Why can't I eat before surgery?
The instructions to NOT eat or drink before anesthesia and surgery are for your safety. Anesthesia and sedation blunt the protective reflexes that prevent food and stomach contents from getting into the lungs. Particulate matter and the digestive acids secreted by the stomach can cause a life-threatening pneumonia if they are aspirated into the lungs. Patients who are taking opioid narcotic pain medications, obese, pregnant, have bowel obstructions, paralysis of the intestines (ileus), swallowing disorders, pain, anxiety, diabetes, hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux (indigestion) or emergency surgery have a higher risk of aspiration.
Top | Back to Common Anesthesthesia Questions
How long do I have to fast before surgery?
If you do not have any of the risk factors listed in the previous section, then you may have clear liquids up to four hours prior to surgery. Clear liquids include water, fruit juice without pulp, clear tea and black coffee.
Do not consume any beverages containing alcohol, non-clear liquids or solid food after midnight the night before your scheduled surgery.
Infants may have breast milk up to four hours prior to surgery or infant formulae up to six hours prior to the scheduled time of surgery. Patients should take medications for heart conditions, high blood pressure or breathing problems at the usual scheduled times with small sips of water.
Top | Back to Common Anesthesthesia Questions
What medications should I take before surgery?
If you are taking insulin for diabetes and your surgery is before 9:30 a.m., then take half of your usual insulin dose in the morning. Otherwise, hold all insulin before surgery.
It is good to take the usual morning doses of medications for blood pressure, heart, lung and stomach conditions. Take all medications with small sips of water.
Top | Back to Common Anesthesthesia Questions
What do I do about my asthma medication?
Take any prescribed medications on the usual schedule. For oral medications, take them with a small sip of water. Bring your inhalers with you to the hospital and operating room.
Top | Back to Common Anesthesthesia Questions
Will they "knock me out" before I get into the operating room?
Many anesthesiologists administer some type of pre-medication in the preoperative holding area if it is indicated. Some of these pre-medications may provide mild amnesia, and some people do not remember going into the operating room. However, for safety reasons, patients are conscious until they are properly monitored in the operating room.
Top | Back to Common Anesthesthesia Questions
