Question:
Is taking a bowel cleansing drink before surgery the norm??

I have heard people mention having to take some type of bowel cleansing drink a day or two before surgery. I went for my pre-op testing on Monday and I asked if I was supposed to take this and the nurse told me that the Dr. hadn't ordered anything of that nature. Do most Dr.'s do this? My only pre-op instructions are not to eat/drink after midnight on the day before my surgery.    — Kathleen M. (posted on March 22, 2002)

March 21, 2002
All surgeons are different and have their own ways of doing things. My doctor didn't make me do anything special either. He just said clear liquids the day before and nothing after midnight. Don't worry about it. Just do what your doctor says. You will be fine. Your Weight Loss Pal.
   — DeeDubbs

March 21, 2002
My doctor make all his patients use phospho soda the day before. 1 dose in the morning mixed with water and one in the afternoon. and only clear liquids all day. then nothing to eat or drink after midnight.
   — Theresa B.

March 21, 2002
My doctor only ordered nothing by mouth past midnight. I took it upon myself to eat light and drink alot of water the day before my surgery. I had no problems. Good luck to you!
   — Donna L.

March 21, 2002
I'll be doing a bowl prep on the 8th of April - like another poster...one drink at noon and another in the afternoon. I'm having surgery 2 1/2 hours away so I've made arrangements to check into the hotel early...they (Shilo Inn / Klamath Falls, Or) was really good about it. I am actually going to start on Sunday though...eating light. I don't want to be doing the old fashioned 'dumping' to the extreme on the day before...that's all I need, ya know what I mean? So on Sunday, I'm going to take myself on a light lunch / supper and then Monday morning breakfast before surgery on the 9th. Good luck w/yours.
   — Lisa J.

March 22, 2002
My doctor requires a bowel prep 2 days before surgery - 2 doses of Fleet Phospha-soda and then clear liquids that day and the day before surgery. Nothing at all after midnight the night before surgery.
   — L. F.

April 22, 2002
MY DOCTOR ASKS THAT YOU DO DULCOLAX , AND DRINK LOTS OF WATER THE DAY BEFORE SURGERY......... THEN NOTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT. I WAS NOT GIVING THE OPTION OF THE PH+SODA TO DRINK @ HOME HOME, BUT I ALSO BOUGHT A COUPLE OF ENEMAS JUST IN CASE, THE DULCOLAX DONT DO THE TRICK.GOOD LUCK
   — NANA H.

January 20, 2004
My doctor ordered me to be on a clear liquid fast for 72 hours before the surgery and NO food or drink after midnight the night before. Pat
   — Pat S.

September 13, 2005
There are several Doctors in the program I am in. I have seen pre-op instructions for all of them and they vary from Doctor to Doctor. Anything from enemas, to the very disgusting "GO-Lightly", to nothing. As it happens my Doctor was the same as yours, nothing special , just nothing after mid night the night before. I had a big "LAST SUPPER" of mexican food at 9:00 p.m. My surgery was 7-21-05 and I am doing great, and had no problems with the surgery! Good Luck !
   — Sheri P.

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