't lose more weight because of the colonoscopy prep. I also hope you'll get good results from this exam.

@verol65 ,
I appreciate that. I lost the weight on purpose, as I was overweight. I still have a few pounds left to lose.

I am confident my results will be good, but you never know. I get scared if I think about it too much. I had a normal colonoscopy in 2020, except for hemorrhoids. No polyps. I wasn’t due for another for 10 years. But, with my chronic constipation that started in 2022 that only resolves with Miralax, the gastroenterologist said they need to do another one now. Don’t polyps grow slowly? They haven’t done any other tests.

Also, I had a recent normal anoscopy.

Thank you for the well wishes.

Better safe than sorry!
Polyps are supposed to grow slowly. My first polyp was discovered Oct. 26, 2023. I had a transanal resection on Dec. 17, 2022, and the polyp had almost doubled in size according to the surgeon.
I saw my surgeon early in Oct. 2023; the anoscopy showed nothing, since the surgeon did not mention anything. Then my second surgeon did a finger exam and didn't feel anything a couple weeks later. I had a colonoscopy on Nov. 28, 2023, and there was a polyp touching the area that had been radiated less than a year before. The doctors were alarmed.
So who knows. Have that colonoscopy and gain some peace of mind.