I took the plunge and had my first colonoscopy this year. I was seriously dreading it. I am never sick and never have to go to the hospital, so it was really hard for me to plan this for myself. I knew I needed to do it and I understood that it’s a lifesaver, but it’s something I was very reluctant to do. I thought about canceling even up to the day before the procedure, but there were so many reasons to just DO IT. The prep was bad, but there’s no way around it. Here’s why I finally went for it and what helped me prep for my very first colonoscopy.
What convinced me to get my first colonoscopy:
An old friend of mine, the incredible Amri Kibbler, shared so much of her colon cancer journey online. She is one of the reasons I knew I had to get it done. We have girls who love us and count on us. Not having a colonoscopy seemed silly and selfish. This, along with everything I’ve seen on social from medical experts and influencers really pushed me (the good of social media!). The hilarious Holderness Family turns it into a frat party moment that even made me laugh through the dread.
When to get your first colonoscopy:
Screening was, until recently, for people 50+. The age for screening has just been lowered to 45. As the #1 cause of cancer death for men and #2 for women, we have to start taking this seriously. And we have to start talking to each other about it. Plan it with your friends or partner, get through the fast together. Whatever it takes. Find a doctor, book the procedure and do not cancel.
Finding the right doctor for a first colonoscopy:
I really wanted the doctor to be a woman. Maybe it’s totally unimportant, maybe! But it made me feel better, safer and like the whole thing would be less intrusive. I found a wonderful doctor that made me feel safe— as I was headed off to sleep pre-surgery and when I woke up to the good report post.
Shopping for your first colonoscopy:
OK listen. It’s awful. There’s no sugar coating it. It’s worse than awful. First of all, fasting is really hard for me. Second, and way worse, are the worst prep meds known to man. There has to be a better invention than drinking boatloads of this disgusting, sour, awful drink over hours of the day prior to the procedure. I’ve heard and read about the pill option, but when I asked my doctor about that option she said it was just as bad (100 pills). Great!
Gastroenterologist Trisha Pasricha, MD, MPH shared some great colonoscopy prep hacks. I kept these in mind as I prepared.
Overall, the prep means fasting for a full day. During that time, you can only eat or drink clear, yellow or orange foods (no red or blue) which for me boiled down to yellow Jello, tea and lemonade. Put these products on your prep shopping list:
Yellow Jello
Lemonade and/or Apple Juice
Lemon ices/ice pops
A&D (you’ll get it later!)
Baby wipes (same!)
Preparing for your first colonoscopy:
Follow your doctor’s specific instructions. They will look something like this below (our example).
- Days before the procedure: 2-3 days prior, follow a low fiber diet (no nuts, seeds, raw vegetables).
- Day before the procedure: Consume only clear liquids (water, coffee/tea without dairy/milk, broth, Jello, apple juice).
- Colonoscopy Prep Kit: As per the Cleveland Clinic, take the prescribed and/or over-the-counter laxative as prescribed, usually in 2 split doses. Make sure the liquid prep is very cold/stored in the fridge.
- Hydration: Drink plenty of clear fluids throughout the process. It’s a lot, but you have to be hydrated.
- Day of the procedure: Stop all liquids 3-4 hours before your appointment.
The tip is to make the colonoscopy prep drink as cold as is possible, but know it still tastes like toxic anti-freeze (I imagine). Every sip is vomit inducing, but you have to do it. Some people recommend a mint after each gulp, drinking through a straw, or sucking on a lemon between sips. Nothing helped me.
Pro-tip: Make sure you have a private, dedicated bathroom for the night, because you’ll be living in it. Don’t bother coming out between bathroom visits. Think Niagara Falls but not in pee. This is you, for about 6-10 hours. Without A&D and baby wipes, your tush won’t survive.
What time should you schedule your colonoscopy?
I did it first thing in the am, but @liseandsarah say that’s crazy, since the prep time is so hard. They recommend the ‘magical hour of 3pm so you can start prep at 6 am, have the colonoscopy, wake up at 5pm and go home and go straight to bed’. I may try this next time!
Getting your first colonoscopy:
The procedure itself is painless and not memorable at all. I fell asleep within seconds, knowing my doctor and her team were there. I woke up later feeling like nothing had happened. When the doctor came to me to say “all looked great” it was a huge sense of relief. When she said she’d see me in ten years, that relief was worth everything.
I had a clean bill of colon health.
I really did like this doctor, but I’m glad I don’t have to see her for a very long time…if she hasn’t retired by then, that is.
