Colonoscopy Prep Tips Before Reversal Surgery

Prior to reversal surgery, I need to have a colonoscopy. Any advice that could help me with the prep will be appreciated.

G-Day Boalsman, All you have to do is drink something that makes you empty your bowl the night before the colonoscopy, and on the day, they normally send you to sleep, and you wake up later, and it's all over. Regards, IGGIE

Hey there. I had a colostomy for 8 months following a botched biopsy (to make sure they got all of a cancerous polyp I'd had removed Feb 22, 2023) that perforated my colon on May 22, 2023. I had my colostomy reversed on January 30, 2024.

I had a colonoscopy 2 months after my reversal (for my 1-year colon cancer surveillance), so I never had a colonoscopy through my stoma - but I did have a bowel prep the night before my reversal surgery, so I assume you will have to have one for a colonoscopy. Mine was the Miralax and Gatorade/Dulcolax prep. Some people say drinking it through a straw helps.

High Capacity Bag: my wound nurse ordered me a high capacity drainable bag from Hollister - it had a tap, and it held a lot. IDK what I would have done without it. It also had tubing to hook it up to a bigger bag, so I didn't have to get up constantly during the night to drain it.

Drink Extra Fluids: make sure you drink a lot of water aside from the prep drink... I threw up a lot and was really dehydrated by the time I got to my reversal surgery. So drink extra fluids if you can!

Anti-nausea Medication: My surgeon had prescribed Zofran (anti-nausea med) to take during the prep - it sounded good in theory, but I think that is what gave me a migraine and caused me to throw up during my prep, although I can't be sure. Zofran might work for you though. Migraines just make me throw up - and I had one the whole prep after I took Zofran... but like I said, may just have been me.

Good luck with your colonoscopy and your upcoming reversal! :)

(Edit: I'm assuming you will be following the prep your doctor gave you since you are just asking for tips, not what prep to use.)

Hi Boal,

The best advice would be for you to follow the prep guidelines they give you prior to the colonoscopy. Some places are pretty strict about the prep and will cancel the procedure if you don't do what they want (and tell them). So your best bet is to contact where it's being done, explain your situation, and let them recommend what they feel will work best. Just make sure whoever you talk to understands your situation, as they're so used to telling non-ostomates how to prep their brain may be stuck in that mode.

;O)

Thanks, Dexie. The surgeon wants to do a colonoscopy before the reversal. Eleven days later, I have to go through the prep again for the surgery. Thanks for the information on a high-capacity bag.

My Ostomy Journey: Kimberly | Hollister

Oh wow, that's rough. I had to wait until a few months after my reversal for my colonoscopy because I hadn't yet hit the 1-year mark for my cancer diagnosis. My colorectal doc was very adamant that I hit that mark and then have one done. I was very afraid of having one so soon after my reversal surgery, but he assured me it was nothing to worry about.

I think the only difference for me in the colonoscopy prep vs. the prep for my reversal was that I had to take a couple of different antibiotics during my prep the day before reversal surgery. I'm sure it will all be detailed out for you with paperwork from your doctors. Good luck with it all!

A few more tips I was thinking of for any colonoscopy you have after your reversal… wet wipes instead of toilet paper. And applying Desitin after every poop - literally saved my butt! ;)