Colonoscopy preparation in Brisbane
Your written booking instructions are the source of truth for your procedure.
In short. Your written bowel-preparation instructions are the source of truth. The plan usually includes a low-fibre diet, clear fluids and timed laxatives, but the product and timing depend on your procedure. If this page differs from the instructions issued by Colonoscopy Brisbane, follow your issued instructions and call us if anything is unclear.
Why prep matters so much
A colonoscopy lets the specialist examine the lining of your colon for polyps and abnormalities. If there is faecal material in the way — even small amounts — areas can be hidden and small polyps missed.
Good prep increases the polyp detection rate and reduces the chance you’ll need to repeat the procedure. Repeat colonoscopies because of poor prep cost time, money and a second round of preparation. It is genuinely worth doing the prep well the first time.
The low-fibre diet
Your instructions will tell you when to begin low-fibre eating. In the Glycoprep-O pathway used in our clinic guide, this begins four days before the colonoscopy. Suitable foods include eggs, low-fat plain yoghurt, skim milk, white bread, white pasta, white rice, steamed white fish, boiled chicken and well-cooked peeled potato. Avoid fruit, vegetables, brown bread, cereals, nuts and seeds.
On the day before your procedure, follow the meal cut-off on your issued sheet and then use clear fluids only. Clear fluids are ones you can see through, such as water, clear apple juice, black tea or coffee, clear broth, lemonade and plain jelly. See the low-fibre diet guide for a practical food list.
Avoid anything red or purple for the 24 hours before — coloured fluids can be mistaken for blood during the procedure.
The prep drink — when and how
Bowel-preparation products use different schedules. Take each tablet, sachet and final dose at the exact time printed on your issued instructions; do not substitute a generic online timetable.
If you were issued Glycoprep-O, use our Glycoprep-O bowel preparation guide alongside your appointment instructions. It explains the kit, the three-litre mixture and the separate morning and afternoon schedules.
Stay close to a bathroom from about an hour after the first dose. The output progresses from solid to liquid to clear/yellow over the next few hours.
Tips for getting through it
- Chill the prep drink in the fridge — much easier to tolerate cold.
- Sip steadily, don’t gulp — drink the prescribed volume over 1–2 hours, not 10 minutes.
- Use a straw — bypasses your tongue’s taste receptors.
- Have a chaser ready — a sip of clear lemonade or clear apple juice between mouthfuls helps.
- Suck on a lemon wedge between sips if the taste is overwhelming.
- Stay hydrated with extra clear fluids — dehydration makes the headache and fatigue worse.
- Block out the time — don’t try to work, drive or have visitors during the active prep window.
What if you can’t tolerate it?
If you vomit, cannot finish the preparation or are unsure whether it is working, call Colonoscopy Brisbane for individual advice. Do not change the dose, product or timing based only on general online information.
Do not attend without telling us if you could not complete the preparation, because the procedure may not be safe or complete.
Day-of-procedure rules
Take the final portion at the time on your issued sheet. The clinic guide has different final-dose times for morning and afternoon procedures. Clear fluids are limited to 200 mL at a time and must stop 2 hours before the procedure, unless your individual instructions say otherwise.
Take medicines only as instructed. Blood thinners, diabetes medicines, GLP-1 medicines and iron require individual instructions; contact the clinic before changing them if you are unsure.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Bring your support person, your referral letter and your Medicare card.
About your specialist — Dr Goutham Sivasuthan
Dr Goutham Sivasuthan is an Australian-trained specialist surgeon, with conjoint accreditation by the Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) in both upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy. He completed his medical degree at the University of Queensland and his advanced training across Brisbane’s tertiary hospitals.
Dr Goutham consults and operates exclusively at Brisbane-region day-surgery and hospital facilities, and is the only clinician you’ll meet through your care — from your first consultation, through your procedure, to your follow-up. He is committed to no-gap care for insured patients and transparent pricing for everyone else.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drink coffee during prep?
Yes — black coffee (no milk) is permitted as a clear fluid up to 2 hours before the procedure. Avoid coffee with milk and avoid red or purple flavoured drinks.
What if I’m diabetic?
We provide specific instructions. Most diabetic medications are adjusted on prep day; insulin doses are usually reduced. Bring your glucose meter and check more often than usual. Severe hypoglycaemia is rare but worth being prepared for.
Can I take my regular blood pressure medication?
Yes, with a sip of water on the morning of the procedure unless we’ve specifically said otherwise.
What if I’m constipated and the prep doesn’t seem to be working?
Some patients need a bit more time. If you haven’t started passing clear/yellow fluid 6 hours after the prep, call us — we can advise. Don’t add more prep drink without instruction.
Will I be exhausted afterwards?
Most patients feel tired the morning of the procedure from being up for the prep. After the procedure, the sedation wears off over a few hours and most people are back to normal energy by the next morning.
This article is part of our specialist series on bowel and gut health. For the full overview, see our main service page.
