The Women's Health Group

Bowel Preparation Instructions

Bowel preparation is necessary prior to some surgeries to completely empty out the entire length of your intestine. Complications can occur with an inadequate bowel preparation, so please make sure to comply with the following directions:

Purchase Prior to Surgery:

• Erythromycin and Neomycin base prescriptions
• GoLytely.

Day Before Surgery:

• Drink only clear liquids for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Clear liquids include all of the following (but may not be red or purple in color):
  - Water
  - Clear broth
  - Gatorade, clear or yellow
  - Popsicles
  - Jell-o without fruit
  - Clear juices, apple or white grape

• To prevent soreness, you may want to apply Preparation H, Desitin, or Vaseline to the rectal area before beginning the prep and as needed.

• At 5pm start the GoLytely.
  - Drink an 8oz glass of GoLytely every 15-30 minutes until the entire gallon is gone.
  - If you become nauseated, stop for 60 minutes then resume drinking.
  - Individual responses to laxatives vary. This prep solution often works within 30 minutes, but may take up to three hours.

Day of Surgery:

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight of the day of your scheduled surgery.