Before the colonoscopy
How do we prepare for a colonoscopy?
As part of the Svit Programme, the Center Svit will help you regarding the organization of examination. Your general practitioner will be included in the preparation for the colonoscopy as well as in the possible treatment.
You will visit your general practitioner before the examination, you will have a profound conversation and then they will perform a general check-up, which will determine whether your health condition is suitable for colonoscopy.
Visiting your general practitioner
Carefully read the instructions provided in the letter in which we informed you about the laboratory results of your stool sample analysis. Take the letter and all the enclosed documents to your general practitioner. Fill in the part of the questionnaire, which we have sent you, that refers to your family’s medical history (anamnesis). If you are not familiar with the details, contact the competent health institution. Your general practitioner will fill in all other sections of the questionnaire together with you. Gather all the results concerning your health condition in the recent period – your general practitioner may need them. Prepare a list of all the medications you are taking for other health problems. It is important that you tell your general practitioner exactly which medications are you taking regularly, because you may need to adjust the dosages before the colonoscopy. Do not stop taking any medications without your doctor’s consent and follow their instructions.
You must consult your general practitioner before the colonoscopy in case you have any of the following conditions:
– Diabetes;
– Kidney, heart or lung disease;
– High blood pressure, haemophilia, epilepsy or any other chronic disease.
Prepare any questions that you have about the course of the examination, so you can ask your general practitioner. To make sure you don’t forget anything, it’s best to write them down.
After visiting your general practitioner
After the appointment with your general practitioner, call us immediately on 01/620 45 21 and inform us whether you are (or are not) medically fit for a colonoscopy. Together, we will schedule the best time and place for your examination. We will also answer any of your additional questions. We will send you by post a notice about the confirmed date and time of the colonoscopy at the selected specialist clinic.
Colon cleansing
In order for the colonoscopy to be successful, your colon must be completely clean during the examination (without any stool residues).
If your colonoscopy appointment is scheduled for morning, you should read the Instructions for colon cleansing – Morning time.
If your colonoscopy appointment is scheduled for afternoon, you should read the Instructions for colon cleansing – Afternoon time.
The colonoscopy will be successful and safe only if you follow the instructions for colon cleansing thoroughly.
DO NOT FORGET
Take the following items to the institution where the colonoscopy will be performed:
- a valid Slovenian health care insurance card,
- a referral for a colonoscopy for screening purposes, which you have received from general practitioner,
- the questionnaire that you completed with your general practitioner,
- any previous results and medical documentation, which explain your health condition in detail,
- the colonoscopy brochure, where you wrote down your questions for the general practitioner,
- the medications you are taking for other diseases,
- pyjamas and toiletries only if you have been instructed to spend a night in hospital.