Not asking for medical advice - combined gastroscopy and colonoscopy

thorsoak

Just to make it clear - I am not asking for medical advice, but would be glad if anyone has gone through this combined examination could let me know just what they wanted to eat afterwards?

My friend is going through this procedure next week, and we've arranged that I will take her and bring her back here afterwards - as she must have someone with her when she leaves and should not be left on her own, nor "any electrical equipment, including a kettle"(!) for the following 24 hours.

My query is - for anyone who has gone through these two procedures - what did you want to eat afterwards? And how soon? She has clear instructions about what she can and cannot eat in the 72 hours up to the procedure - but what did you want to eat afterwards?

Thanks in advance!

clairec79

I've not had the colonoscopy just the gastroscopy - afterwards my throat was quite scratchy and I mainly wanted to drink, wasnt allowed to for 20 minutes and I watched that second hand going round and downed three glasses of water (they advise you to sip - but damn it I needed that water) - we stopped for lunch on way home but had something fairly soft - think I had a jacket potato (I arranged a lift incase I'd ended up with sedation as was given the option). Within hours though I was eating and drinking normally

The not being alone is due to the sedation they give you rather than the procedure itself - I didn't have sedation so was fine (my father who'd had the both and was sedated was surprised how unaffected I was - it's definately the sedation rather than anything else

Artytarty

Yes, I was give the he same advice after a tooth extraction using some weird drug that wiped my memory!
My mother brought me home, went upstairs to put my electric blanket on and came dWn to find me chopping veg for dinner with a very large knife, I was quite out of it.
My memories of the drive home slowly returned but not the memory of the procedure itself.
Hope all goes well for your friend.

happy35

I didn't want to eat anything just was really thirsty, although I was starving a few hours later and had chip shop chips.

Some people must be starving though as the person released with me and went out the car park at the same timedrove straight into mcdonalds.

Redacted

I've had both procedures but not at the same time. After colonoscopies, I'm quite gassy so don't feel like eating. When I do I want my sickness comfort foods or decent soup.

Ames

I had both a few weeks ago. I wanted to eat anything! I was so hungry by then. I'd taken a Tesco meal deal with me, although with hindsight the crisps weren't a great idea. Like Happy35 above I was really, really thirsty, a big bottle of water when I came out would have been fantastic.

They gave me a cup of tea and a biscuit afterwards, I couldn't leave until I'd had them.

I think the leaflet recommended not to have spicy food. If there's anything that sets of her symptoms that's probably not a good idea.

I was really hoping I'd be out in time to go to Toby Carvery for one of their breakfasts, but was just too late.

If she can't be left alone though then it suggests she's having a sedative, so she might just want to sleep instead. I can't have sedative so I don't know how that would affect appetite.

carlislelass

Hubby had both within an hour, wouldn't have anything except what they give you afterwards

iloveshopping93

I have only had a gastroscopy but immediately afterwards I did not fancy food and just water. I was sedated and it took me a little while to come round. My stomach was extremely bloated and uncomfortable afterwards, but I just had a sandwich around 1.5 hrs after the procedure. I would recommend easy to digest food (nothing scratchy i.e crisps).

Primrose

I have had both procedures but thankfully not at the same session.
If your friend opts for sedation you can act a little " drunkenly" for several hours afterwards so obviously no driving or trying to use complicated electrical equipment in the kitchen. Just resting for a few hours is the sensible thing to do even if you feel "normal".

Gastroscopies can leave your throat feeling a little sore so no scratchy foods like corn flakes, muesli, crisps" etc. A dish of soft mashed potatoes with tasty cheese melted in while mixed hot might be appreciated or some smooth soup.

Prior to a colonscopy your bowels have a massive clear out with supercharged laxatives so best afterwards to avoid any foods like fruit and vegetables which can prolong the effect of having "the trots". Probably some honey flavoured porridge or a soft brown bread sandwich will fill the bill. And keep up with taking fluids.