What should I inform my gastroenterologist about before scheduling my colonoscopy appointment?
Please inform your gastroenterologist about the following issues before your colonoscopy appointment:
- Are you taking any of the following medications: Sintrom, Plavix, Ticlopidine, Aspirin, or anti-inflammatory medications?
- Do you have any drug allergies?
- Do you have any heart, kidney, or lung problems?
- Do you have a metal prosthetic heart valve or metal joint?
- Are you immunocompromised?
- Have you ever been given antibiotics before a dental or surgical procedure?
- Are you pregnant?
What should I do five (5) days before?
Five days before the colonoscopy, do not take:
- Fiber-containing supplements
- Iron-containing supplements
- Aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
What should I do three (3) days before?
Three days before the colonoscopy, follow a low-residue diet (avoid legumes, greens, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and dairy). Foods allowed three days before the colonoscopy include coffee or tea without milk, clear juices without fiber, white bread made from refined flour without sesame or seeds, honey, eggs, low-fat meat, fish, potato, rice, pasta, and jelly without fruit.
What should I do one (1) day before?
One day before the colonoscopy, only a liquid diet is allowed (coffee, tea, water, apple or grape juice, broth, chamomile, soft drinks like soda). You will also receive preparation with laxatives.
Preparation with Eziclen: Instructions
Eziclen is a sulfate-based saline concentrate. The package contains 2 bottles of concentrated solution, each 176 mL.
Not all patients can receive this colonoscopy preparation. The gastroenterologist is solely responsible for recommending you this preparation after obtaining your complete medical history. Specifically, you cannot take Eziclen if you have any of the following conditions:
- Known hypersensitivity or allergy to magnesium, sodium, and potassium sulfates
- Bowel obstruction
- Bowel perforation
- Gastroparesis
- Paralytic ileus
- Toxic colitis or toxic megacolon
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Severe (congestive) heart failure
- Ascites
- Severe renal failure
- Active inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
- Not recommended to patients under 18 years of age
At 14:00 in the afternoon, dissolve the content of the first vial of Eziclen in half a liter (500 mL) of water and drink it. Note: It is required to drink at least 1 liter of plain water after the 500 mL of solution.
At 20:00 in the evening, dissolve the content of the second vial of Eziclen in half a liter (500 mL) of water and drink it. Note: It is required to drink at least 1 liter of plain water after the 500 mL of solution.
In total, preparation with Eziclen requires 1 liter of solution PLUS 2 liters of plain water. It goes without saying that if you can, feel free to drink as many clear liquids as you want. All solid foods are expressly prohibited. At the end of the preparation, the stool should be clean and clear (not yellow). If you find that at the end of the preparation your bowel movements are still not clear, contact your gastroenterologist for instructions.
What should I do on the day of the colonoscopy?
On the day of the colonoscopy, do not take anything by mouth (fast for 8 hours, and do not drink any water for the previous 4 hours). Medications can be taken with a small sip of water.
What should I bring with me?
Please remember to bring your AMKA (if you are a Greek resident) and an ID. You may be accompanied by a friend or relative, as you will not be allowed to drive for 8 hours after you are released from the hospital.
I have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), can I claim reimbursement for the medical fees and costs?
If you need medical treatment while you’re in another EU country, presenting your European Health Insurance card (EHIC) can simplify payment and reimbursement procedures.
With your EHIC you can get healthcare – and claim reimbursement for the costs you incur – on the same terms as nationals of the country you are in. If the treatment you need is free for local residents, you won’t have to pay. If you have to pay for your treatment, you can either ask for reimbursement from the national institution whilst still in the country and get reimbursement directly there, or ask for reimbursement from your health insurer when you get home.
Your expenses will be reimbursed according to the rules and rates of the country where the treatment was received. This means that you will either be reimbursed for the full cost of the treatment, or you will have to pay the patient’s fee according to the rules of the country where you were treated. Alternatively, your insurer may decide to reimburse the full cost according to its own rules. Be aware that residents of countries with high patient’s fees quite often have additional – private – insurance to cover their risks.
Each EU country has at least one national contact point that can assist you with questions on reimbursement. In a few easy steps we can help you find the National Contact Point on cross-border healthcare for the country you need.
Contact Gastroenterologist Dr. Christos Zavos:
Dr. Christos Zavos is a certified gastroenterologist and hepatologist based in Thessaloniki, Greece, specifically in Kalamaria, about 7 kilometers southeast of the city center of Thessaloniki. His private practice is located at Fanariou Street 8 (near Aigaiou and Adrianoupoleos streets) in Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Thessaloniki International Airport is only 10 kilometers away from his private practice in Kalamaria and can be reached by taxi in just 13 minutes from the airport.
Gastroenterologist Dr. Christos Zavos performs endoscopies at the Bioclinic private clinic in the center of Thessaloniki, at Mitropoleos Street 86.
You can contact Dr. Christos Zavos to schedule an appointment or for more information by email at czavos@ymail.com or by phone at +30-6976596988. He also supports the Viber and WhatsApp apps for more convenient communication.
