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Demystifying the Colonoscopy: What We Wish More Women Knew
Let’s talk about the thing no one wants to talk about.
Colonoscopy. Just the word can send people running, or at least Googling for ways to avoid it. But if you're in your 40s, have gut symptoms, or a family history of colon cancer, it's time to stop avoiding and start understanding. On She’s Got Guts, we recently opened up about our own experiences (one as a first-timer, one as a colonoscopy veteran with nearly 30 under her belt) and why this procedure deserves a lot less fear and a lot more respect.
Why It Matters
Colonoscopies aren’t just about detecting cancer. They prevent it. By finding and removing polyps before they become dangerous, this procedure can lower your risk of colon cancer by nearly 70%. That's huge. Yet, while 40 million mammograms happen every year, only 15 million colonoscopies do.
We get it. It’s invasive, it’s vulnerable, and the prep? Not exactly glamorous. But it’s also life-saving, especially as colon cancer rates are rising in younger adults. If you’re over 40 or have symptoms, this isn’t a “someday” thing. It’s a “put-it-on-the-calendar-now” thing.
Two Stories, One Message
Lara had her first colonoscopy at 48. She had all the same hesitations many women do: fear of the unknown, dread of the prep, and questions no one seemed to answer clearly. Molly, on the other hand, has been getting colonoscopies since she was a teenager due to Crohn’s disease. She’s had nearly 30. That means she’s seen the best and worst of prep options, recovery hacks, and what no one tells you at discharge.
Their biggest takeaway? You have more power and options than you think.
Let’s Talk Prep
This is the part that makes most people want to cancel the whole thing. But you’ve got choices:
Go Lightly (aka the gallon jug): The OG prep, but drinking an entire gallon of anything—even if it promises to “go lightly”—is rough.
MiraLax + Gatorade: A more tolerable option for many, but beware the sugar rollercoaster, especially if blood sugar crashes make you feel like you're dying.
Magnesium Citrate: More natural
SuPrep: Liquid prep but less volume
Subtabs (Pill form): Lara tried this and loved it. No gallon, no weird taste. Just pop the pills and chase with fluids. Check with your doctor to see if it’s right for you.
Hot tip: Don’t just follow generic instructions. prep based on your real-life habits. If you’re constipated often, your prep might need to start sooner. If you’re prone to hypoglycemia, skip the neon sports drinks and use broth, collagen water, or coconut water to stay hydrated and balanced. Talk to your doctor about all of your options, this is a medical procedure that may require a prescription.
The Procedure: Easy as a Nap
Honestly? The actual colonoscopy is the easiest part. You’re sedated, you wake up, and it’s done. Molly recommends pairing it with an endoscopy if you’ve got upper GI symptoms—maximize that sedation window, baby.
Recovery: Don’t Blow It with Cookies
This is where most people screw it up. You just did a full gut cleanse. Don’t refill it with processed sugar and garbage.
Lara’s go-to recovery plan includes cashew kefir, avocados, cooked veggies, and probiotic-rich foods. The goal is to gently nourish your system and start rebuilding your microbiome—not crash it with muffins from the hospital vending machine.
Advocate Like a Pro
Think you’re too young for a colonoscopy? Think again. If you’ve got symptoms (bloating, blood in stool, unexplained pain) or a family history, advocate hard. Molly has seen too many women under 40 dismissed, until they finally got scoped and everything changed.
Rethinking the Whole Experience
Colonoscopy prep doesn’t have to be hell. The procedure doesn’t have to be scary. And the recovery? It’s actually an opportunity to hit reset on your gut health. When approached holistically and on your terms, it can be empowering.
This isn’t about fear. It’s about informed action. Understanding your options, asking better questions, and walking into that appointment knowing what your body needs.
Closing Thoughts: Listen to Your Gut (Literally)
We know this procedure brings up all kinds of feelings: embarrassment, fear, avoidance. But it also opens the door to clarity, prevention, and in many cases, real healing. Whether you're staring down your first scope or sharing war stories with Molly, you deserve to feel confident and in control.
Let’s normalize this. Let’s talk about it. And let’s stop pretending gut health begins and ends with kombucha.
Ready to Learn More?
