It’s normal to feel anxious before undergoing surgery. One common question is whether you can eat in the hours leading up to the procedure. This article provides a quick overview of the typical fasting guidelines and explains why your doctor may recommend not eating for 6 or more hours beforehand. We’ll also discuss how to prepare if you do need to fast before your operation.
Quick Answer
The quick answer is: it depends. Guidelines generally recommend not eating solid foods for 6-8 hours prior to surgery. However, exact instructions can vary. Your doctor or nurse will provide specific fasting rules based on your health status and the type of procedure. Be sure to follow their recommendations.
Some key points:
- For morning surgery, stop eating and drinking around midnight the night before.
- No solid foods should be consumed in the 6-8 hours pre-op, only small sips of clear liquids may be allowed.
- Guidelines are in place for patient safety – a full stomach increases risks under anesthesia.
- Always follow your provider’s instructions, as protocols vary.
The details below expand more on typical fasting guidelines and how to prepare when you need to avoid food and drink before an operation.
Why Fasting is Required Before Surgery
Fasting before surgery is done for an important medical reason – to protect patients from pulmonary aspiration and its complications. Here’s an overview:
What is Pulmonary Aspiration?
Pulmonary aspiration refers to stomach contents entering the lungs during anesthesia and surgery. It occurs because anesthesia and medicines given during surgery relax the muscles in your throat that normally prevent vomit from entering your airway and lungs.
If you have a full stomach when you go under anesthesia, some of that gastric content can come back up and be breathed into your respiratory system. This is extremely dangerous, as food or fluid in the lungs can cause life-threatening pneumonia, lung injury, and respiratory failure.
How Pre-Op Fasting Helps Avoid Pulmonary Aspiration
By having an empty stomach before surgery, there is less gastric material available that could potentially be aspirated into the lungs if vomiting occurred. This significantly decreases the risks of pulmonary aspiration and improves surgical safety.
Additionally, anesthesia itself slows down the movement of food through the digestive system. So any solid food consumed closer to surgery will remain in the stomach longer, again increasing risks if aspiration occurred.
For these reasons, guidelines advise no solid foods or liquids for 6-8 hours pre-op to allow the stomach to fully empty before going under anesthesia. This fasting window minimizes the dangers of pulmonary aspiration.
Typical Fasting Guidelines Before Surgery
Here are the standard recommendations for fasting before surgery:
No Solid Foods for 6-8 Hours
It’s recommended to stop any solid food intake approximately 6-8 hours before your scheduled surgery time. This includes food, milk, or chewing gum. The longer period of 8 hours may be advised for patients with slower digestion.
For example, if your surgery is at 7 AM, you should stop eating solids at 11 PM the prior night. Aim to finish food intake by midnight at the latest if your operation will be in the morning.
Clear Liquids May be Allowed Up to 2 Hours Before
Small sips of clear liquids are sometimes permitted up to 2 hours pre-op. ‘Clear liquids’ refers to any liquid you can see through, including water, black coffee/tea, apple juice, and carbonated beverages. They empty from the stomach quickly.
Check with your provider if any clear liquids are allowed – and stick to only a few sips, avoiding large volumes.
No Liquids at all for the Final 2 Hours
All liquids (even water) are generally prohibited in the 2 hours immediately before surgery. This ensures an empty stomach.
So if you are scheduled for 9 AM, stop drinking clear fluids by 7 AM.
Medications May be Taken with Sips of Water
Any essential prescription medications can usually be taken on your surgery day with small sips (2-3 oz) of water. Check with your healthcare team for specific instructions.
Chewing Gum, Hard Candy, Tobacco – Also Avoid for 6-8 Hours
Chewing gum, throat lozenges, candy, and tobacco products should be avoided starting 6-8 hours pre-op as well. Despite not swallowing these items, they still stimulate digestive juices which increase volume in the stomach.
Preparing for Surgery When Fasting is Required
Here are some tips to prepare if your doctor instructs you to fast before your procedure:
Know the Exact Fasting Timeframe
Your specific fasting instructions may differ slightly from the general guidelines above. Ask your surgeon or nurse for the exact timeframe they want you to refrain from any solid foods and liquids. Mark the cut-off times on your calendar.
