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ABOUT YOUR DOCTOR
Dr. Michael Merrett
COLONOSCOPY
(Morning Procedure)
Dr Michael Merrett is a Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist who
specialises in advanced gastrointestinal endoscopic techniques.
Dr Merrett studied Medicine at Monash University (1977-1982), graduating
with honours. This was followed by four years postgraduate training in
Internal Medicine and then three years specialist training in
Gastroenterology at Prince Henry’s and St.Vincent’s hospitals in Melbourne.
This was followed by a two year appointment at Oxford University as a
Senior Research Fellow in Gastroenterology. This included research in
advanced endoscopic techniques and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. He has
been in private practice as a Gastroenterologist for 22 years and has
authored scientific publications in both Australian and International
medical journals.
Dr Merrett’s specialist interests include:
1. Colonoscopy and bowel cancer screening
2. Inflammatory Bowel Disease – Crohns Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and
Coeliac disease
3. ERCP (Endoscopy of the bile duct/liver and pancreas)
4. Endoscopic intervention in cancer, including stents throughout the GI
tract, NdYAG laser, APC therapy and gastrostomy tubes
5. Advanced therapies for Barrett’s oesophagus including Endoscopic
mucosal resection and HALO ablation
6. Gastric Balloons for management of obesity
7. Gastroesophageal reflux, including medical and endoscopic therapies
8. Routine gastroscopy
9. Capsule endoscopy (“pillcam”)
10. Jaundice and liver disease (excluding viral hepatitis)
FLEET INSTRUCTIONS
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Frankston Private Day Surgery
Level 2, 24-28 Frankston Flinders Road, Frankston
Admission time:
Please call the Frankston Private Day Surgery on 9781 6900
AFTER 2.00pm the working day prior to your procedure
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You need to purchase the following from your local pharmacy
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3x Coloxyl with Senna tablets
2x bottles (45ml) of Fleet phosphor-soda buffered saline mixture
Procedure Information and Patient Instructions
Date…………………………………………………………….………………………
Please note that on the day of your colonoscopy:
 You must not drive or operate machinery for the rest of the day.
 Wear loose, comfortable clothes.
 Do not bring valuables with you.
 Please bring your Private Health Insurance details, Medicare card, current
Pension/Health Care card, a current list of medications and your referral
letter with you.
 Arrange for someone to drive you home
Taxis are only permitted if you are accompanied by an adult.
You will need to have someone stay with you overnight after
the procedure
If you encounter any medical issues whilst preparing for your
procedure with Dr Michael Merrett please call his consulting rooms
on (03) 9781 6990 during business hours
Or for after-hours EMERGENCIES ONLY please call (03) 9387 1000
This information has been prepared to assist you in understanding what
happens during a colonoscopy. If you have ANY QUESTIONS please
discuss them with the Doctor before the examination. If you wish to have
full details of rare complications please ask before the Procedure.
PREPARATION FOR COLONOSCOPY
What is a Colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy allows the whole of the large bowel to be examined by directly looking
at the wall of the bowel, providing more accurate details than an x-ray. In certain
cases treatment through the instrument is possible, thereby avoiding an operation.
Please avoid eating cereal grains, multi grain breads, tomatoes,
passionfruit, poppy seeds, nuts or other seed fruits – three days prior
to your colonoscopy.
What happens during the examination?
Prior to the examination you will be given injections into a vein that will make you
drowsy and comfortable. It is likely that you will remember little or nothing about
the examination.
The colonoscope is a thin, flexible tube that is passed through the back passage and
gently manoeuvred along the large bowel. It contains special fibres and a small
video camera that allows the inside of the bowel to be inspected. The examination
usually takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.
Is the colonoscopy painful?
Most patients remember nothing about the test and therefore have no pain. If there
are a lot of loops in the bowel there can be some discomfort. Extra medication can
be given if this happens or the test may be stopped avoiding excessive pain.
The bowel must be well prepared to ensure accurate views of the bowel.
Please follow our instructions carefully. If you have any questions contact our
office on 9781-6990.
No solid foods, milk or orange juice are to be taken once you start drinking the
fleet preparation.
Additional *clear fluids must be taken in conjunction with the preparations to
avoid dehydration.
*Clear fluids: Lemonade, soda water, mineral water, apple/blackcurrant fruit
juice, sports drinks (Gatorade), Lucozade black tea/coffee, jelly, Bonox, clear
soups, water. Sugar is permitted in your tea/coffee.
DAY BEFORE COLONOSCOPY
7am
Take 3 Coloxyl with Senna tablets.
You may have breakfast only
3pm
Mix ONE bottle of fleet (45ml) with half a glass (125ml) of cool water
and drink.
Follow this with 3 glasses of your chosen clear fluid.
You will have loose motions in 10 minutes.
6pm
Mix remaining bottle of fleet (45ml) with half a glass (125ml) of
cool water and drink.
Follow this with at least 4 glasses of your
chosen clear fluid.
Medications
Iron tablets – these must be ceased 7 days prior to the colonoscopy
Blood thinning medications – please advise our office if you are taking aspirin or
Warfarin or any blood thinning medication.
Diabetics – Please advise our office as your medication may need to be adjusted a
few days before the colonoscopy. Please bring your Insulin with you on the day.
Are there any risks?
All tests, especially when associated with sedation are associated with some risk. If a
polyp (growth) needs to be removed, colonoscopy is the safest way of removing it.
As there is a risk of cancer with polyps we recommend that they be removed. There
is a slight risk of bleeding and there is a slight risk of perforation (making a hole in
the bowel wall). These complications may require surgery. Other complications are
rare and death is a remote possibility.
It is important to drink plenty of clear fluids for the rest of the
day/evening to avoid dehydration.
DAY OF COLONOSCOPY
You must have a complete fast (nothing to eat or drink 2 hrs prior to
procedure). Take medications with a sip of water (unless advised otherwise)
If you have any problems whilst taking these preparations, please
ring our office and we will be able to assist you: 9781 6990