On the day of your VCE of the large bowel
Video capsule endoscopy of the large bowel
Quick schedule
- 4am Do not have any liquids after 4am on the day of your VCE
- 6am Take the second sachet of MOVIPREP at 6am
Please follow these instructions before your appointment.
- Do not drink after 4am.
- Essential medicines can be taken with water only before 6am.
- Non-essential medicines can wait until you have a snack at lunchtime.
- If you have diabetes, please check if you can take your morning medications with the nurse.
- You must not eat (including gum, sweets and mints) but can have small sips of water up to 3 hours before your appointment.
- Do not smoke until after your endoscopy. If you think this might be difficult for you, please speak to your GP or nurse for advice.
6am Take the second sachet of MOVIPREP
- Empty the second sachet of A and B MOVIPREP into 1 litre of water.
- Stir the solution until the MOVIPREP has dissolved.
- Drink the solution over 1 to 2 hours.
At your appointment
Please be on time. If you are running late please call the reception desk in case the appointment has to be rescheduled.
Please wear a loose top that buttons up or zips up at the front.
We will place a sensor belt or sensor array and recorder pouch on you.
We will give you the video capsule to swallow with water.
The video capsule real time viewer will be used to check the pictures and to make sure the capsule is recording well before sending you home.
After swallowing the VCE
Please follow these instructions carefully.
The recorder will alert you. There are 5 alerts. Pease follow these instructions depending on which alert you get.
| Alert | Action |
|---|---|
| 0 |
|
| 1 |
|
| 2 |
3 hours later you might get another alert. If you do get this alert:
|
| 3 |
2 hours later, you might get another alert. If you do get this alert:
|
| 4 |
2 hours later, you might get another alert. If you do get this alert:
|
| End of procedure alert |
When you get this alert, the VCE is complete. This alert can happen any time after Alert 1.
|
After your VCE
Your consultant will send a capsule review report and summary letter to you and your GP. This can take up to 4 weeks.
If you do not pass the capsule
If you have not passed the capsule within 7 days, speak to your local pharmacist. You can take a one-off dose of a laxative, such as senna tablets.
If you have not passed the capsule, please tell the gastroenterology doctor who will arrange for you to have an abdominal X-ray to check the location of the capsule.
You must not have an MRI examination until you have passed the capsule.
Contact your hospital team if:
- you have tummy pain that is getting worse
- your tummy is swelling
- you are being sick
Contacting us about your results
For information about the capsule consultant report review, summary letter and gastro review outcome.
Phone 020 7188 8887 ext 40407 or 40704 or email [email protected]
For surgical review outcome, phone 020 7188 8887 ext 86475
Resource number: 5264 /VER3
Date published: March 2023
Review date: March 2026
