Frequently Asked Questions

If you absolutely must cancel your procedure, please do so at least 7 days in advance so that we have time to schedule another patient in your place. Try not to cancel at the last minute since we will not be able to refill your time slot.

Depending on your insurance benefits, you may have a co-payment or deductible amount due before your procedure. There is a fee for the facility and a separate fee for the physician services. Please refer to your insurance benefits to know your financial responsibilities. For further questions or concerns, log in to Patient Portal and email our Billing Department, or call (305) 913-0680.

No. We will obtain any prior authorization needed for your procedure for our doctor and the facility, if required. For further questions or concerns regarding authorization, call our Authorization Department at (305) 913-0679.

If you have problems with your prep, call the office (305) 913-0666 and the nurse will advise you what to do. If the office is closed, leave a message so the person on call can contact you.

View a copy of prep instructions. Please call the office at (305) 913-0666 if you have further questions.

Your colon needs to be clear of stool the day of your test. If you eat solid food the day prior to your test, your bowel is still processing the food and creating stool. If you have stool in your colon during the procedure, this impairs the doctor's view, resulting in a possible repeat of the prep and the test.

Yes. You should take all of your usual medications (including blood pressure medicines) with a sip of water several hours before your procedure. EXCEPT DIABETES MEDICATIONS SHOULD NOT be taken the morning of the procedure since you have not eaten. Additionally, YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE ANY BLOOD THINNERS (COUMADIN, PLAVIX) or ASPIRIN CONTAINING MEDICINES 5-7 DAYS PRIOR TO THE PROCEDURE. If you have further questions, please call the office (305) 913-0666.

Yes. It is okay to still have your procedure if you are taking an antibiotic. If you are running a fever, you need to contact the office.

Yes. We want to have a baseline to anticipate any needs you may have during or after the procedure.

Your doctors have determined that it is safe to be off Coumadin for these few days. Coumadin is discontinued so if any polyps are found, your physician can safely remove them.

Yes. For your comfort, we do suggest that you wear a tampon.

This allows the nurse to get you checked in, complete the necessary paperwork, and start an IV.

You will be lightly sedated for your procedure, what we call a "twilight sleep". You will be able to hear the nurse and the doctor during the exam but may not remember the procedure once you are fully awake.

The average time for a patient to be there is approximately 2-3 hours.

Yes. You will be back to normal the day after, so you can return to your usual schedule.

Due to the type of sedation we use, your judgement and reflexes are impaired. Therefore, it is unsafe for you to operate a vehicle or machinery until the day after your procedure.

The time varies depending on the length of the procedure and individual recovery time. We generally give 2-3 hours as the time from arrival to departure.

Polyps are removed during the procedure, but occasionally their size makes it difficult to remove all of them at one time. This would most likely require another procedure and there may be a few other circumstances when this would be necessary, but usually one procedure is expected. Your doctor will discuss the findings and ongoing treatment plan for you with your family after you have recovered. Additionally, written discharge instructions will be given to you before you leave.