Is acid reflux common while being under anesthesia? How many hours before surgery should you not eat or drink?

Thank you for your question. I also answered your other question and once again I am sorry to hear you had such problems. I want to clarify that you did indeed have a general anesthetic. If not, then this is what I would question. Because usually with general anesthesia, this should not be a problem and it sounds like your NPO instructions were appropriate. With any future surgeries, please make sure you discuss having a general anesthetic due to previous problems. Hope this helps!

We have used general anesthesia almost exclusively in my cosmetic surgery practice for the last 15 years and I cannot remember ever having that problem. I asked one of my anesthesiologists for comment and he said it is possible but not common and may relate to your specific anatomy in the area of the larynx that prevents a good fit of the cuff around the breathing tube. In our practice the anesthesiologists all ask the patient to go without eating or drinking for 6 hours before a procedure. Is it possible you were not under general anesthesia ( ie had a breathing tube in place)?