Why do you have to starve for more than 24 hrs before your surgery?

Question

All I have heard is that you are not allowed to eat OR DRINK (EVEN WATER) after 12am the day before your surgery… which will be more than 24hrs by the time you are actually in surgery! Am I hearing/reading this right? If so, what is the logic behind that! So we go in starved and dehydrated? I am rather thin w/ a fast metabolism so I can see this not being good for me (like on the verge of fainting bad) and wouldn't u want to go into surgery healthy? Please explain??

Dustin L. Reid, MD · Answer

You have to have nothing by mouth for 8 hours before surgery.  This is for safety reasons.  This prevents stomach contents from entering the lungs when having anesthesia.  8 hours of nothing by mouth will be totally worth your safety and beautiful results.  Good luck.

Nick Slenkovich, MD · Answer

Great question! A preoperative fast is necessary when going under general anesthesia in order to keep your airways as clear as possible during surgery. Whenever you eat, your body produces stomach acid which may work its way up into your airways while you're asleep.  Following the "Nothing By Mouth" guidelines may leave you a little bit hungry and thirsty, but your safety is our first priority!Check out this short video where we sit down with our Anesthesiologist and discuss other general guidelines.Enjoy your journey!

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

It's a great question. Every office is different, but most offices will require that you not eat or drink anything eight hours before your surgical procedure. If your surgery is first thing in the morning, it's typically not too bad to avoid eating and drinking until the time of surgery. When our patients have surgery in the afternoon, they were usually wake up have breakfast and something to drink, and then avoid eating for the rest of the day.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Usually clear liquids like water are permitted up to 6 hours prior to
surgery and full liquids 8 hrs and solid foods 12 hours prior to surgery to
prevent aspiration (vomitus goes down windpipe to lungs). This period is
determined  by the anesthesiologist and
an important safety step which could save your life in some cases.

Robert M. Wald, Jr., MD · Answer

You only have to fast for 8 hours prior to surgery. If your surgery is in the morning, you will experience little hunger.

Shim Ching, MD · Answer

We ask patients to have a completely empty stomach before surgery when they are going under anesthesia. Usually this is midnight the night before, such this usually doesn't mean 24 hours. The reason behind this is that anything in your stomach can be dangerous during the period you are asleep under anesthesia. Best wishes for your surgery!

Ryan Neinstein, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Thanks for the question, for general anesthetics adults are typically asked to go 8 hours without eating or drinking so their stomachs are empty so when they get intubated there is no food to go into the lungs

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

The stipulated time is 8 hours before your surgery, after this you can not eat or drink nothing. This is like this because you need an empty stomach before surgery and in this way reduce the risk of food going to the lungs. Good luck

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Just some miscommunication; nothing to eat or drink after 12 PM ( 8 hours before surgery).  An empty stomach   at the time of surgery will help prevent food “going the wrong way” to the lungs.  Best wishes.

Heather J. Furnas, MD · Answer

Because your gag reflex is relaxed when you are under deep sedation or general anesthesia, there is a risk of the stomach contents coming up and emptying down the trachea and into the lungs. This can cause a very serious (and sometimes lethal) condition known as aspiration pneumonia. By not eating or drinking after midnight, you will have an empty stomach by the time you go to surgery, greatly diminishing the risk of aspiration pneumonia. Since your surgery is the next day, you shouldn't need to starve from more than 24 hours.Traditionally patients have been asked to take nothing by mouth for eight hours before surgery, but, according to the link from the Department of Anesthesia at the University of Michigan, (quoted from the link below): "The current recommendations by the American Society of Anesthesiologists for NPO status (ie., the number of hours a patient must fast—no food or water—before being taken to the operating room):AdultsThe recommendations below apply to healthy patients who are undergoing elective procedures. They are not intended for women in labor. If you have special needs (diabetes, among others) consult with the preoperative clinic to see what options may be available.8 hours for a normal meal6 hours for a light meal (toast and clear liquids)2 hours for clear liquidsChildren and infants6 hours for solids and infant formula4 hours for breast milk2 hours for clear liquidsExamples of clear liquids include water, fruit juices without pulp, carbonated beverages, clear tea, and black coffee."The rules may leave you hungry and thirsty, but they are for your own safety.

Why do you have to starve for more than 24 hrs before your surgery?

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