Dr Chia Chung KingGastroenterology & Hepatology

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Preparing for your colonoscopy

A clean bowel lets Dr Chia see clearly, so that small and flat polyps are not missed. This sheet follows the standard GUTCARE bowel preparation with Picoprep, taken as a split dose. Your personalised instructions from the clinic, with your own dates and times, always come first. More about the procedure: colonoscopy.

Name

Colonoscopy date

Procedure time

Report at (time)

Place

1st dose (day before), usually 6pm

2nd dose (procedure day)

Last sips of water by

Key times at a glance

  • 2 days before: low-fibre diet, both days.
  • The day before: light dinner at 5 to 6pm, then the 1st dose of Picoprep, usually at 6pm. After the 1st dose, clear fluids only, no more food.
  • Procedure day: the 2nd dose about 5 hours before the procedure. No breakfast. Sips of plain water until about 2 hours before.

Step 1 · 2 days before: low-fibre diet

Avoid

  • Wholegrain or high-fibre products, such as oatmeal, brown rice, multigrain or wholemeal bread, bran cereals and granola
  • Beans, lentils, peas and corn, including dhal, chickpeas, baked beans, and red or green bean soup
  • Nuts and seeds, such as peanuts, almonds, sesame and chia seeds
  • Vegetables, mushrooms and seaweed, including salads, kimchi and pickles
  • Fruits, fresh or dried, including raisins, dates and juice with pulp

You can eat

  • White rice, white rice porridge or white noodles, such as kway teow, bee hoon, mee sua or plain pasta
  • White bread or plain crackers, with butter, honey or tuna
  • Potatoes without skin, boiled or mashed
  • Fish, seafood, chicken, meat, eggs and tofu, cooked plainly without vegetables
  • Clear soups without vegetables
  • Milk, plain yoghurt without fruit, and cheese
  • Coffee or tea

Vegetarian or vegan? Tofu, tau kwa and plain tau huay, plain soy or rice milk, plain mock meat made from wheat gluten, eggs and dairy if you take them, and strained clear vegetable broth are all suitable. Still avoid beans, lentils, dhal, chickpeas, nuts, seeds and vegetables for these 2 days.

Step 2 · The day before

  • Have a light dinner at 5 to 6pm.
  • 1st dose: mix 1 sachet of Picoprep in 150 ml (about half a cup) of cold water, stir for 2 to 3 minutes and drink it all. Then drink at least 5 glasses (250 ml each) of clear fluids over the next few hours, not only plain water.
  • After the 1st dose, take clear fluids only. No more food.
  • Expect many bowel movements. Plan to stay at home after drinking.

Clear fluids: water, clear soup or broth, clear apple juice without pulp, isotonic drinks, and tea or coffee without milk. Avoid red or purple drinks.

Step 3 · Procedure day

  • 2nd dose, about 5 hours before the procedure: mix 1 sachet of Picoprep in 150 ml of cold water and drink it all. Then drink at least 3 glasses (250 ml each) of clear fluids, finishing by the time on your instructions.
  • No breakfast. Stay fasted.
  • You may take sips of plain water until about 2 hours before the procedure.
  • Bring your NRIC. Leave valuables at home.
  • Do not drive, as you will be sedated. Arrange for someone to take you home.

If the clinic has given you Fortrans instead, dissolve each sachet in 1 litre of water and drink one glass (250 ml) every 10 to 15 minutes until it is finished. It is easier to drink chilled, or through a straw.

Is my bowel ready?

Check your stool after the 2nd dose. Your bowel is clean when the stool is clear or pale yellow liquid, like weak tea, with no bits.

Brown, with solid bitsNot ready
Brown liquidNot ready
Dark yellow, cloudyKeep going
Yellow, almost clearNearly
Clear pale yellowReady

Still brown or with bits by the time you report? Tell the nurse at the Endoscopy Centre.

Your medicines

  • Iron tablets: stop 7 days before the procedure. Restart the day after.
  • Blood thinners: do not stop them yourself. Dr Chia will tell you whether and when to stop, and when to restart.
  • SGLT2 diabetes tablets: do not take them for the 2 days before and on the procedure day. Restart when you are eating and drinking normally.
  • Weekly GLP-1 injections: if a dose falls in the 7 days before the procedure, skip it and take it the day after.
  • Other diabetes medicines and insulin: the clinic will give you a plan. Check your blood sugar every 2 to 4 hours the day before, and every hour on the procedure day if you can. If it is below 4 mmol/L, drink 200 ml of clear apple juice and recheck after 15 minutes.
  • Blood pressure medicines: take them as usual, about 30 minutes before the bowel preparation.

If something goes wrong

  • Nausea or bloating: stop drinking for 30 to 60 minutes, then continue more slowly.
  • Vomiting: if you cannot keep the preparation down, call the clinic.
  • Dizziness or weakness: sit down, drink more clear fluids, and get up slowly.
  • Sore bottom: use soft wet wipes and a barrier cream such as petroleum jelly.
  • No bowel movement after 3 hours: keep drinking clear fluids and walk around.

After the procedure

Rest for the rest of the day. If there is an important finding, you will see Dr Chia on the same day. Otherwise, a nurse will update you on the initial findings and arrange a review with Dr Chia 1 to 2 weeks later, when all the reports are back.

Go to A&E or call 995 if you have severe abdominal pain, faint, vomit blood, have heavy bleeding, or feel very unwell.

Clinic contacts. Mount Elizabeth Novena +65 6734 3435 · Mount Alvernia +65 6258 0508 · WhatsApp +65 8223 5134

General information only. Reviewed by Dr Chia Chung King, 2026-11-07. Book a consultation.

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