Bowel Preparation

How well you prepare for your procedure determines how well Dr. Pou can see what he needs to see. Bowel preparation is your responsibility. Please do not wait until the day prior to your procedure to read the instructions. Contact our office if you have any questions.

For your convenience, we provide the instructions in Google Docs format so that you can open and print from your browser.

If you are having an upper endoscopy, follow these instructions:

Preparation for Upper Endoscopy

If you are having a colonoscopy, follow these instructions:

Citrate of Magnesia Preparation

GOLYTELY Preparation

Low Residue Diet Options

Clear Liquid Diet

On or before the day of your appointment

1. Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing — sweats, shirt or blouse with buttons down the front; no corsets, girdles, or panty hose; leave jewelry at home; remove any nail polish; do not bring any money.
2. Follow the directions about eating and drinking, and take your morning medications as directed.
3. Bring your insurance card(s).
4. Bring your driver's license or photo identification.
5. Bring a list of medicines you take and their dosages - inform us of any and all medications that you take.
6. Bring a list of any allergies that you have.
7. Bring a list of any previous problems with anesthesia, surgery, blood transfusions or medical problems.
8. A reminder that you may have lab work, EKG, and/or chest x-ray.
9. You may be at the endoscopy suite from 1½ to 3 hours, depending on your surgery or procedure.
10. Make arrangements for someone to drive you home after your procedure - although you will be monitored in a recovery area until all effects of the anesthesia have disappeared, having someone drive you home is a necessary safety precaution.

Bob Corso of WHSV TV3 Interviews Dr. Pou about colonscopy advice

A change to address the unknown — 6 GIs react to U.S. Preventive Services Task Force's recommendation to lower CRC screening age to 45

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force proposed lowering the colorectal cancer screening age to 45 in response to growing early-onset CRC rates. In the news article linked below, six gastroenterologists discuss how the change will affect their practice.

Shenandoah Valley Gastroenterology was the first GI practice to validate the changes in screening colonoscopy to age 45 as seen in an interview of Dr. Pou on WHSV.

Watch Dr. Pou Interview on WHSV Reaction from 6 Gastroenterology Practices

---

Make an Appointment for a Screening

Do you know how to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer? The risk of getting colorectal cancer increases with age. Colorectal cancer screening saves lives, but many people are not being screened. The first step is yours … contact our office to make an appointment.

Make an appointment