Your procedure
Dr Lim’s endoscopy lists at The Duchy Hospital run on Friday mornings.
The guidance below gives an idea of what the bowel preparation before your procedure will be like. You should have been emailed instructions when your appointment was booked.
Watch how to take Plenvu
Before you start, please watch the short video from Norgine, the makers of Plenvu, showing how to prepare and take it. It is on the front page of their patient website, bowelcleansingmatters.co.uk. You can also reach it by scanning the QR code on your Plenvu leaflet.
Bowel preparation with Plenvu
A colonoscopy needs a completely clear bowel, because even small amounts of stool can hide something important. If the bowel is not clear, the procedure may have to be repeated another day.
Download the Plenvu morning appointment leaflet (PDF, 0.5 MB). Supplied by Norgine, the makers of Plenvu.
For a Friday morning appointment, you take Plenvu on Thursday, the day before:
- Until 1pm on Thursday
- Eat low-fibre food only (see the food guide below). After 1pm, eat nothing more until after your procedure.
- 5pm: first dose
- Empty the Dose 1 sachet into a jug and add water to make 500ml. Stir until dissolved, then sip slowly over 60 minutes. Drink an extra 500ml of clear fluid alongside it.
- 9pm: second dose
- Empty Dose 2 sachets A and B together into a jug and add water to make 500ml. Stir until dissolved, then sip slowly over 60 minutes, with another 500ml of clear fluid.
- Overnight and Friday morning
- Keep drinking clear fluids to stay hydrated.
- 2 hours before your appointment
- Stop drinking. Nothing more to eat or drink until after your procedure.
Clear fluids are water, clear soup with no bits, tea or coffee without milk, and soft drinks or cordial (not blackcurrant). Do not drink alcohol.
Low-fibre food guideFor meals until 1pm on Thursday
Choose
- White bread, white rice, white pasta
- Boiled or mashed potatoes (no skins)
- Skinless chicken, grilled or poached fish
- Eggs, cheese, tofu
- Butter or margarine, shredless jam or marmalade
- Plain natural yoghurt, ice cream, custard
- Clear soups, tea, coffee
Avoid
- Wholemeal, brown or seeded bread
- Wholemeal pasta, brown rice
- Red meat, sausages, pies
- Vegetables, fruit, salad
- Nuts, seeds, pulses, baked beans
- Potato skins, chips
- Cakes, biscuits, puddings with fruit or nuts
Tips for taking Plenvu
- Expect frequent, watery bowel movements, so stay close to a toilet.
- Plenvu is easier to drink chilled. Once dissolved, it can be kept in the fridge.
- Try drinking through a straw, or add a little cordial for flavour (not blackcurrant).
- You can alternate sips of Plenvu with sips of clear fluid.
- Wet wipes and a barrier cream such as petroleum jelly help prevent soreness.
Norgine’s patient website has more guidance for people prescribed Plenvu: bowelcleansingmatters.co.uk.
Always follow the written instructions sent with your appointment.