Bowel Preperation
Your bowel preparation should be completed prior to the day of your scheduled surgery.
Purchase a bottle of Magnesium Citrate (10 oz) from the pharmacy. This is over the counter and any flavor is okay. Ask the Pharmacist if you have questions.
If you are unable to find Magnesium Citrate, you can use:
- Milk of Magnesia: take the max dose as directed on the bottle
- Miralax: take the max dose as directed on the bottle
2 Days before surgery: Eat a normal breakfast and lunch. Eat a normal, but not heavy supper. On this day, make sure you have had a bowel movement. If not, use a suppository such as Dulcolax or take 1-2 doses of Milk of Magnesia to ensure you have had a bowel movement this day.
24 hours (or 1 day) before surgery: Consume only clear liquids. A clear liquid diet consists of the following:
- Apple Juice
- Cranberry juice or other clear juices
- Tea
- Clear broth (such as beef or chicken)
- Jello
- Gatorade or other sports drinks
- Black coffee
You should begin one (10 oz) bottle of magnesium citrate no later than noon. This bottle should be completed in less than 2 hours. You can expect to begin having bowel movements after you begin the magnesium citrate, but it sometimes can take a few hours.
You should then take nothing by mouth after midnight unless instructed to take any of your medications with a small sip of water.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call our office at (337)480-5530 during normal business hours.