Frequently Asked Questions

The "gold standard" for colon cancer screening is colonoscopy. It should begin at age 45 and be repeated every 10 years if normal. If a person has an immediate family member diagnosed with colon cancer, then colonoscopy should begin at age 40 or 10 years younger than the age of the family member when they were diagnosed.

Our doctors use a variety of preparations depending on individual patient medical history, risk, factors, personal preference and other factors. If you have specific questions about your options for preparations, ask your scheduler. She will be able to check with your doctor about different options.

If you have printed instructions from Gastrointestinal Associates, you should follow them. If you did not receive printed instructions and are not sure how to use the laxative, please refer to the "Procedure Prep" section of this website or call our office.

Use the drop-down menu under "Procedures" or "Prep" to find your specific colonoscopy prep and follow the written instructions. Read carefully one week before your procedure as preps start with diet changes a few days before your colonoscopy.

• Vomiting is unfortunately common with the prep. Despite this, you typically ingest enough prep where the bowel is cleaned enough for an adequate exam. Keep trying. Often, nausea will subside if you slow down your intake of the prep solution and/or the water, by using a straw and chilling the liquid. Take a break and wait 15-30 minutes, then try again at a slower rate. For the second prep dose, anticipate at least double the time to ingest the prep.
• If there is concern you may not have consumed enough prep or the prep is not advancing, you can take an additional 2-3 capful doses of Miralax or a bottle of magnesium citrate and continue the prep as instructed.
• Completing the solution is important to guarantee that the preparation of your colon is complete, but you may take more time if needed. If you have only been able to drink one-half of the solution after four hours, you may need to use a different laxative. Once completed, if you are still passing stool, particularly matter or dark colored fluid, call the answering service at 913-495-9600 to reach the doctor on call.

Contact your gastroenterologist at least two weeks before your procedure to discuss the right prep plan for you.

If you have problems with your prep and have not found your answer here, call the office, during office hours, at 913-495-9600 and contact your doctor's scheduler for instructions. For assistance after office hours call 913-495-9600 to leave a message for the on call physician.

Using a small amount of water, take your prescription medication as you usually do unless you have been instructed not to take the medication prior to your procedure. It is very important that you take your blood pressure or heart medication as usual. If you are on blood thinner, such as Coumadin (Warfarin) or Plavix, refer to the next question.

Call your primary care doctor or cardiologist and confirm that it is safe for you to stop the medication. We typically ask to stop clopidogrel (Plavix) for 5 days prior to the procedure, and Apixaban (eliquis) / Rivaroxaban (xarelto) 2-3 days prior. If your doctor tells you that you cannot stop the medication then please call us immediately to make us aware of this. Please refer to the prep instructions provided to you from your physician and/or the instructions provided on this website.

Call the doctor treating your diabetes at least five days before your procedure and ask for instructions.

Yes, we want to have a baseline to anticipate any needs you may have during or after the procedure. We will check your blood sugar upon arrival at the facility.

It is best to stop any herbal remedies 5-7 days before the procedure as many of them can thin the blood and increase the risk of bleeding during the procedure.

It is OK to still have your procedure if you are taking an antibiotic. If you are running a fever, please contact the office.

Our CRNA's may use several medications specifically selected for you based upon your health history. The medication commonly used is Propofol (a sedative). The sedation is called Monitored Anesthesia Care, or MAC. MAC anesthesia is perfectly suited to a short procedure like a colonoscopy or EGD. It is quick acting, very safe and you feel no pain or embarrassment during the procedure. The anesthetic effect wears off quickly in the recovery area.

The medication you receive during the procedure will remain in your system and make it unsafe for you to drive for the remainder of the day.

Your total time at the facility could be 2 to 2 ½ hours. Your driver should plan on being available for this amount of time.

You will be able to resume a normal diet after your procedure. It is best to plan to eat a light meal at home after leaving our facility. You will likely still be drowsy when you leave and may not feel like eating in a restaurant.

You will likely be drowsy when you leave. The medication used for sedation will remain in your system, and you should not drive, operate equipment or make legally-binding decisions for the remainder of the day. We advise that you take the entire day off from work. If you feel well, you may participate in most other activities.