Protecting recovery during the colonoscopy clean-out: considerations for patients with current or former eating disorders

The dietary restrictions necessary for proper colonoscopy preparation are generally regarded by patients as a transient annoyance, soon forgotten as normal eating resumes post-procedure. However, for those with a current or even long-resolved eating disorder, this physician-mandated restriction of food intake can trigger urges to continue eating in a restricted way and can imperil the resumption of consistent, adequate eating after the colonoscopy is done. The threat to recovery work is real. In the absence of any peer-reviewed articles on this topic, this brief report aims to suggest some reasonable and responsive guidelines that physicians, nurses, and patients can use to optimize outcomes both for adequacy of bowel cleanse and for eating disorder recovery protection. Future studies can trial these practices and report on outcomes and patient/clinician satisfaction.