Fasting for surgery
We ask people to fast before surgery to limit the risk of food being present in the stomach, which could reflux into the airway during the anaesthetic, causing potentially serious complications.
Fasting instructions are generally provided by the hospital.
Unfortunately , they can be very conservative and result in people being very hungry and dehydrated before surgery.
Your anaesthetist is ultimately responsible for “making the call” on acceptable timings, and below are our rules
Do not eat any solid food within the 6 hours prior to your surgery time
Between 6 hours before and 2 hours before, do not drink anything other than clear fluids (or DEX drinks)
Between 2 hours before surgery and the time you are taken to theatre you may sip water and/or Dex drinks. A ballpark quantity of total fluid is one cup (200 ml) per hour. This is also called “Sip ‘Til Send”.
Prescribed medications can be taken at any time (see Medication Advice)
If you don’t know your surgery time, you can use the “admission” time given by the hospital. This is often only texted to you after 3pm on the day prior to surgery.