Pre-Op procedures for Clean out?

I have actually been scheduled for my surgery. Its the first one of the day on Friday, so I have to be at the hospital at 6AM, oh well its not like I was going to sleep anyway. But my husband probably would have liked to sleep.

But here's my question. The doctor doesn't use any prep. Just NPO after midnight. Not that I am complaining really, but it seems a bit odd, given all the reading I have done on this site and my previous 3 resections. I am pretty much just doing liquids at this point, with a few saltines thrown in, but its full liquids and not a clean out by any means. I am thinking of doing a few doses of miralax the night before just for good measure, because better safe than sorry.

I don't know this surgeon, other than my GI recommends him highly and he is head of lap surg at my hospital. But the odd thing is that I also had an appointment with my GP yesterday and she didn't seem to like the surgeon. I couldn't get her to tell me what the problem was, other than she thought I should maybe get a second opinion, but she didn't have anyone to recommend. I have known my GI for about 4 or 5 years and trust him a lot more than my GP, who is new to me. My GI was trained by one of my former GI's who I saw for 15+ years on a consult basis in Boston.

The more reading I do, the more I find this a bit odd, plus he said he has patients on clear liquids on the day of surgery, if they tolerate. Maybe I am just 14 years away from surgery and things have changed a lot. Has anyone NOT had to do a clean out before surgery? So do I trust him because I really trust my GI? What do you guys, the experts think?

I've not had bowel prep before my last three operations, all I had to do was go on clear fluids for 2 days before. Last op was 6 years ago so times do change.

I had to do a prep (Miralax). However, I was allowed some grape juice the same day as surgery. They gave me something called reglan (helps your stomach empty), so I imagine that's why clear liquids are allowed the day of surgery. Good luck!

I had a bowel resection 4 weeks ago in the UK. My op was scheduled for the Tuesday and I went in on the Mon at 5pm. I was told to eat and drink normally until then. I fully expected to have to take a prep like moviprep overnight. However I was given some dinner then at 9pm was given an enema and told to try to keep in in as long as I could. I lasted about 5 mins !!. Then at 6am on the next morning was given another, which again stayed in 5 mins. The nurses didnt seem worried. I asked why they didnt give me full bowel prep, I was told that the dehydration etc is seen to make your recovery slower. I note what Nanners said about infection. I have had an infection in my drain site, the swab showed organic material and fecal matter. However, I have had a course of antibiotics and seem to be much better now. The infection didnt cause me pain, just annoyed me by leaking constantly.

Good luck with your resection, hope it all goes well

I asked about that, too when I had my resection and the Dr. said it wasn't necessary and added that he had gunshot wounds in the ER all the time and they didn't do the prep.

Hi y'all. I haven't been around much in years, but it's so nice to come back and see familiar names.

I had a resection of the sigmoid colon/descending colon and I had to drink the big mamma of all preps, Go-Litely...... Maybe it has something to do with where they will be doing the resection. I didn't have antibiotics post surgery either. No infections. Good luck with yours.

For my surgery a couple of weeks ago, I did 1 sachet of miralax the day before. I thought I had cleaned out, but my surgeons said I was obstructed. And boy, a couple of days after surgery, it came out with a vengeance! lol

So you will be having open surgery too? It's tough, as you know, but hang in there, the first two weeks are the roughest. I'm approaching the third week and feel a lot better. Still have a little trouble moving around, but not nearly as much pain. First, I took percocet, then switched to tylenol 3 around the clock at home. Still taking T3, although I probably could start getting off of it now. My incision is still draining, but surgeon said it's okay. I also had a hysterectomy, as you probably remember.

Anyway, good luck, and come back and report how you're doing when you feel up to it. I'll being saying a prayer for your recovery and remission.

Roni