Colon Surgery Prep Instructions
This page provides colon surgery bowel preparation instructions for patients of Dr. Aisha Akhtar, a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, and surrounding Arizona communities.
These instructions are for patients preparing for colon surgery, not routine colonoscopy. Colon surgery preparation may include a clear liquid diet, bowel-cleansing medication, antibiotics, medication holds, pre-operative bathing instructions, and surgery-center reminders.
Choose your assigned colon surgery prep
Please follow the specific bowel prep instructions assigned to you by our office. Different patients may receive different preparation instructions depending on the planned operation, medical history, medications, kidney function, constipation history, and pharmacy coverage.
If you are not sure which prep you were assigned, please contact the office before starting.
Important distinction: colon surgery prep vs colonoscopy prep
Colon surgery prep and colonoscopy prep are not the same.
Colon surgery prep may include:
Clear liquid diet
You may be instructed to follow a clear liquid diet the day before surgery.
Bowel-cleansing medication
Your assigned prep may include MiraLAX/Dulcolax, GoLYTELY, MoviPrep, magnesium citrate, or another preparation.
Oral antibiotics
Some colon surgery preparations include antibiotics such as neomycin and metronidazole the day before surgery.
Medication holds
Blood thinners, GLP-1 medications, diabetes medications, NSAIDs, aspirin, herbal supplements, and other medications may require specific instructions.
Pre-operative bathing
You may be asked to bathe with HIBI-CLENS, chlorhexidine gluconate, or another antibacterial soap before surgery.
Surgery-center instructions
You may receive a call from the surgery center with arrival time and day-of-surgery instructions.
Do not use colon surgery prep instructions for routine colonoscopy unless our office specifically tells you to do so.
Medication instructions
Please follow the medication instructions provided by our office. Do not stop prescribed medications unless instructed by Dr. Akhtar, your prescribing clinician, or the surgical team.
Contact the office before surgery if you take:
- blood thinners or antiplatelet medications
- aspirin
- Coumadin/warfarin
- Plavix/clopidogrel
- insulin or other diabetes medications
- GLP-1 medications or weight-loss injections
- diuretics
- heart or blood pressure medications
- medications for kidney disease
- herbal supplements
- any medication you are unsure about
Medication instructions should be individualized based on your medical history and surgical plan.
Clear liquid diet
A clear liquid diet may be required the day before surgery. Clear liquids are fluids you can see through.
Examples may include:
- water
- coffee or tea without milk or cream
- clear soft drinks
- Gatorade or Powerade
- Kool-Aid
- strained fruit juices without pulp
- sparkling water
- chicken, beef, or vegetable broth or bouillon
- hard candies
- Jell-O without fruit or toppings
- popsicles
Avoid anything colored red or purple unless your instruction sheet specifically allows it.
Antibiotics before colon surgery
Some colon surgery preparations include oral antibiotics the day before surgery. If antibiotics are prescribed, take them exactly as instructed.
The colon surgery prep instructions may include:
- neomycin
- metronidazole
- ondansetron/Zofran if nausea occurs
If you did not receive the prescribed antibiotics or are unsure how to take them, please contact the office before surgery.
Bathing before surgery
You may be instructed to bathe the night before and the morning of surgery to help lower infection risk.
The preferred soap may be HIBI-CLENS, also called chlorhexidine gluconate or CHG. If you are unable to obtain HIBI-CLENS, your instructions may allow an antibacterial soap such as Dial, Lever, or Safeguard.
Follow the bathing instructions provided in your assigned prep document.
When to call the office before surgery
Please contact the office if:
- you are unsure which prep applies to you
- you cannot tolerate the bowel prep
- you vomit repeatedly after starting the prep
- you did not have bowel movements after taking the prep
- you did not receive your prescribed bowel prep
- you did not receive your prescribed antibiotics
- you have questions about blood thinners, diabetes medications, GLP-1 medications, diuretics, or heart medications
- you have not heard from the surgery center by noon the day before surgery
- you develop fever, severe abdominal pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, or worsening weakness
Schedule or confirm your procedure
If you have questions about your colon surgery prep or need to confirm your assigned instructions, please contact the office.
Request an Appointment
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these instructions for colonoscopy?
No. These instructions are for colon surgery preparation. Colon surgery prep may include antibiotics, bathing instructions, and surgery-specific reminders that are not part of routine colonoscopy prep.
Which colon surgery prep should I follow?
Follow the specific prep assigned by our office. If you received more than one instruction sheet or are unsure which one applies to you, contact the office before starting.
Do I need antibiotics before colon surgery?
Some patients are prescribed oral antibiotics before colon surgery. If antibiotics are prescribed, take them exactly as directed.
Can I stop my blood thinners before surgery?
Do not stop blood thinners without guidance from your prescribing clinician and surgical team. This includes Coumadin/warfarin, Plavix/clopidogrel, aspirin, and other anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications.
What if I cannot tolerate the bowel prep?
Contact the office if you cannot tolerate the prep, vomit repeatedly, or do not have bowel movements after taking the prep.
