Question:
So its gross, but I need to ask about the bowel prep

I am a little concerned about the whole enema thing. Do you have to do it? Not to get too personal, but I have trouble just reaching that area never mind administering this kind of procedure.    — Yvonne E. (posted on January 19, 2003)

January 18, 2003
Some surgeons dont require a bowell prep at all. Your the first I rembered to ask about a enema for bowell prep. The RNY is on the UPPER intestine and small bowel. Enemas are for the lower large bowell only. Its likey your worried about nothing...
   — bob-haller

January 18, 2003
Most bowell preps are to drink a yucky liqid like fleet phospo soda that gives you severe diarrea, thus cleaning out your entire digestive track. As I said many surgeons dont require it at all.
   — bob-haller

January 18, 2003
Talk to your surgeon. I only had to drink magnesium citrate. It cleans out everything. Best of luck to you. Its worth whatever you have to do to be on the losing side. Hang in there, it just keeps getting better after you get to the other side!! Best of luck....
   — Sharon1964

January 19, 2003
Just call me bowel prep queen. I've had 3 coloscopy's and 2 flex sigs in the last six years and I'm only 41. I had a pre-cancerous polyp removed at 35 and have a anal fissure, hence the procedures. <p>Anyway it's not gross and it's no big deal. It is no different that a bad case of diarhia (sp?). So don't sweat it. It will be worth it to get the surgery. Here's my recommendations: If the surgeon requires a full bowel clense ask to do the Fleet Phosfosoda (sp?). It's salty as hell but at least you only drink it once a day and not for hours on end like the GoLitely or the NuLitely which are a gallon of liquid that is less salty but it's like an 8 hour thing. Not for me. The Fleet stuff you can add to a juice, just not a red juice. I found out this last time that it was best in a pick grapefuit juice. Mind you it still does not taste good and is very salty but WAY better than not in a juice. I've tried orange juice but the pick grapefruit was the most tolerable. Make sure both are very cold, it does help with the taste. <p>For a colonoscopy you do 1/2 a fleet phospasoda the night before and 1/2 the next morning and then depending on the doctor 1-2 fleet enemas. Since they won't want you to drink anything the day of surgery this will most likely occur the night before and they may request a enema in the am. If there is a need for an ennema it will help to lay on your side on the bed and just kind of move around until you can figure out how to reach that area. There is a long tip on the bottle so you only have to get so close. Try resting your leg on the wall etc. You'll figure it out if you have to. You might also mention to the doctor that the enema portion would be very difficult for you and they might skip it. I agree with someone else post that the bowel cleanse should not be a big issue if you follow their requested process. Most RNY's are only bypassed 3-1/2' to 5' and that will be cleaned out just by the lack of food. The DS might require the more extensive bowel cleanse since the reconnection is within the last 24"-48" before the large bowel. Trust me whatever the surgeon requires you will survive. If you have to ask for help with the enema then just do it and realize this will be the last time you will be embarrased by your weight because you are taking the steps to get rid of those extra lbs. Just more incentive to have the surgery. Just grin and bear it and keep your eyes focused on the other side and how great you will feel in just a few months from now! Chris
   — zoedogcbr

January 19, 2003
I forgot one extremely important thing. Drink tons of water the day before surgery and the day you do the bowel cleanse. I mean like upwards of a gallon. The 2nd colonoscopy I had I got severely dehydrated and they had a heck of a time getting an IV in me. The one I had this last year I drank tons of water and it really made the difference. The salty solution just sucks the water out of you so you need to to refill and overfill on water. Good Luck!
   — zoedogcbr

January 29, 2003
I just e-mailed my Dr. this week about this. He said that there was no prep necessary. I'm having a lap RNY on 2/18.
   — Fixnmyself