My husband and I have both had colonoscopy surgeries, but we had different approaches. I started my preparations a full week ahead (seven days). He just did the 24-hour no solid food prep and his day was painful.

My husband’s doctor didn’t mention anything about what to do a week before. My doctor(s) didn’t say anything about preparing seven days before, but I did some research. This is what made the difference for the day you face the Miralax and Gatorade. 

BEGIN SEVEN DAYS BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE

For seven to four days before your procedure, you should avoid:

AVOID

• whole grains,
• popcorn,
• fatty food
• tough meat
• corn, 
• broccoli
• cabbage
• beans
• peas
• nuts,
• seeds,
• dried fruits or
• raw fruits/vegetables
• seaweed
• glutinous rice, black rice
• bamboo shoots
• dragonfruit
• black fungus
• sesame
• animal blood, animal liver, 
• red dates

Also on the list is glutinous rice and seaweed which means no sushi. This list was for an East Asian dietary restrictions. 

virtual-colonoscopy

WHAT YOU CAN EAT: 

• Digestive tea 
• Milk, Cream, Buttermilk
• Hot chocolate
• Cheese, including Cottage Cheese
• Yogurt,  Sour Cream
• White flour breads including muffins and bagels
• Plain Crackers
• Low-fiber cereal (puffed rice, cream of wheat or corn flakes)
• Pasta
• Smoothies
• Fruit juice without pulp
• Melon (cantaloupe and honeydew)
• Peeled Apricots and peaches
• Canned Fruit without seeds or Skin
• Eggs
• White Rice
• Salmon 
• Fish, Seafood
• Chicken , Turkey
• Lamb
• Pork, Veal
• Tofu
• Steamed vegetables without skin
• Potatoes without skin
• Cucumbers without seeds or peel
• Cream nut butter

I also added flour tortillas and cheese without any nuts, berries, spices or red pieces in it.

Kaiser Permanente has a great list.

Favorite Drinks for Colonoscopy Prep

• Organic low-sodium broth
• Really good JELL-O (not red, orange or purple)
• Martinelli’s Gold Medal apple juice
• White grape juice
• Flavored sparkling water
• 7-UP or Sprite
• Good coffee (without creamer)
• Gummy bears – pull out the red and purple ones, and suck the light ones for a little treat

WebMD: How to Prepare for a Colonoscopy

I was dubious about the instructions, the doctor sent because it gave the same preparation for people of any size. I am the size of a 12-year-old (under five feet high and under 100 lbs.) , so I did half of what was required which was:

• 2 tablets of 5 MG Dulcolax at 12 p.m. with clear fluids
• 8.15 oz of Miralax into a 32-oz bottle of Smartwater at 4 p.m. but in a split dose. Half at 4 p.m. and the rest at 6 p.m. 

Check the numbers to make sure you’re getting the right amount and don’t go by bottle/pill or price.  I made a mistake because originally, I was given kits, but this time, I was not sent a kit. 

Here is the sheet I was given:

• DO EAT
  • White bread, pasta, and rice
  • Well-cooked vegetables without skin
  • Fruit without skin or seeds
  • Lean meat, chicken, or fish
  • Eggs