Field Trip: My Butt, a Colonoscopy Ride Along & How-To Encore

What It Covers

Ologies host Allie Ward documents her real-time colonoscopy experience — from pharmacy prep kit to pathology results — covering the full preparation process, procedure details, and a pre-cancerous polyp discovery, with the goal of reducing stigma and encouraging screening for the 1-in-16 Americans who will develop colon cancer.

Key Questions Answered

• •Colonoscopy prep timing: Split the 4-liter prep solution into two sessions — half starting around 4:30 PM the day before, and the remaining half between 3–4 AM on procedure day. Follow a low-fiber diet for five full days beforehand, avoiding fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to reduce intestinal bulk and shorten active purging time significantly.
• •Prep palatability hack: Standard gallon prep solution tastes like salty plastic, but mixing Crystal Light Lemonade into the solution makes it significantly more tolerable than the included pharmacy flavor packet. Alternate the prep drink with electrolyte-rich clear liquids like Pedialyte or low-sugar Gatorade (square bottle format) to offset electrolyte loss and reduce fatigue during the process.
• •Electrolyte replenishment is critical: The hyperosmotic prep solution pulls water into the intestines, triggering peristalsis and flushing electrolytes from the body. Replenish before, during, and after prep using Pedialyte, bone broth, or coconut water. Skipping electrolyte replacement causes fatigue and can become medically problematic — treat hydration management as a required step, not optional.
• •Colorectal cancer screening age: Standard guidelines recommend first colonoscopy at age 45, but individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer may need screening as early as their teenage years. Those with IBS, colitis, or celiac disease also qualify for earlier screening. Colorectal cancer ranks as the second or third leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States.
• •Polyp removal is simultaneous with detection: Colonoscopies function as both diagnostic and treatment tools — small polyps discovered during the procedure are snipped out immediately during the same session. Ward's 2mm polyp, found deep in the large intestine, was removed on the spot and returned a pre-cancerous pathology result, demonstrating that early screening directly prevents cancer development.