What are my pre-op fasting guidelines before surgery?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have my surgery scheduled at 11:30 in the morning. Is it fine if I wake up at 2:30 in the morning, and have a coffee and a small breakfast? Still, there will be eight and a half hours before my surgery. Please advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The Nil by mouth (an instruction to withhold food and fluids) status for any surgery should be at least six hours before surgery. So, if your surgery is planned for 11:30 in the morning, you can have your breakfast even at 3:30 or 4 in the morning.

However, it is preferred that the longer the duration of fasting, the less the chances of regurgitation (the expulsion of food or liquid from the esophagus or stomach). So, If you want to have breakfast at 2:30 in the morning you can have it. Make sure that you do not take any eatables or fluids six hours before surgery.

I hope this helps.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.