Bowel Prep

I am having surgery Friday, and nowhere in my packet of information from my doctor does it say anything about doing a bowel prep. I am allowed to eat tomorrow up until 5:00 p.m., and then I can have clear liquids including cream soup or broth up until midnight. I was wondering if anyone else has had surgery without doing any sort of bowel prep. Thanks Christy

I would like to know that as well. My surgery is December 22nd and my Dr has never said anything about a bowel prep either. They told me I could eat till the day before like you then liquids. Did I miss something? Seems like everyone else talks about the bowel prep.

Girls, get ready because it ain't gonna be pretty! Each doctor is totally different but I had a pretty extensive program I had to folllow before my surgery. I had to stop eating completely 2 days prior to surgery and I was a clear liquid diet (broth, water, ect.), not even creamed soup. And the the day before surgery I had to drink 1.5ml of Fleet Phospho-Soda? at 10:00am and at 12:00pm and then take 3 antibiotics until midnight when I was no longer allowed to have anything, including water or ice. Again each doctor is completely different but I am amazed that nothing is mentioned about bowel prep. I am 2 weeks post op and I remember it like it was yesterday! Good Luck with your surgery, see you on the losing side! Take Care, Belinda P.S. Sorry for the spelling, it 's past midnight and I just can't sleep.

Hi I am having surgery Tuesday. I just have instruction that I can eat a normal breakfast and Lunch is soft diet and dinner in clear liguids. There is no bowel prep. I am having duodenal switch surgery.

Thanks for the info. Well My surgery is tomorrow and I've looked through everything they gave me at least 10 times and there is nothing in there about it. When I scheduled the surgery for the day after Thanksgiving the first thing I asked was will I be able to eat the day before (LOL) and they said yes, up until 5:00 pm and then clear liquids till midnight. Maybe they'll do something the morning of surgery at the hospital. I guess I'll find out tomorrow!! Christy

I didnt have to have bowel prep!! Thank Goodness!!! just clear liquids after breakfast the day before.. That was worth not having to do the prep!!! I honestly think it depends on what type of surgery the Doc plans on doing... and the Doctor.. you know the cleaner you are the less likely for infection and such...,maybe that is their train of thought. I survived without it.. But do what the Doc tell s you.. if you dont you could see it canceled.. or postponed.. Linda

Hi Christy, My surgeon did not require that I do either a special pre-surgery diet or a bowel prep. Some docs do, and some don't. Guess I was lucky. Good luck to you with your future surgery!! *Kam*

the only bowel prep my doctor is having me do is take a mild laxative the night before. I can eat and drink up until midnight. then nothing. after everything i heard from other people i was quite surprised and pleased. i heard the stuff some people have to take to clean themselves out is horrible. good luck. my surgery is wednesday!

My surgery is Monday the 28th. I've got to use Magnesium Sulfate on Sunday to clean things out. Kit

Hi Kit! My surgery is Monday, too. Good luck to you! Kathy