What is Capsule Endoscopy?
Capsule endoscopy is a procedure that uses a tiny wireless camera to take pictures of your digestive tract. The camera sits inside a vitamin-sized capsule that you swallow. As the capsule travels through your digestive tract, the camera takes thousands of pictures allowing doctors see inside your small intestine — an area that isn't easily reached with conventional endoscopy.
Preparation for Procedure
- If you take iron pills or multivitamins, please hold them 3 days prior to the procedure
- Continue all of your other regular medications as prescribed.
- The day prior to the procedure you may have Breakfast as usual.
- For Lunch and Dinner you must start a Clear Liquid Diet
- At 5pm the day before your procedure, take the Miralax Preparation
- Do not eat anything after midnight
- On the morning of the procedure please hold all medications until 2 hours after the video capsule is swallowed.
- Please wear loose-fitting clothes to the procedure.
- On the day prior to the procedure, please drink plenty of fluids so you do not become dehydrated and in order to achieve the best prep results.
During Procedure
On the day of your Capsule Endoscopy you will need to arrive at our office by 8:00am. You will be fitted with a sensor belt that wraps around the abdomen. This belt also holds the computer that records the images from the video capsule. Once the belt and recorder are fitted securely, you will be asked to swallow the video capsule with a small cup of water. Please do not remove the data recorder belt during the day. You can resume your usual daily activities but should avoid exercise, bending at the hip, and heavy lifting. 2 Hours after you swallow the capsule, you may take your prescription medications with a glass of water. 4 Hours after you swallow the capsule, you may have a light lunch (i.e. soup, half sandwich). Please return to the office at 4:30pm to return the belt and data recorder. Contact our office immediately if you have any abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting.
After Procedure
8 Hours after you swallow the capsule, you may resume your usual diet. Using the information from the recorder, a video will be generated. The capsule records eight hours of video taking over 56,000 pictures. Within 7-10 days, Dr. Singh will have reviewed the video and completed a report. The capsule will pass harmlessly in your stool within a week. There is no need to retrieve the capsule.
