You can usually start eating light, easily digestible foods like soup, crackers, toast, or plain chicken soon after you get home from your colonoscopy, but it's best to ease back into solids for the first 24 hours, avoiding spicy, fatty, or high-fiber foods. If polyps were removed or biopsies taken, your doctor might advise a stricter diet, so always follow their specific instructions for a gradual return to your normal diet the following day.
It is usually OK for you to eat after your colonoscopy procedure. In some cases, if you have a lot of large polyps removed, your doctor may place you on a restricted diet. But most patients can return to their normal diet right away. Typically, you can return to normal activities the day after your procedure.
While no foods are strictly off-limits after a colonoscopy, it can help to eat gentle, easily digestible foods for the first day or two post-procedure and temporarily avoid foods that can cause gut irritation, such as high-fiber foods, greasy foods, or spicy foods.
“Immediately after a colonoscopy, avoid fast food and high-fat foods,” says Dr. Richardson. Why? Foods that are high in saturated fat tend to be tougher for your body to digest, which means they make your bowels work harder too.
The First Week after a Colonoscopy
However, our patients should not hesitate to take more time to rest if needed. If polyps are found and removed during a colonoscopy procedure, the recovery period will be slightly longer. After polyps are removed it can take up to a week for the patient to fully recover.
How long after a colonoscopy can you eat normally? In general, you can eat normally within a day after your colonoscopy. However, your physician may recommend a restricted diet, such as soft foods or low-residue foods that are gentle on your digestive system.
Recovering patients should prioritize low-fiber foods that are gentle on the digestive system. Meanwhile, dairy should be avoided as these foods can be difficult to digest.
Fruit juices without pulp, such as grape juice, filtered apple juice, and cranberry juice. Soup broth (bouillon or consommé) Clear sodas, such as ginger ale and Sprite. Gelatin.
“Immediately after a colonoscopy, avoid fast food and high-fat foods,” says Dr. Richardson. Why? Foods that are high in saturated fat tend to be tougher for your body to digest, which means they make your bowels work harder too.
The sedatives used during the procedure may leave you feeling drowsy, so rest is vital. Avoid any strenuous activities, such as exercise or heavy lifting, for at least 24 hours. This will help your body recover from the sedatives and allow your digestive system to return to normal.
You will have loose bowel movements (poops) for 8 to 12 hours during your prep and will need to be close to a bathroom. Because you may be sleepy after the procedure, do not plan to operate any machinery, cook by yourself, or make any important decisions later that day.
After a colonoscopy, you will need to be driven home by a friend or family member since you will still be recovering from sedation. It is also recommended that you have someone with you for the first 24 hours after you leave our endoscopy center.
Do not eat foods that may cause bloating and gas, such as beans, onions, garlic, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, chocolate or spicy foods. You can start eating regular foods the next day.
Most colon polyps have the potential to become cancerous, which is why healthcare providers remove them during a colonoscopy. But very few of them actually do turn into cancer, and it takes a long time for them to do so. Routine colonoscopies remove polyps before they have the chance to become cancer.
After having a colonoscopy, it's normal for bowel movements to be irregular at first. You may notice loose bowels, which can be a side effect of the medication used during the test. If bowel movements are still abnormal after a week, let your doctor know.
Food and drink
Have a light breakfast, such as boiled egg on toast (white bread), before 9am. After this, do not eat any solid food until after procedure the next day. You can drink clear fluids until 3 hours before your procedure time.
Liquids that you can see through at room temperature (about 78-72 degrees Fahrenheit) are considered clear liquids. This includes clear juices, broths, hard candy, ices and gelatin.
Feel hungry? Try bone broth or an Ensure Clear nutrition drink. Decaffeinated drinks also have been proven to decrease hunger pangs.
Foods that are easy to digest and good to eat after a colonoscopy include:
For your safety, do not drive, operate machinery, or power tools for at least 8 hours after getting sedation. Your doctor may tell you not to drive or operate machinery until the day after your test. Do not sign legal documents or make major decisions for at least 8 hours after getting sedation.
Soft foods: Eat soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and applesauce until your throat feels better. Avoid rough foods: Stay away from dry or scratchy foods such as crackers, chips, or toast, as they can irritate your throat.
During the procedure, the endoscope is passed through your mouth or nose, which can cause irritation and mild trauma to the throat. The discomfort may also result from the anesthesia or sedation used during the procedure, which can leave your throat feeling dry or sore as the effects wear off.
It is generally recommended to avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, or consuming alcohol for at least 24 hours after the procedure to allow the body to recover fully. For more intensive activities, such as sports or physically demanding work, waiting 48 hours or until cleared by your healthcare provider is advised.
Even under deep sedation, you will not remain asleep for long: That effect usually wears off within 30 minutes of the removal of the IV. You may feel bloated or pass gas for a few hours after the exam, but walking could help relieve the discomfort.
Most people can fly 24 hours after a colonoscopy, but waiting longer offers extra safety. Risks include bleeding, discomfort, and cabin pressure effects. Taking precautions such as hydration and support from a companion improves safety. Medical escort services are a cost-effective option for stable patients.