Preparing for your Procedure
Please read carefully the following general instructions that apply to patients having any of the following procedures.
- Colonoscopy
- Gastroscopy
- Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy
- Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
It is important that patients also read instructions specific to the procedure or procedures they are having. Please click on the appropriate link below to read and/or print the instructions provided for your procedure.
General Instructions
For all procedures, please be sure to arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment.
Confirmation: Please call to confirm your appointment with us at least 5 days in advance. There will be a fee of $200.00 for any cancellation made within 3 business days prior to the procedure.
Health Card: Patients must present a valid provincial Health Card or OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) at the time of their appointments as per the Ministry of Health.
Referral Letter: All new patients must be referred to Holly Endoscopy Clinic by a doctor.
Sedation: If you choose to have sedation, YOU CANNOT DRIVE FOR 24 HOURS after your procedure. You must bring a responsible adult with you who can escort you home from the clinic. We recommend that this individual stay with you for 3-4 hours following your departure from the clinic.
Preparing your body in general
If you are taking prescribed medications, please continue those medications before and after the procedure with the following exceptions:
Blood thinners should be stopped in advance of your procedure, otherwise, removal of polyps or biopsies may cause bleeding (the blood thinners can be resumed the day after the procedure or when recommended by your cardiologist). The discontinuation of these medications should only be done at the discretion of your cardiologist (see list of blood thinners below):
Plavix (Clopodogrel) and Brillinta (Ticagrelor) should be discontinued 5 days prior to your procedure.
If you are on Coumadin (Warfarin), you will have to stop it 5 days prior to the procedure and have an INR test done 24 hours before your appointment at any laboratory. Ask your laboratory to then fax the results to us immediately at (416) 486-7888.
Apixaban (Eliquis) should be stopped 2 days before your procedure.
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) should be stopped 2 days before your procedure.
Aspirin, Advil, Aleve, and Entrophen can be taken until the night before.
If you have a pacemaker, please notify the team member screening you at the time of your appointment booking. We will need approval from your cardiologist prior to setting a procedure date for you.
If you have taken Gravol prior to your procedure, notify the anesthesiologist before the procedure.
If you are diabetic and on oral medication, please continue to take your medication. Take one tin of diabetic Ensure or Glucerna at each mealtime during your preparation for the colonoscopy and make an early morning appointment. If you are an insulin-dependent diabetic, please consult with your endocrinologist regarding your insulin requirement.
Stop taking oral iron tablets 2 days before your procedure.
If you use an inhaler or use nitroglycerin in any form, please bring it with you to your appointment.
Detailed instructions for specific procedures:
For your convenience, you can read and print instructions for your procedure (listed on the left) as a PDF file.
Informed Consent
Prior to your procedure you will be asked to sign a Consent Form — click here to download. Please read carefully and at the time of the appointment you will be asked to sign it and ask your doctor any related questions.