Fasting before anesthesia: what is allowed and when

Be sure to tell your doctor

• If you have diabetes, how to handle food and medicines
• If you take medicines in the morning
• If you often have heartburn or reflux
• If you are pregnant

How to prepare

• Food. Usually the last meal is about 6 hours before anesthesia. Fatty and meaty food earlier still. Check with the clinic.
• Water. Clear still water is often allowed until about 2 hours before. Milk, juice with pulp, and coffee with milk count as food.
• Medicines. Do not stop them on your own. Your doctor will say which pills to take in the morning with a sip of water.
• Other. In the morning, do not chew gum or smoke. Do not drink alcohol the day before.

What to bring

• The time of your last food and water, as the clinic told you
• A list of your medicines

How it goes

1. The clinic gives the exact time of your last food and water
2. In the evening, have a light dinner
3. After the set time, you eat no more food
4. You drink clear water until the time that was allowed
5. In the morning, take only the medicines your doctor allowed
6. At the clinic, you will be asked when you last ate and drank, so answer honestly

What you'll feel

• You may feel hungry and thirsty, which is normal
• Sometimes slight dizziness or a headache from hunger

Afterwards

• If you ate or drank by accident, tell the doctor right away
• The surgery may be postponed, which is for your safety
• After surgery, you start eating and drinking when your doctor allows