A colonoscopy is a common medical procedure used to examine the inside of your large intestine (colon and rectum). During a colonoscopy, your doctor inserts a long, flexible tube called a colonoscope into your rectum. The colonoscope has a small camera at its tip that allows your doctor to view the inside of your colon on a monitor. If necessary, small pieces of tissue (biopsy) can be removed for further testing or growths can be removed.
A colonoscopy is often used to screen for colon cancer and other diseases of the colon. It may also be recommended if you have symptoms such as blood in your stool, changes in bowel movements, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss. Preparation for a colonoscopy involves following a liquid diet and using strong laxatives or enemas to thoroughly clean out the colon. This allows your doctor to get the best view of the colon lining during the procedure.
Most people are interested in getting back to eating normally as soon as possible after their colonoscopy. This article provides guidance on how soon you can start eating solid foods after your colonoscopy procedure is complete.
When can I start eating after a colonoscopy?
Most doctors recommend that you can start eating solid foods about 1 to 2 hours after your colonoscopy is done. This allows time for the sedative medications used during the procedure to wear off. It also allows any gasses used to inflate the colon to be passed.
Your doctor will let you know when it is safe to start eating again. They will also provide post-procedure instructions on eating and diet as you resume your normal diet.
Here is a general timeline for eating after a colonoscopy:
Immediately after the procedure:
– Only clear liquids – Start with sips of water or sucking on ice chips. Clear sodas, apple juice, clear broth, popsicles, and gelatin are also good options. Avoid any red or purple liquids as they can look like blood.
1 hour after the procedure:
– Progress to soft, light foods – Examples include toast, crackers, yogurt, pudding, eggs, cereal, soup, mashed potatoes. Avoid heavy greasy foods immediately after.
2 hours after the procedure:
– Resume normal diet – At this point you can likely tolerate your regular diet. However, you may want to still avoid spicy, greasy or heavy foods for the rest of the day. Eat smaller, lighter meals for the first 24 hours.
Some doctors may adjust this timeline depending on factors like how long your colonoscopy took or if polyps were removed. Always follow your own doctor’s specific instructions on eating after your colonoscopy.
Why wait before eating solid foods after a colonoscopy?
There are a few reasons why doctors recommend waiting 1-2 hours before eating solid foods after a colonoscopy:
Allow sedation to wear off
Colonoscopies are often performed under conscious sedation using medicines to relax you and block pain. This sedation can slow down your digestion. Starting with clear liquids allows time for the sedative effects to wear off so you don’t choke or aspirate food into your lungs.
Allow gasses to pass
During the procedure, the doctor inflates your colon with air or carbon dioxide gas to allow them to see the colon walls better. After the colonoscopy, you’ll need to pass a lot of gas. Eating too soon can cause abdominal discomfort.
Reduce risk of nausea and vomiting
The colon prep, procedure itself, and sedation medications can cause nausea or vomiting. Eating too soon may trigger this. Clear liquids allow the stomach to settle.
Minimize complications
Rushing back to solid foods can increase risks if there was any trauma or bleeding in the colon. Soft foods are recommended initially for protection.
Improve recovery and healing
A brief rest period after the colonoscopy allows your colon to recover and heal if any biopsies or polyp removals were performed.
What are the risks of eating too soon?
Potential risks of eating solid foods too soon after your colonoscopy include:
– Choking or trouble swallowing if sedation has not worn off
– Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
– Increased risk of bleeding or perforation if the colon was traumatized
– Discomfort from gas buildup before gasses have passed
– Formation of a dependency on laxatives if the colon has not had time to adjust
To minimize risks, follow your doctor’s instructions on when to start eating and stick with a light diet for at least 24 hours after the procedure. Report any concerning symptoms like severe pain, bleeding, vomiting, dizziness or fever.
What should my first meals be after a colonoscopy?
Here are some good options for the first foods to eat after your colonoscopy:
Clear liquids
Water, ice chips, apple juice, clear broth, weak tea, black coffee, sports drinks, gelatin desserts, popsicles.
Soft, light foods
Toast, saltine crackers, soup, applesauce, bananas, cooked cereal, yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs.
Gentle fiber
Cooked carrots, canned peaches, peeled baked potato, white rice, cream of wheat, cheese, smooth nut butter.