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As always… listen to what your gut is telling you, not what you are telling your gut.
You aren’t alone, and it’s not all in your head.
I am a registered dietitian helping women get to the root cause of diarrhea, constipation, and bloating so they can have predictable bowel movements.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Registered Dietitian and how is that different from a nutritionist?
A Registered Dietitian is a healthcare professional who has completed related coursework (usually bachelor's and master's degree) and been credentialed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics via a board certification exam and 1200 hour supervised practice internship.
This is different from a nutritionist, as RDN's must comply with federal regulations, be licensed at the state level, and adhere to a code of ethics. Anyone, including you, can call themselves a "nutritionist".
RDN's use evidence-based recommendations backed by scientific research and have completed years of schooling to understand the human body, digestion, and metabolism of nutrients so they may make the most practical and appropriate recommendations without bias or misinformation.
Do you take insurance?
We can provide you with a superbill that offers codes for reimbursement of an out of network provider. We also accept health savings/flex savings cards for payment.
Insurance companies are not based in prevention or longer, thorough work. Think back to your last doctors appointment, did the doctor spend a full hour with you? Could you email the doctor over the weekend and expect a response?
The reason our programs work is because we offer a detailed, thorough, personalized service-not 15 minute increments that result in a band-aid solution.
The reason you are reading this is because you have tried the other ways, and they have not worked for you. This is the BEST kind of investment, one that saves time and money in the long run (no more $80 supplement purchases that do nothing).
Plus, you aren't alone on this journey. Our concierge style service offers messaging and phone check-ins as needed. When was the last time your insurance paid for a phone call on a Saturday afternoon so you could review a restaurant menu for safe options before a night out?
Is this an extreme elimination diet?
NO! You have tried those! In order for you to be successful, the foods we decide to eliminate should:
Make you feel better right away.
Be reintroduced via step by step process within 3 months.
Allow for you to still have PLENTY of options of things to eat within your budget, prep time frame, level of competency in the kitchen, and preferences.
Most of our clients are eliminating too many foods already, so the first step is usually to bring some variety back and give you all the resources you need to meal plan, grocery shop, and prep like a pro using foods that love you back and ultimately support a healthy gut.
Where is your office located?
This is a remote practice, and all sessions are via Zoom or similar, depending on your preference. No commuting to an office, waiting in a waiting room, having to leave work or getting a babysitter. Meetings and your patient portal are encrypted and HIPPA secure.
What do you offer that I cannot do myself?
I understand it seems like we can just search the internet or support groups to find a solution without making an investment. But, haven’t you tried this strategy already? How did that work out?
We offer answers to those contradicting recommendations (fiber or no fiber?), provide accountability (this time you WILL succeed!), and all recommendations are based on your body.
What works for one person does not work for another, and there is no one pill to heal your gut. If this was true, your physician would have given you the secret sauce years ago!
How does this work?
The first step is to schedule a free, 15 minute consult with Molly.
During your call, she will also explain the different options of our programs based on your story and needs.
From there she can place you with the right fit (group, 1:1, pediatric, etc) for an initial session that lasts around 70 minutes.
What happens at my first session?
We review your entire health history & organize what to tackle in order of priority (for example if you have chronic kidney disease and chronic diarrhea but kidneys are fine right now, we wouldn't focus specifically on kidney health right away). We review what you are currently eating and what your schedule looks like, your medications and supplements, and all of your questions. After this session, you will have:
-A personalized action plan with tweaks to diet, lifestyle, and the supplements (if appropriate) you take to feel better right away.
-Answers to all your burning questions about YOUR condition and history.
-An idea of why you may be experiencing the symptoms and/or frustrations you are dealing with.
-A meal plan and general outline of foods that work/do not work for your body.
We always recommend before you make a decision on how to proceed that you attend the initial session, which is packed with value. Price varies based on practitioner/program, and we discuss pricing during your 15 minute consult.
Do you address mold, MCAS, eczema, and hormones?
YES! We have found that these are all related to gut issues. The gut is connected to every other body system, so to heal involves looking deeper into other areas of the body, past or present toxin exposures, and all the other things! Hormones like estrogen and insulin are always a factor as well, and we work to bring the body back to harmony.
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