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FAQ’s

Committed to enhancing your health with expertise and compassionate care

What is Gastroenterology?

Gastroenterology is a subspeciality of Internal Medicine involving disorders of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, pancreas, and gall bladder.

What are some of the common symptoms a Gastroenterologist might treat?

Patients with a variety of digestive complaints or problems – abdominal pain, bleeding, heartburn, ulcer disease, hepatitis, colon polyps and cancer, diarrhea or constipation, gallstones, pancreatitis – will often see a gastroenterologist for evaluation and treatment.

Where can I find instructions for my procedure prep?

Prep instructions are generally emailed or mailed to you and in the subject line of the email states “Procedure Prep Instructions.”  Sometimes these emails will be sent to your junk mailbox.  These instructions are generated and specific to your procedure time.  If you have not received your prep instructions, and you are unable to get ahold of our office, you can select your prep below:

  1. Colonoscopy
  2. EGD/Bravo
  3. EGD

A few key notes to help plan and prepare for your colonoscopy:

One week prior to your procedure: 

  • DO NOT Consume any CORN.  This includes whole kernel, creamed, canned, fresh or frozen.  Stop NUTS and anything with SEEDS one week prior to your procedure.
  • Please be sure to review your medications with your doctor and ask for specific instructions if you take blood-thinners such as Plavix or Eliquis.
  • Pay close attention to what you are eating.  Remember that anything you put in your body must come out, so try to avoid foods that take your body longer to process, i.e. dairy products, fried foods, red meats, raw vegetables.  Instead try foods like fruit, baked chicken/fish, soups, and sandwiches.  Eating foods that are easier for your body to process will help make the prep easier for you!
  • Be sure to get a wide variety of liquids for your prep day.  This will help to prevent getting burnt out on the same flavor all day, thus tempting you to eat something.  Freeze some lemonade to make your own frozen treats and make up a few batches of Jell-o, so that you’ll have something to “eat” during the day.  Just remember – nothing RED or Purple.

The Day Before Your Procedure:

  • Begin a clear liquid from the moment you wake up; you may NOT have any solid food all day.  You must remain on a clear liquid diet all day.  This includes black coffee, tea, soda (Coke,Pepsi,Sprite etc), apple juice, Gatorade, fruit popsicles, Jell-O, Broth and bouillon.  NOTHING red or purple.
  • At 6:00 pm begin taking the first dose of your bowel prep per your instructions.
What should I do if I cannot keep the bowel prep down?

Occasionally the taste and volume of the prep may cause some nausea.  If this occurs and you vomit some of the prep, wait approximately one hour and then restart slowly.  Mixing your prepackaged prep with ice cold water and shaking until dissolved, along with drinking other clear liquids such as ginger ale while doing the bowel prep may help negate the taste of the prep as well.

If you have been prescribed Sutab tablets for your bowel prep, we recommend taking 1 pill every five minutes to finish the 12 dosing tablets within a 60 minute window.  Between each pill be sure to drink plenty of water.

On the rare occasion that you have been unable to keep any of the prep down, you can purchase a 238gm bottle of Miralax at any local pharmacy without a prescription and mix with a 64 oz bottle of Gatorade or water.  Drink this over a 3-4 hour period of time.

The more prep you get in the cleaner your result will be!

When will I be able to return to work?

The day of your procedure you will not be able to drive or return to work due to sedation and will need to bring a driver with you to your procedure.  The day after your procedure you may return to work.

Will I be put to sleep for my procedure?

Yes.  You are sedated for your procedures.  You will be given medication through an IV and have a very pleasant nap.  The procedure itself should be completely painless.  After your procedure you will wake up in the recovery room and will be released to go home once you are fully awake.

Where is my procedure being done at?

Research Medical Center – Patient Registration Suite 102

2330 E Meyer Blvd Kansas City, MO 64132

Menorah Medical Center – Building C (with the big flag pole)

5701 W 119th St. Building B Overland Park, KS 66209

Overland Park Regional Medical Center

10500 Quivera Road Overland Park, KS 66215

Mid America Surgery Institute

5525 W 119th St. Suite 100 Overland Park, KS 66209

Overland Park Surgical Center

10601 Quivera Road Suite 100 Overland Park, Kansas 66215

Meet Our Providers

Bradley L. Freilich, MD

Dr. Freilich is a board-certified, fellowship-trained gastroenterologist with a special emphasis on hepatology, liver disease, and weight management.

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Paresh R. Patel, MD

Paresh R. Patel, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterology specialist at Kansas City Gastroenterology & Hepatology.

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Janay Kissinger, ANP

Janay Kissinger, ANP, BC is a board-certified nurse practitioner with Kansas City Gastroenterology and Hepatology where she has provided patient care for the past 25 years. 

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