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What should you not do before anesthesia?
Should you not like eat or drink? #anesthesia
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Alison’s Answer
Hi Jessica,
There can be a variety of instructions, depending on the surgery and the type of anesthesia the patient will have. No eating, drinking, or other medications (especially blood thinners) are pretty common preparation steps, although the length of time a patient goes without will vary. For example, when I had my most major surgery, I was only allowed clear liquids for a full day before the surgery, and nothing at all for about 7 or 8 hours prior. On smaller surgeries, I could eat and drink normally until the night before, or eat normally until 12 hours before and then only have clear liquids after that. I had to skip taking my normal prescriptions, and once I arrived at the hospital the day of surgery, the doctor would provide one dose of anything necessary.
Hope this helps!
There can be a variety of instructions, depending on the surgery and the type of anesthesia the patient will have. No eating, drinking, or other medications (especially blood thinners) are pretty common preparation steps, although the length of time a patient goes without will vary. For example, when I had my most major surgery, I was only allowed clear liquids for a full day before the surgery, and nothing at all for about 7 or 8 hours prior. On smaller surgeries, I could eat and drink normally until the night before, or eat normally until 12 hours before and then only have clear liquids after that. I had to skip taking my normal prescriptions, and once I arrived at the hospital the day of surgery, the doctor would provide one dose of anything necessary.
Hope this helps!
Updated
Jason’s Answer
not a doctor but had surgery 5 weeks ago. No eating, drinking after midnight for me. Also smoking is a terrible idea. Ask the surgeon as sometimes there are other restrictions like aspirin and specific types of medications, even OTC.