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Home Bowel Preparation

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Before your scheduled surgery, you should complete an at home bowel prep as prescribed by your doctor. To make sure the bowel prep goes well, it’s important to follow these guidelines for home bowel prep days before you come to the hospital for surgery.

  1. Eat a low-fiber, low-residue diet (see enclosed diet information)
  2. Both five days and 2 days before surgery give an Enemeez mini enema
  3. Give a Fleet™ enema (follow directions on the enema) the day before surgery. If you are currently using another enema program, please give the enema that night (even if it is not the scheduled day).
  4. Give Miralax™ using the following guidelines:

3-6 years old

2 teaspoons mixed in 4 ounces of water each night for four consecutive nights before coming to the hospital.

6 years and older

1 heaping tablespoon mixed in 8 ounces of water each night for four consecutive nights before coming to the hospital

Example: Hospital admission is January 5 with surgery January 6. Give Miralax January 1-4.

Miralax is a prescription medicine that you can purchase at your pharmacy. Miralax is a laxative that will promote bowel movements/cleaning out of the bowel. Read Miralax pharmacy insert for more information. Common side effects may include bloating, flatulence, intestinal cramping, nausea and diarrhea.

Only clear liquids such as water or apple juice may be taken the morning you come to the hospital for the bowel prep. You will be on clear liquids that day, anyway. 

If possible, try to get to bed early the night before you come to the hospital. Sometimes being at the hospital for bowel prep can be a long day. Being well-rested can help.

These are general guidelines. If your doctor has provided different instructions, please follow those.

We would like you to have your pre-surgery prep medications filled in advance of your surgery. Our Gillette Pharmacy can fill your prescription, assist you in having the prescription filled at a different pharmacy, and assist you in working with your insurance if you experience coverage challenges.

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of your health care providers. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor or others on your health care team. If you are a Gillette patient with urgent questions or concerns, please contact Telehealth Nursing at 651-229-3890.