Should I have breakfast before local anesthesia for my vaginoplasty?

It's up to your surgeon to determine when you should or shouldn't eat before surgery. Most of the patients that have local in my practice are permitted to have a light breakfast. However, if they are going to have IV sedation with my anesthesiologists, they must not eat for 8 hours before surgery.

You can have breakfast before local anesthesia, but if there is a complication and it is necessary to switch to general anesthesia, general anesthesia cannot be given while your stomach is full. That's why it's better to go hungry anyway.

Thank you for your question No you should not eat. Surgery can cause reflex nausea and you don’t want to be throwing up during surgery.

It is your surgeon's responsibility, as the only person who both knows you, the exact anesthesia (s)he will use, and procedure (s)he will perform, to educate you regarding food prior to surgery, surgery preparation, specific recovery orders, etc. Personally, I perform all of my female genital plastic/cosmetic procedures in our office surgical suite, under "local" anesthesia, and I encourage a normal meal prior to surgery. However, you are not my patient, and I am unaware of the exact anesthesia planned. It is only your personal surgeon who can answer your question. You should be able to reach your surgeon or his/her office and get an answer to your question. If this is difficult, "...read the handwriting on the wall..." and cancel your surgery & find another surgeon who better prepares you! RealSelf's video below speaks to finding the right surgeon.

Best!

Michael P Goodman, MD, FACOG, IF, AAACS
Davis, CA, USA