Capsule endoscopy

Be sure to tell your doctor

• If you have trouble swallowing
• If you had belly surgery, a bowel blockage, or a narrowed bowel
• If you have a pacemaker
• All your medicines, especially iron tablets. The doctor will tell you what to stop and when
• Pregnancy

How to prepare

• The day before. Usually light food for 24 hours, and liquids during the day. No vegetables with skins, seeds, or berries with seeds.
• Cleansing. Often you are given a bowel cleansing solution, like before a colonoscopy. Drink it as your clinic instructs.
• Fasting. Usually no food for 10 to 12 hours before the test. Your clinic will give you the exact time.
• Clothes. Loose cotton clothes. Sensors will be stuck on your belly, or a belt with a recorder will be put on.

What to bring

• Your referral
• Reports from past gastroscopy and colonoscopy
• A list of your medicines

How it goes

1. Sensors are stuck on your belly, or a belt is put on
2. A small recorder is attached to the belt
3. You swallow the capsule with water
4. You can go home or stay at the clinic, depending on the clinic's rules
5. Clear water is usually allowed after 2 hours, and light food after 4 hours
6. In the evening, or after 8 to 12 hours, you return the recorder

What you'll feel

• Swallowing the capsule is like a large pill
• You will not feel it inside

Afterwards

• The capsule leaves on its own with your stool, usually in 1 to 3 days. You do not need to catch it. It is single-use
• Until the capsule has passed, you cannot have an MRI
• Stay away from strong magnets and radio transmitters while recording
• Results usually come in a few days. The doctor looks through thousands of images