Procedure prep
Fasting Before a Cystoscopy
A cystoscopy lets your doctor look inside your bladder using a thin telescope passed through the urethra (the tube you pee from). There are two kinds — flexible and rigid — and which one you are having decides whether you need to fast.
Fasting for this procedure
→ Get your exact fasting times with the calculator
Medicines to check
- Blood thinners (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto) — see medications to stop.
- Diabetes medicines & insulin — they need a plan if you are fasting for a rigid cystoscopy. See diabetes tablets.
- Blood pressure medicines — confirm which to take with a small sip of water.
- Antibiotics — your team may give a dose before or after to lower infection risk. Take exactly as told.
- Tell your team about any urinary infection symptoms (burning, fever) before the test — it may be delayed until that clears.
When this surgery may be delayed
- A current urine infection (burning, cloudy or smelly urine, fever)
- Fever, a new cough/cold, or a chest infection (matters most if you are having sedation or a general anesthetic)
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- A positive or unknown pregnancy test
- Not following the fasting instructions for a rigid cystoscopy
Reports & documents to carry
- Photo ID and insurance or hospital paperwork
- A list of your current medicines and doses, including blood thinners
- Any past bladder or urine test results, scans, or referral letters
- Details of allergies, especially to anesthetic or antibiotics
- A ride home if you are having sedation or a general anesthetic
What to ask your anesthesia team
- Am I having a flexible or a rigid cystoscopy, and what anesthesia goes with it?
- Do I need to fast, and from what time?
- Which of my regular medicines should I take or hold, and should I stop blood thinners?
- Will I get antibiotics before or after the test?
- Can I drive myself home, or do I need someone to take me?
Your prep checklist
Tick things off as you sort them — saved on this device only, nothing is sent anywhere.
A general guide — your hospital's own instructions always come first.
Frequently asked questions
Does a cystoscopy hurt?
A flexible cystoscopy can feel uncomfortable and may sting as the telescope passes, but numbing gel makes it bearable and it is usually quick. A rigid cystoscopy is done while you are asleep or numb from the waist down, so you will not feel it during the test. Tell your team if you are anxious — they can talk you through each step.
Is it normal to see blood in my urine afterwards?
Yes. Mild stinging when you pee and a little pink or blood-tinged urine for a day or two is common and expected. Drinking plenty of water helps flush it through. Contact your team straight away if you cannot pass urine, see heavy bleeding or clots, or develop a fever, as these can be signs of a problem.
Do I really not need to fast for a flexible cystoscopy?
Often yes — because it is usually done under local gel only, many people eat and drink as normal beforehand. But instructions vary by hospital and by your individual case, so always confirm with the team who booked you rather than assuming.
How long does the test take and can I go straight back to normal?
The look inside the bladder itself usually takes only a few minutes. After a flexible cystoscopy under local gel, most people go home and resume normal activity soon after. If you had sedation or a general anesthetic for a rigid cystoscopy, you will need to recover for a while and have someone take you home — follow your team's discharge advice.