Capsule endoscopy patient preparation
The day before
- After lunch on the day before the capsule examination, you
should start a clear liquid diet.
Fluids allowed are tea, and coffee, clear (no-bits) fruit
juices, water, etc
- From 10pm, on the evening before the procedure, you should not
drink anything except for a
sip of water with any necessary medication
- Please abstain from smoking for 24 hours before undergoing the
procedure
- Male patients will need to shave their abdomens 15cm above and
below their navels on the
day of the procedure
On the day
- Please wear loose clothes on the day
- You should not take any medication during the 2 hours before
the capsule endoscopy
- When you arrive at the Endoscopy Unit you will be seen by the
Capsule Endoscopy Nurse and
your consent will be taken
- Small adhesive pads will be applied to your abdomen. These
will be connected to the data
recorder, which is worn on a belt around your waist
- You will then be asked to swallow the capsule with some
water.
After swallowing the capsule
- You will be asked not to eat or drink for 2 hours, after which
time you may have clear fluids.
After 4 hours you can have a light snack
- Once you have swallowed the capsule, you must not go near any
source of powerful
electromagnetic fields (such as an MRI scanner) for 8
hours
- The procedure will last for 8 hours. During this time you are
free to walk around. You may
leave the Endoscopy Unit if you wish but we advise that
you remain within walking distance
- You should keep a record of your activity (including eating
and drinking) on the capsule
endoscopy event form that has been given to you
After treatment
- You will be given a time to return to the Endoscopy Unit when
you will be asked to hand-back
the equipment and the Capsule Endoscopy event form
- You can then leave the Endoscopy Unit and eat and drink
normally
- The Capsule Endoscopy images will be analysed by a doctor from
the Capsule Endoscopy
team and a report will be sent to your specialist.