Eat Light, Digestible Foods the Day Before
Avoid heavy, high-fat, or greasy foods starting the day before surgery. Focus on light, easily digestible foods.
Stay Hydrated Up Until the Cut-Off for Clear Liquids
Drink plenty of water and other approved clear liquids up until your cut-off time. Staying hydrated will help prevent headaches, dizziness, and dehydration.
Avoid Alcohol for 48 Hours Pre-Op
Alcohol can interact with anesthetic medicines. It’s best to avoid any alcohol for at least 48 hours before your scheduled surgery.
Set a Reminder Alarm for your Fasting Cut-Off Time
Set a reminder on your phone, watch, or calendar so you don’t accidentally forget your fasting cutoff time. Having an alarm go off at 11 PM the night before or at the 2-hour liquid cut-off can help.
Opt for Clothing That’s Easy to Change Into
Wear comfy, loose fitting clothes and slip-on shoes to the hospital or surgery center. This makes changing into a gown easier after fasting.
Pack Gum, Hard Candy, or Toothbrush to Freshen Breath
While you can’t eat them, bringing mints, gum, or a toothbrush can help freshen breath after fasting. Use after your procedure once allowed to eat.
Tell your Care Team About Any Other Questions
Speak up if you have any other concerns about fasting – your providers can offer guidance and support.
The Exceptions: When Fasting May Not be Required
While most surgeries will require fasting as described above, there are some exceptions:
Procedures Under Local Anesthesia
If you will be awake and only numbed for a procedure, fasting is sometimes not mandatory. This may include minor skin surgeries. Check with your doctor.
Cesarean Sections
Women undergoing scheduled c-sections are often instructed to have a light, non-fatty meal up to 8 hours pre-op and to drink clear fluids up to 2 hours before. This provides comfort and stamina for labor.
Medically Necessary Exceptions
Patients with certain conditions like diabetes or taking specific medications may undergo special fasting protocols. Your provider will individualize instructions.
Emergency Surgeries
For urgent, unplanned operations there may not be time to fast – but risks versus benefits will be weighed.
So while most elective surgeries require 6-8 hours of no solids before anesthesia, exceptions can be made when medically appropriate. Your surgeon ultimately determines fasting status.
Common Questions about Eating Before Surgery
Many patients have additional questions about exactly what they can eat leading up to their procedure. Some common questions include:
Can I drink coffee before surgery?
Plain black coffee is allowed up until 2 hours before your surgery time. The same goes for plain tea. Avoid cream, milk or sugar – these make coffee no longer a clear liquid.
Can I take vitamins or supplements?
Most vitamins and non-essential supplements should be avoided starting 6-8 hours pre-op. Check with your healthcare team about specific medications or essential supplements. Small sips of water can be used to swallow approved pills.
Can I chew gum before surgery?
Gum chewing is restricted starting 6-8 hours before anesthesia because it stimulates digestive system secretions. Unless given explicit approval, avoid gum on the day of your procedure.
What if I accidentally eat closer to surgery – will it be canceled?
Not necessarily. If you eat closer than recommended to your scheduled surgery time, notify your care team immediately. They may instruct you to come in early for evaluation. But eating a small amount does not always warrant cancellation.
What if my surgery is delayed – can I eat if I’ve already fasted 8+ hours?
You should continue to fast until your procedure takes place. But if the delay is extensive (over 12 hours), your provider may approve limited clear liquids or medications – ask your care team for guidance.
Can I drink alcohol the night before surgery?
Alcohol should be avoided for 48 hours prior to surgery since it interacts with anesthetic medications. Consuming alcohol before surgery can be dangerous.
The Bottom Line
It’s common to be told to avoid food and liquids for 6 or more hours before having a planned surgery. This fasting is recommended for patient safety reasons – to prevent pulmonary aspiration and related complications.
While fasting can be uncomfortable, it’s a simple step you can take to reduce risks when undergoing anesthesia and an operation. Be sure to follow your doctor’s specific guidelines on when to stop eating solid foods and drinking liquids. Let your care team know if you have any concerns about pre-op fasting.
With smart preparation and planning, you can make sure your stomach is empty and you stay hydrated in the hours leading up to your procedure. Focus on the reason for fasting – it’s in your best interest for a smooth surgery and recovery.
