Question:
Bowel Prep confusion

My surgery is Wed. and on Monday I am to clean out my bowels. He had me get three things. A box of laxatives, Fleet phospho-soda and magnesium citrate oral solution. My questions are: What do I start with? How much do I take? What order? What time do I start? How long do I wait in between? and stop by what time?    — JoyFines (posted on February 19, 2006)

February 19, 2006
I am now nealry 8 1/2 months post op, and the only laxative that I had to do was the fleet phospho-soda..and it worked very well. That sounds like and awful lot to have to use. I di mine the night before since I was NPO at midnight before my surgery. Good luck keep me posted on how you do. I feel wonderful and donnot regret having the RNY one bit.
   — tweetyjo64

February 19, 2006
You MUST call your doctor's office and get the correct orders from him or his nurse! Do not go by what another person tells you, each doctor and each patient is different. Call your doctor's office today. They should have given you your directions the day they told you to get the Fleet Phospho-soda, on a sheet of paper. Good luck
   — cindirella

February 19, 2006
Every Doc is different & I did not have to do that, so I would recommend you call the office & ask what & How to do it, You should only need one of those things. I believe the other answer that is way too mych for your system to use all 3 items, You will have diahrea for days after all that.
   — Marilyn C.

February 20, 2006
Wow, he must want you extra cleaned out. Do call your doc and get specific info....I was advised only to take the magnesium citrate, what you are taking is quite a bit of 'cleaner'.
   — RebeccaP

February 20, 2006
Were you supposed to use ALL OF THOSE? Wow! Either the mag citrate or phospho soda would get you squeaky clean, for sure. If you are unable to get clarification, there are directions on the phospho soda (my choice). Clear liquids for 12 hours, then 1.5 oz of that with 8 oz of something clear. Drink clears for 12 hours, repeat the 1.5 w/8 oz, and drink clears til your cut off time. I've seen it work with only 8 hrs between doses and even 4 hrs between, but I think my original instructions called for 12. Did they tell you when to stop oral anythings?
   — vitalady

February 20, 2006
I have to agree with the other respondants. Get the info from your dr's office. This sounds like way too much to me. I did the phoso soda the night before and early morning just like when you have a colonoscopy. Squeaky clean is the result. Do call and follow their directions. Good luck! I am 10 months out and have lost 103 pounds. You will do fine and hope you never regret a second of it like me!
   — Carol M.

February 20, 2006
Thank you everyone for your responses. My Dr's office actually called back and I did all three one hour apart.
   — JoyFines

February 21, 2006
i did not have to do that nor did anybody i know and i know 4women that have had it so good luck,did the doctor tell you how to do this and is it safe
   — marywyatt