“When do I have to stop eating and drinking?”
I need to have a surgery with anesthesia, and my surgeon explained me that I should avoid eating and drinking before my surgery to avoid nausea. When should I stop eating and drinking before my surgery? The morning of?
4 Answers
Nothing by mouth after midnight.
8 hours, nothing by mouth
You have to stop all food and drink by midnight the previous day. Important medications can be taken with a sip of water, e.g., blood pressure medications. Always confirm which medications need to be taken. Diabetics need to have their insulin and oral medication doses adjusted. This is different for every patient. Not eating and drinking is extremely important! It’s to prevent aspiration, not just nausea.
You must abstain from solid foods for 8 hrs, dairy fluids for 6 hrs, and clear liquids for 2 hrs. If you need a bowel prep, follow those instructions.
