Preparing for Your Anesthesia: Understanding Fasting

We understand that preparing for surgery can be a little nerve-wracking. One of the most important things you can do to ensure your safety during anesthesia is to follow our fasting instructions carefully. This leaflet explains why fasting is necessary and what you need to do. We're here to answer any questions you have – please don't hesitate to ask!

Why is Fasting Important?

When you're awake, your body has natural reflexes that prevent food and liquids from entering your lungs. If you vomit, you cough and splutter to clear your throat. However, when you're under anesthesia (or very drowsy), these reflexes are temporarily relaxed.

This means there's a risk that food or liquid in your stomach could come back up and be inhaled into your lungs. This is called aspiration, and it can lead to serious complications, including:

• Breathing difficulties: Aspiration can block your airways.
• Pneumonia: The acid in your stomach can irritate and damage your lungs, leading to a severe form of pneumonia.
• Suffocation: If undigested food is inhaled, it can make breathing very difficult.

Fasting ensures your stomach is empty, significantly reducing these risks and allowing us to provide you with the safest possible anesthesia.

What are the Fasting Guidelines?

The specific fasting guidelines you need to follow depend on the type of surgery and anesthesia you're receiving. Here's a general overview. Please read the specific instructions provided by your surgical team and anesthesia provider, as these take precedence.

• Solid Foods: You should not eat any solid foods for 6-8 hours before your scheduled surgery time. This includes things like meat, bread, fruit, vegetables, and candy.
• Clear Liquids: You may be able to drink clear liquids up to 2-4 hours before your surgery time. Clear liquids include:
  • Water
  • Clear juices (apple, white grape)
  • Black coffee or tea (no milk or cream)
  • Clear broth or bouillon

Important Notes on Clear Liquids: The exact time you can have clear liquids will be confirmed by your surgical team.

Special Considerations

• Children: Children, especially infants, can't tolerate long periods without food or fluids. We always try to minimize fasting times for children. The specific guidelines for children will be discussed with you by the anesthesiologist. Breast milk is usually processed faster than formula or cow's milk.
• Emergency Surgery: If you're having emergency surgery, it's possible that you're not able to follow the usual fasting guidelines. We will assess your situation and make the best decisions for your safety.
• Diabetes: If you have diabetes, please inform your surgical team and anesthesiologist. They will provide you with specific instructions regarding medication and food intake.

What if I Accidentally Eat or Drink Something?

Don't panic! It's understandable that mistakes happen. Immediately inform your surgical team or anesthesia provider. They will assess the situation and determine if your surgery needs to be rescheduled. Honesty is the best policy – it allows us to make the safest decisions for you.

Questions?

We want you to feel comfortable and informed. Please don't hesitate to ask your surgical team or anesthesia provider any questions you have about fasting or any other aspect of your care.