Hydrating foods
Ice pops, jelly, chicken broth, coconut water, herbal tea, skim milk, melon cubes.
Soothing foods
Oatmeal, pudding, rice cereal, ice cream, cottage cheese, instant breakfast shakes.
Avoid spicy, greasy, or harsh high-fiber foods for the first day after your procedure. Chew thoroughly and eat smaller portions if you feel any discomfort.
What should I eat after a colonoscopy while avoiding constipation?
Many people experience constipation for a few days after a colonoscopy, due to the bowel prep and procedure itself. Here are some tips for what to eat while avoiding constipation:
– Drink lots of fluids – Prune juice, broths, warm liquids, caffeine drinks can stimulate bowel movements.
– Eat high-fiber foods – Berries, pears, plums, nuts, beans, whole grains. Just introduce gradually.
– Include probiotics – Yogurt with live cultures, kefir, buttermilk, fermented foods help balance gut bacteria.
– Eat magnesium-rich foods – Spinach, avocado, bananas, nuts, seeds, tofu, beans, whole grains.
– Choose healthy fats – Olive oil, avocados, nuts, salmon provide lubrication.
– Try smoothies – Blend fruits, leafy greens, yogurt, chia seeds as a nourishing drink.
– Avoid dehydration – Water, herbal tea, broths keep your stool soft.
– Minimize refined carbs – White bread, pasta, chips and junk foods are binding.
– Consider stool softeners – Ask your doctor if over-the-counter softeners may help.
Call your doctor if severe constipation lasts more than 3 days after your colonoscopy despite diet and laxative use.
What foods should be avoided after a colonoscopy?
Although you can generally resume your normal diet within 24 hours of a colonoscopy, there are some foods that are best avoided initially:
– Foods that commonly cause gas: beans, onions, broccoli, cabbage, apples, soda, alcohol.
– Very spicy foods that can irritate the GI tract.
– High-fiber foods: raw veggies, bran, nuts, seeds, popcorn, dried fruits.
– Fatty, greasy or fried fare: burgers, fries, chips, pizza.
– Dairy products if you are lactose intolerant.
– Tough meats or chewy breads that are hard to digest.
– Sugary foods like cookies, cakes, jams that cause loose stools.
– Caffeine, which stimulates the colon.
– Alcohol, which causes dehydration and stomach irritation.
If you feel completely back to normal within 24 hours, you can likely resume your regular eating. But a bland, lower fiber, gentler diet can help ease the colon back into full function after a colonoscopy. Avoid trigger foods if you feel gassy or bloated.
Sample menu for the first 24 hours
Here is a sample light menu for the first day after your colonoscopy:
Breakfast:
– 1 cup chicken broth
– 1 cup apple juice
– Oatmeal or cream of wheat
– Decaf tea or coffee
Lunch:
– Chicken noodle soup
– Saltine crackers
– Peeled peach
– Herbal iced tea
Dinner:
– Baked chicken breast
– White rice
– Cooked carrots
– Greek yogurt with blueberries
– Chamomile tea
Snacks:
– Hard-boiled egg
– Protein shake
– Applesauce
– Coconut water
– Banana
Stay hydrated with water, broths, diluted juices, or electrolyte drinks.
When to call your doctor
You should call your doctor if you experience:
– Severe abdominal pain
– Fever or chills
– Bloody stool
– Inability to pass stool 3 days or more after the colonoscopy
– Marked nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or weakness
These could be signs of a complication like perforation or significant bleeding, which may require prompt medical care. Otherwise, follow your doctor’s advice for returning to your usual diet after your colonoscopy. With some gentle nutrition in the first 24 hours, you should bounce back quickly.
Conclusion
Having a colonoscopy involves thorough preparation and cleansing of the bowels. This causes many people to look forward to eating normally again soon after the procedure is over.
Doctors typically recommend waiting at least 1-2 hours before starting clear liquids after your colonoscopy. After tolerating liquids, you can gradually progress to soft, bland, low-fiber foods over the next 24 hours. Avoid spicy, greasy, or gassy fare temporarily.
Starting with liquids allows time for sedation to wear off and helps avoid risks like vomiting or bleeding issues. Drink plenty of fluids after and choose soothing foods like oatmeal, yogurt, soups to get your colon back on track. With your doctor’s okay, you should be back to a normal diet within a day of your colonoscopy.
