Gastrointest Endosc 81 (1): 81 - 89, 2015. doi: 10.1016 / j. gie.2014.08.008 Preparation for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Routine preparations for endoscopy include no solids for 8 hours and no liquids for 2 to 4 hours before the procedure (see the American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force's 2017 guidelines [1] and 2023 guidelines [2]).