Fasting before surgery - when should I have my last meal before surgery?

Question

Hi my admission to hospital is at 11:45am What time should I have my last meal? Can I have coffee with milk? What would be the ideal food to have?

Ellen Ozolins, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It's critical to adhere to fasting recommendations before surgery. It is often advised to avoid solid meals and non-clear liquids, such as coffee with milk, at least eight hours before surgery if you are going to be asleep under general anesthesia, under twilight, or under monitored anesthesia care. This implies that you should have your final meal by 3:45 am if your entrance time is 11:45 am. Most surgeons recommend patients fast starting at midnight the night before even if your case is starting later in the day just in case your case gets moved up. You can have mild solids the night before surgery, such as toast, oatmeal, juice, or coffee with milk or cream, but steer clear of heavy, high-fat meals like meat and fried dishes. If your surgery will be done awake under local anesthesia then you can have a light meal and liquids the morning of surgery. Remember that these are general recommendations; your surgeon may have more detailed instructions for your situation. You must follow the recommendations provided by your medical staff.

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

For a surgery admission at 11:45am, the safest answer is to follow the written fasting instructions from your hospital, surgeon, or anesthesia team, because they may vary depending on the type of anesthesia, your medical history, and local policy. If you are unsure, call them before surgery rather than guessing.

Many anesthesia protocols use a general rule of no solid food for about 6 to 8 hours before anesthesia, and clear liquids may be allowed up to about 2 hours before anesthesia, but only if your team specifically permits it. Coffee with milk is usually not considered a clear liquid, because milk contains fat and protein and can slow stomach emptying. Black coffee may be allowed in some protocols, but again, only if your anesthesia instructions say so.

For the last meal, keep it simple and not overly heavy or fatty. A light, balanced meal such as toast, rice, pasta, soup, lean protein, or similar easily tolerated food is usually better than a large greasy meal. Do not eat or drink past the time you were instructed, because having food or fluid in the stomach during anesthesia can increase the risk of aspiration and may lead to cancellation or delay of surgery.

Benjamin Baker, BMBS MBA FRCS(Plast) · Answer

The usual advice is to avoid food for 6 hours prior to your procedure, and have clear fluids only (e.g. water, coffee without milk) up until 2 hours before your operation, when you should avoid any food or liquids all together. Pre-op nutritional drinks are available, and these have been shown to reduce post-operative sickness and vomiting, and help you to recovery more quickly after surgery.

Gregory Lakin, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It's critical to adhere to fasting recommendations before surgery. It is often advised to avoid solid meals and non-clear liquids, such as coffee with milk, at least eight hours before surgery if you are going to be asleep under general anesthesia, under twilight, or under monitored anesthesia care. This implies that you should have your final meal by 3:45 am if your entrance time is 11:45 am. Most surgeons recommend patients fast starting at midnight the night before even if your case is starting later in the day just in case your case gets moved up. You can have mild solids the night before surgery, such as toast, oatmeal, juice, or coffee with milk or cream, but steer clear of heavy, high-fat meals like meat and fried dishes. If your surgery will be done awake under local anesthesia then you can have a light meal and liquids the morning of surgery. Remember that these are general recommendations; your surgeon may have more detailed instructions for your situation. You must follow the recommendations provided by your medical staff.

Tyler Frew, MD · Answer

Hi there,
Call the office of the doctor who is operating on you, protocols can vary from place to place. You can ask if they have an enhanced recovery protocol after surgery as well. 
In general- You should not eat anything past midnight and only drink clear liquids. On the day of surgery do not drink any coffee or milk- this will actually probably cause anesthesia to cancel your surgery that day. 
All the best

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Ecomarge21,
every plastic surgeon has his own preoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question.  We advise our patients to have nothing to eat after midnight before surgery.  They are allowed to have water, black coffee only or gatorade 3 hours prior to surgery. So for your question, can you have coffee with milk? The answer to that is No. Just eat a healthy balanced meal before midnight the day prior to surgery.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

The reason for “NPO after midnight” is to allow your stomach to empty prior to anesthesia putting you to sleep, as if there is food in your stomach, it can get aspirated into your lungs.  The anesthesiologists like there to be about 6-8 hours since your last meal to be safe.  You may eat anything up until midnight, and there is no ideal food.

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

Dear Ecomarge21, Please listen to your surgeon and his/her team, make sure to ask them everything and follow the advices. Make sure you go on consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Hope this helps and best of lucks. Dr. Luis Mejia

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

Nothing to eat or drink after midnight is the policy I follow. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Fasting before surgery - when should I have my last meal before surgery?

Answers (17)

More Breast Augmentation Questions

Do I have a large gap between my breasts? Will it look bigger with implants? (photo)

37yo mom with deflated breast- high profile vs moderate? (Photo)

Not happy with breast aug. Loose skin makes my breast look deformed.

Breast Augmentation Revision. Will SRM 445cc be too large?

I'm 5'1, 32C. Is 450cc going to give me a fake/pornstar look? I'll be getting a moderate profile (Photo)

What can help with upper pole fullness? (Photo)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS