Dietary Instructions for Afternoon GI Procedures

When GI procedures (endoscopy and colonoscopy) are scheduled in the morning (7 a.m. to noon), it is important to not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before. The only exception would be medications that can be taken with a sip of water.

For procedures that are scheduled to start after noon, it is okay to drink clear liquids (black coffee or tea without sugar or milk, water, Seven-Up, Ginger Ale or apple juice) until 5 hours before the start time of the procedure. You should still not eat any solid food after midnight the night before. As examples:

• If your procedure is scheduled for 1 p.m., you should not eat any solid food after midnight the night before but can have clear liquids until 8 a.m. of the day of the procedure. You should not eat or drink anything after 8 a.m. or the procedure may be cancelled.
• If your procedure is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., you should not eat any solid food after midnight the night before but can have clear liquids until 8:30 a.m. of the day of the procedure. You should not eat or drink anything after 8:30 a.m. or the procedure may be cancelled.
• If your procedure is scheduled for 2 p.m., you should not eat any solid food after midnight the night before but can have clear liquids until 9 a.m. of the day of the procedure. You should not eat or drink anything after 9 a.m. or the procedure may be cancelled.
• If your procedure is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., you should not eat any solid food after midnight the night before but can have clear liquids until 9:30 a.m. of the day of the procedure. You should not eat or drink anything after 9:30 a.m. or the procedure may be cancelled.
• If your procedure is scheduled for 3 p.m., you should not eat any solid food after midnight the night before but can have clear liquids until 10 a.m. of the day of the procedure. You should not eat or drink anything after 10 a.m. or the procedure may be cancelled.

If you have questions regarding this, please call the GI endoscopy office at 860-679-4784.