Fasting Instructions for Afternoon Surgery
We have planned for you to have your surgery in the afternoon when you come into hospital. It is very important that you follow these instructions about when to stop eating and drinking (fasting) or your operation may be cancelled. Fasting helps to prevent inhaling (breathing in) stomach contents into the lungs while unconscious under general anaesthetic. Please have an early breakfast of toast and cereal before 07.00 hours. This will reduce your time without food or drink and make you feel more comfortable throughout the day.
You must not have any food or milky drinks after 07.00 hours. Milk counts as a food product as it takes longer to digest. After 07.00 hours you may then safely continue to drink clear fluids from the following list until 11.00 hours on the day of your surgery: • Water, (not fizzy) • Black tea, • Black coffee, • Herbal or fruit tea, • Blackcurrant juice We strongly recommend that you drink plenty of clear fluids until 11.00 hours to prevent you becoming dehydrated. However if you are a renal or cardiac patient your consultant might advise you to restrict your fluid intake.
Research has shown that drinking fluids up to two hours before surgery can: • reduce postoperative nausea (feeling sick) • vomiting (being sick) • help recovery. On the day of admission, please bring a bottle of still water. Ask your anaesthetist if you may continue to drink water for a little longer and at what time you must stop. Important note: If you have been given a laxative to take, such as Picolax, follow the fasting instructions given at your pre-operative assessment or on the instructions included with the laxative.
PrOpAs/FastpmAdult/7Sep 07
Fasting Instructions for Adults having Afternoon Surgery