I am scheduled to have rhinoplasty, a u-lift, lower blepharoplasty and co2 laser at 11a. I am an early riser (5a) and always drink a lot of water. Doctors orders are no food or drink after midnight. Can I really not drink any water the morning of my surgery? I don't mind not eating, but not drinking water makes me very uncomfortable. Can I have a bit of black coffee? It would be one thing if my surgery was at 7a, but 11a? Also I am supposed to take my antibiotic, amox, w/ food.
June 2, 2015
Answer: Fasting before surgery You need to discuss this with your surgeon. This is not an overly simple topic, even though it may seem that way. Most anesthesiologists would recommend no eating solids 8 hours before surgery and water within a couple of hours, but there are several caveats (diabetics stomaches often do not empty as quickly, etc). They will be looking after your best interest and will postpone your case if their instructions are not followed. The main reason is that you could reflux your stomach contents during anesthesia induction (this could include stomach acids and bile in additiion to whatever you injested) and this could enter your lungs since your normal reflexive/protective mechanisms are supressed by the anesthesia. This can be very dangerous. Listen to your surgeon. Occasionally, the "NPO after midnight" is just a habit and exceptions can be made (maybe NPO after 3AM for someone having an 11AM surgery). But follow your surgeon's instructions. He may have reasons that are not initially obvious. Similarly follow all his post operative instructions.
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June 2, 2015
Answer: Fasting before surgery You need to discuss this with your surgeon. This is not an overly simple topic, even though it may seem that way. Most anesthesiologists would recommend no eating solids 8 hours before surgery and water within a couple of hours, but there are several caveats (diabetics stomaches often do not empty as quickly, etc). They will be looking after your best interest and will postpone your case if their instructions are not followed. The main reason is that you could reflux your stomach contents during anesthesia induction (this could include stomach acids and bile in additiion to whatever you injested) and this could enter your lungs since your normal reflexive/protective mechanisms are supressed by the anesthesia. This can be very dangerous. Listen to your surgeon. Occasionally, the "NPO after midnight" is just a habit and exceptions can be made (maybe NPO after 3AM for someone having an 11AM surgery). But follow your surgeon's instructions. He may have reasons that are not initially obvious. Similarly follow all his post operative instructions.
Helpful
February 23, 2018
Answer: NPO after midnight (no eating or drinking the morning of surgery) Hi I think the best course of action here is to be conservative and not have anything the morning of surgery. Be sure to discuss with your anesthesiologist and surgeon, but there is no sense in increasing the chances of aspiration of stomach contents during anesthesia induction if you are scheduled for elective surgery, by drinking the morning of your operation. Aspiration can result in pneumonia and other complications which can be serious in rare cases.
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February 23, 2018
Answer: NPO after midnight (no eating or drinking the morning of surgery) Hi I think the best course of action here is to be conservative and not have anything the morning of surgery. Be sure to discuss with your anesthesiologist and surgeon, but there is no sense in increasing the chances of aspiration of stomach contents during anesthesia induction if you are scheduled for elective surgery, by drinking the morning of your operation. Aspiration can result in pneumonia and other complications which can be serious in rare cases.
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