BMC’s Yawkey building doors are now closed as an entrance as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance our campus and provide you with the best clinical care.

All patients and visitors on our main campus must enter our hospital via Shapiro, Menino, or Moakley buildings, where they will be greeted by team members at a new centralized check-in desk before continuing to the hospital. We are excited to welcome you and appreciate your patience as we improve our facilities.

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The day you schedule your appointment

  • Plan time off of work for the day of your colonoscopy.
  • You MUST have an escort to come into the hospital and take you home after the colonoscopy. Please start making these arrangements.

Seven Days Before Your Appointment

  • If you are taking Iron pills (e.g. Ferrous sulfate), stop taking them until after the test.
  • Take all of your other usual medications

Two Days Before Your Appointment

  • Drink plenty of liquids - at least 8 glasses of water/fluids today
  • STOP eating high fiber foods such as vegetables and beans until after your test. You can eat all other types of foods today.

The Day Before Your Appointment

  • DO NOT EAT ANY SOLID FOOD OR THICK LIQUIDS AFTER 12 PM NOON.
  • YOU MAY HAVE A CLEAR LIQUID DIET ONLY
  • Examples of CLEAR LIQUIDS are: water, apple juice, clear broth, Jell-O, tea/coffee without

    milk/cream, sodas, sports drinks, and popsicles, but nothing red colored.

The Day of Your Appointment

  • Do not eat or drink anything on the morning of your procedure.
  • Dress in loose fitting, two-piece clothing
  • If you have diabetes: Take half the dose of your insulin on the day of procedure and skip diabetes pill(s) unless directed otherwise. You should check your blood sugar level in the morning.
  • Take all of your other regular medications at least two hours prior to your test.

If you cannot keep this appointment or have questions, please call 617-638-6525.