Preparing for Your Procedure

After you have booked your appointment, an email message will be sent to you with confirmation of your date and time, and detailed preparation instructions.

Please arrange to have someone with you at the end of your appointment, as you will not be allowed to drive yourself and if may be uncomfortable for you to walk unaccompanied from your appointment.

One Week Before Your Colonoscopy

It is very important to follow the preparation instructions exactly, to ensure your colon has been properly cleansed, up to one week before the procedure.

The purpose of cleaning out your colon is to ensure that your physician has a clear view of the lining of the colon (where polyps grow). If you don’t follow a clear liquid diet or take the laxatives as prescribed, your bowel may not be completely empty. If your bowel is not empty, the test will not be successful and may have to be repeated.

Please avoid aspirin-containing medications for five (5) days prior to your procedure.

If you have been prescribed Aspirin, Coumadin (Warfarin) or Plavix (or any other blood thinner), please check with your physician before you stop taking these medications prior to your procedure.

Day of Your Procedure

• You may have a glass of water four (4) hours prior to your test. For example, if your appointment is at 9 a.m., you may have water up until 5 a.m. only.
• Do NOT eat any solid food prior to your appointment
• Please take your regular medication the morning of your appointment, except for blood thinners, with sips of water only, 4 hours prior to your appointment.

Arrival and Registration at Reception

Medcan is located at 150 York Street. For directions and instructions on parking, including details on our valet parking service, click here.

Please plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time. Our reception team on the 15th floor will be pleased to greet you on arrival and complete your registration.

We encourage you to let our team know at any time if there’s anything we can do to make you more comfortable.

Change Room and Lockers

You will be shown to our clean and comfortable change room, where you may stow personal items in the lockers and change into the medical gown provided.

Procedure Preparation

You will then be shown to our comfortable and private preparation room to await your procedure. During this time, nursing team will review your medical history and current medications with you.

An intravenous (IV) will be started. The laxatives you have taken can cause you to be dehydrated, so the IV fluid will help to rehydrate you and prepare you for sedation for the exam.

You will be given conscious sedation for this procedure. This means that our goal is to keep you comfortable for the procedure but not necessarily put you to sleep. Quite often our clients are awake and talking with us throughout the examination.

Procedure and Recovery

The procedure will be conducted by the physician (gastroenterologist) and takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Throughout the procedure and recovery phase the nursing staff will monitor your vital signs.

Following the procedure you will stay in the recovery area for at least 30 minutes. You will be provided with a catered snack and beverages while in recovery.

Your physician will speak with you before you leave to let you know the findings of the colonoscopy, and will provide you with any follow-up recommendations.